Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

HONOLULU, Hawaii  –  

Senior non-commissioned officers, senior officers, warrant officers, allies, and partners across the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) area of responsibility came together May 14 through the 16 for three days of engaging Senior Leadership discussions at the annual Land Forces Pacific (LANPAC) Leadership Forum. This year, high-performing military leaders from Pacific units participated in this forum, showcasing their leadership and experiences while commemorating the past and those who fought for our freedom.

The LANPAC Leadership Forum, organized by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Center for Leadership, is an annual gathering that offers learning opportunities, focusing on Joint and Coalition Team Building in the Indo-Pacific. Geared towards providing professional development and networking opportunities for leaders throughout the Indo-Pacific, the forum featured interactive learning, group exercises, and engaging Senior Leader discussions. The forum was a valuable platform for participants to connect with others across the USARPAC organization and strengthened alliances with our sister services, Allies, and partners across the USINDOPACOM area of responsibility, highlighting the potential for growth and development.

The forum began with speeches by Col. Brandon Teague, the 5th Security Forces Assistance Brigade Commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Smith. They focused on being good team members while working with international coalition forces and building teams within the organization. “Overcommunication is very difficult in our formation,” said Col. Teague. “Being able to communicate in different ways was something that, as a Brigade commander, I took a hard look at. Communication and knowing your environment can solve problems before they happen.”

The day concluded with inspirational talks from Lt. Gen. (Retired) Leslie C. Smith and U.S. Army Combat Veteran and Gold Star Father Allen Hoe, who discussed their experiences, history, and leadership in today’s army.

On the second day, participants visited the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, celebrating “Inspiration to Lead.” The visit featured moving stories from the past and the ongoing legacy of military leadership. Speakers included Allen Hoe and Lt. Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve, who emphasized the importance of leadership and dedication to service. Command Sgt. Maj. Jack H. Love and Command Sgt. Maj (Retired) Mario O. Terenas also spoke on being ambassadors in the workplace and the importance of partners and allies in training to meet standards.

The final day featured a powerful talk by Brig. Gen Jeff VanAntwerp, who discussed the importance of vulnerability and the opportunity to build close connections. “Think less about yourself, and consider others more,” said Brig. Gen VanAntwerp, Deputy Chief of Staff.

He highlighted that addressing our biggest problems requires overcoming pride and embracing openness and collaboration. The day concluded with Lt. Gen. (Retired) John W. Morgan, who spoke about the roles of strategic and operational leaders, emphasizing the importance of vision, adaptability, and decisiveness in leadership. “When we set the vision and tone on how we want the organization to be like and how we want it to operate, we communicate with all the soldiers in our formation. You will be creating an intent and purpose on how you are going to achieve the mission,” said Lt. Gen. (Retired) Morgan, Defense & Intelligence Leader, IBM Consulting.

​The LANPAC Leadership Forum brought together Army Soldiers, Joint Partners, Allies, and Partners in the Indo-Pacific region. This multilateral event promoted professional development and enhanced military-to-military relationships, underscoring the integral role of engaging allies and partners across the USINDOPACOM area of responsibility.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines  –  

Elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Philippine Marine Corps’ 3rd Marine Brigade conducted the largest combined military convoy to date on Palawan Island, Philippines, May 15, 2024.

The convoy consisted of four KM450s and two KM250 Philippine Marine Corps trucks, eight U.S. Marine Corps Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and two Ultralight Tactical Vehicles assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 15 and Battalion Landing Team 1/5, and a force of more than 80 mounted personnel from all the participating units.

The convoy was conducted as part of Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum, a series of bilateral exchanges and training opportunities between U.S. Marines and Philippine Marines aimed at bolstering the Philippine Marine Corps’ coastal defense strategy while supporting the modernization efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“This is the first time we have done a convoy like this with our allies in Palawan, especially over this distance,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Chance Hogan, a combat engineer officer and a lead convoy planner for CLB-15. “For it to be so successful and conduct such a large integrated convoy makes us excited for us to continue to build upon this event in the future.”

After completing all mission planning, coordination, and pre-combat inspections together at Philippine Marine Base Camp Rodolpho, the vehicles departed and traveled more than 30 miles south along Palawan’s eastern coast using roads and highways to arrive at Kamuning Beach, simulating a rapid response for a mobile coastal defense.

Once near their objective, Philippine and U.S. Marines dismounted, set security and used small unmanned aerial vehicle systems to reconnoiter the area before guides led the force into positions for blocking an enemy amphibious landing.  The combined force developed an integrated coastal engagement area, integrating obstacles with direct and indirect fires weapon systems entrenched in concealed positions.  Meanwhile, CLB-15 Marines sustained the force with fresh water using a Lightweight Water Purification System, burying the system’s hoses under the sand to conceal them as they entered the waterline.

In the week leading up to the convoy, Marines from CLB-15 conducted detailed road and bridge engineering surveys to confirm the convoy vehicles would not impact any of the local infrastructure.

The 15th MEU is under the command and control of Commander, Task Force 76/3, employed by U.S. 7th Fleet to operate with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.

​Media should direct all questions about ACDC to 1stLt John Fischer at john.fischer@usmc.mil.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan  –  

The 35th Fighter Wing conducted the first ever trilateral Combat Ammunition Production Exercise (CAPEX) with munitions specialists from Pacific Air Forces, Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) May 6-9, 2024.

U.S., Australian and Japanese service members exchanged mission knowledge and operated around the clock to build and generate approximately 1,100 munitions within 80 hours. During the exercise, participants focused on building munitions on a large scale, in both deployed and home station environments.

CAPEX heavily emphasizes readiness, ensuring that Airmen and partners possess the knowledge, skills and experience to rapidly build, transport and deploy bombs in the event of wartime operations. 

International cooperation not only strengthens interoperability but also allows participants to learn from one another and build camaraderie. Through the four day exercise, U.S. Airmen had the opportunity to see how the JASDF and RAAF approach bomb building and pick up tips and tricks from them, enhancing their skills and knowledge.

The exercise focused on building Guided Bomb Units (GBUs) and other munitions en masse, highlighting the critical role of munitions specialists in producing sustained combat air power in any scenario.

“Participants will walk away with enhanced bomb-building skills and Agile Combat Employment concepts, or the ability to build on the fly with little to no equipment or support,” said Staff Sgt. Sean Davila, Conventional Maintenance crew chief. “Our biggest challenge is when we go out to bare bones bases and work with what we have, making quick adjustments to get the job done.”

CAPEX not only proves that the 35th FW is ready and capable of engaging in large-scale munitions production alongside the JASDF and RAAF, but also demonstrates that the U.S. Air Force is not alone in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“The skills we’re working on here at CAPEX with PACAF and JASDF personnel are going to help us in working together in an alliance and keep a rules-based order,” said Royal Australian Air Force Warrant Officer Timothy Duke, armament technician and detachment commander. “For Australia, in our area of the Pacific south of the Equator, that’s very important to us. We’re here to learn how to support our allies in an alliance and hopefully, we can continue to do that.”

​Through exercises like CAPEX, the 35th FW embodies the importance of readiness and international cooperation, demonstrating that Airmen are not only prepared for various contingencies, but also are capable of working alongside partner nations in combat operations anytime and anywhere.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CHOIBALSAN, Mongolia  –  

Exercise Gobi Wolf 2024 culminated with resounding success during a closing ceremony held in Choibalsan, Mongolia, May 10, marking another significant stride in disaster preparedness and global collaboration.

Co-organized by the Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Army Pacific, this year’s exercise exemplified the spirit of partnership and shared commitment to fortifying resilience against disasters worldwide.

Highlighting this aspect, Tech. Sgt. Frankie Bolaños, a firefighter with the Pacific Air Forces, said that the most fulfilling aspect of his job is the opportunity to travel to other countries, meet fellow professionals, exchange skills, and learn from different cultures.

“It’s that gratification of just being able to share with people that have the same goal in mind,” said Bolaños, who completed his second Gobi Wolf and third Disaster Response Exercise and Exchange. “Once you break through that cultural barrier, the humor is the same, the skills are the same, and as far as the nature of the business, everyone’s just hungry to help people.”

Bolaños said that he was able to apply his skills and experiences gained from Gobi Wolf 2022 to the 2024 exercise. During the planning phase, he provided feedback, allowing the planning team to anticipate challenges and ensure a smoother operation. Furthermore, NEMA’s enhancement in their capabilities helped improve the exercise.

“We set out a goal to translate this year’s Gobi Wolf content, utilizing our own personnel, and I see that it has been a success in that regard,” said Brig. Gen. B. Uuganbayar, deputy director for the Mongolian NEMA, who also complimented the overall success of the four-day exercise. “Gobi Wolf is an important initiative that expands the capacities of our personnel, increases our security against disasters, and builds upon our partnerships and alliances.” 

This year’s exercise encompassed a myriad of training including an Expert Academic Discussion, Table Top Exercise and Field Training Exercise, delving into various facets of disaster response. Topics ranged from earthquake response and firefighting to hazmat management, field hospitals, and swift water rescue.

Additionally, Uuganbayar said that academic discussions provided insights into Mongolia’s disaster protection system, emergency operations protocols, incident command structures, and coordination of international humanitarian aid efforts.

The exercise drew participation from 12 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, France, India, Republic of Korea, Maldives, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. The collective expertise of more than 350 participants from government agencies, ministries, disaster protection services, military, law enforcement, and international humanitarian organizations underscored the exercise’s global significance.

Bolaños noted that although participants initially exhibited some shyness, it quickly dissipated as the exercise gained momentum. The atmosphere transformed as the sounds of quiet exchanges turned into a wail of sirens and voices exchanging crucial information all in a coordinated chaos, culminating in shared laughter and camaraderie.

As Exercise Gobi Wolf 2024 concluded, participants departed with enriched knowledge, strengthened partnerships, and a renewed dedication to safeguarding communities against the ever-present threat of natural disasters.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

KOROR, Republic of Palau  –  

A team of engineers and representatives of the Department of Defense (DoD) met with government leaders and residents of the Republic of Palau to discuss the proposed designation of a new defense site in Peleliu, May 13 and 15.

About 200 residents attended the public engagements held at the Peleliu state office and in the Senate Building in Koror.

Judy Sanchez, deputy political-military advisor, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Senior Military Official to Palau, and Harry Elliott, counsel for the INDOPACOM Senior Military Official to Palau, led the community engagements. Engineers from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Marine Corps shared details about the proposed defense site, which include repairs and expansion to the Peleliu Airstrip and Peleliu’s South Dock.

“We have a strong partnership with the Palauan government and people. When the Government of Palau sought to improve the infrastructure in Peleliu, we looked together to the designation of this new defense site to strengthen the U.S.’s ability to secure and defend Palau and meet this request,” said Elliott.

“We are one Pacific family, and the intent of these sites is to promote the quality of life for the people in Palau, and to enhance our capabilities throughout the region to include humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, and power projection. Open and honest communication will remain a key element as we work with the government and people of Palau to reach our mutual goals and we are committed to involving the Palauan people every step of the way,” Elliott said.

Peleliu State Gov. Emais Roberts, Palau Minister of Public Infrastructure and Industries Charles Obichang, Palau National Security Coordinator Jennifer Anson, Peleliu State Delegate Nace Soalablai, and Speaker of the Peleliu State Legislature Billy Rekemel also attended.

Roberts remarked that the meetings were a positive step toward the designation of the new defense site and thanked the team for taking the time to include the community in the conversation.

“It’s all about partnership,” Roberts said. “The Republic of Palau and State of Peleliu asked the U.S. government, asked the Department of Defense to help fix the airfield for our benefit, and also for the benefit of the military if they had the use for it.”

“I told the people of Peleliu that anything that’s happening needs to come in front of the public, everyone needs to know about it, we’ll have a consensus of where to go, and then we’ll proceed,” Roberts continued. “The last two meetings, one in Peleliu, the one in Koror, so far everybody is on board. They want this project to move as fast as possible. The benefit is so great for the people of Peleliu.”

The team hosted an additional meeting to address specific questions from landowners in Peleliu.

Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, INDOPACOM Senior Military Official to Palau shared his gratitude to the Palauan government and residents who participated in the meetings.

“We are thankful to the Government and people of Palau for their partnership and their continued support of our U.S. Armed Forces in the region. We are committed to being good partners as we work together to defend the homeland, deter aggression, and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Huffman said.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

FORT CARSON, Colo.  –  

A U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group helped to strengthen EOD interoperability with the Republic of Korea Army.

Capt. Paul Sohn, the future operations officer for the U.S. Army 71st Ordnance Group (EOD), served as the action officer and translator for a visit by the ROK Army Logistics Command to the headquarters of the 71st EOD Group, the group that commands U.S. Army EOD units west of the Mississippi River.

Headquartered on Fort Carson, Colorado, the 71st EOD Group commands three battalions and 18 EOD companies stationed on bases in Colorado, California, Washington, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missouri and New Mexico.

Col. Brennen C. Fitzgerald, the commander of the 71st EOD Group, hosted Brig. Gen. Yi Won Jae, the commanding general of the ROK Army Ammunition Support Command, at the headquarters.

Sohn facilitated the delivery of the 71st EOD Group capabilities brief, an equipment walkthrough and discussions about EOD operations.

“This event improved our relationship through the opportunity to sit down, face-to-face and create a meaningful connection through humble conversation,” said Sohn. “Thanks to heavy communication prior to the visit itself, we were able to prepare answers to all their questions when they had arrived.”

Sohn said much of the discussion was focused on the EOD team leader process in the U.S. Army and future bilateral EOD training events.

“We believe this improved the interoperability between the 71st EOD Group and ROK Army Logistics Command because it provided them a platform to request integration into future training exercises,” said Sohn. “They departed with trust in the 71st EOD Group’s forces, a heightened understanding of different lead times required for planning for joint exercises and an excitement for both nation’s EOD technicians to grow their skills together.”

Sohn said the ROK Army Logistics Command will work to integrate ROK Army EOD techs into the 71st EOD Group EOD Team of the Year competitions. He added that company-level events might also be conducted to leverage the collective expertise of both nation’s EOD units.

A native of Glenview, Illinois, and graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Sohn lived in South Korea for four years during elementary and middle school.

“Being able to speak Korean was helpful as it provided a level of relief to the ROK Army party as well as ease to the 71st EOD Group’s Commander Col. Fitzgerald to speak effectively without limitation,” said Sohn. “As a team, we went above and beyond to ensure successful execution.”

Sohn was the 1st platoon leader for the Fort Carson, Colorado-based 764th EOD Company during a nine-month deployment to Syria and Iraq in support of the 10th Mountain Division during Operation Inherent Resolve.

He served as a team member during a response to an unmanned aerial system in Erbil, Iraq.

“I wanted to become an EOD officer because of the opportunity to work closely with some of the smartest people in a small team environment,” said Sohn. “A typical platoon in the Army consists of 40 people. An EOD Platoon is comprised of eight techs including the platoon leader.”

“You get to grow an exceptional bond with your teammates in an EOD platoon,” said Sohn. “There’s a deeper layer of trust that you get to operate from that may be rare to find elsewhere. I’m truly grateful that I got EOD as my branch.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – Adm. Samuel J. Paparo assumed command of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command from Adm. John C. Aquilino during a change of command ceremony May 3, 2024. 
 
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III presided over the event onboard Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., heads of state, chiefs of defense, and other dignitaries in attendance.
 
“This command’s mission is at the heart of American security in the 21st century. Every day, Indo-Pacific Command keeps the watch in our priority theater of operations,” Austin said in opening remarks. “And together, with our unmatched network of Allies and partners, you’re advancing our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
 
Aquilino, a native of Huntington, NY, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1986. He assumed command as the 26th Commander of USINDOPACOM in 2021.
 
“This command has stepped up under the extraordinary leadership of Adm. Aquilino, helped transform our posture, strengthened our readiness, deepened our alliances and partnerships,” said Austin. “All of that has bolstered our deterrence.”
 
As commander, Aquilino was charged with leading more than 380,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Guardians, Coast Guardsmen and Department of Defense Civilians, and maintained responsibility for all U.S. military activities in the Indo-Pacific, covering 38 nations, 14 time zones and more than 50 percent of the world’s population.
 
Aquilino expressed gratitude to the service members at the forefront of defending stability and security throughout the region. He also recognized the crucial role Allies and partners have played in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
 
“Mr. Secretary, I’m thankful that you, the President, and Congress have entrusted me to this amazing position. When I assumed command three years ago, I said I’d give you my full and unwavering commitment to take on this great responsibility and do my best to meet it,” Aquilino said. “I hope you believe I’ve met that mark.”
 
“[This command is] the best of the best, in the most crucial theater, against the most challenging threat. They understand the theater, they understand the people, they understand the cultures, and they are the right people at the right time,” Aquilino said. “Pappy, they will serve you well.”
 
Paparo takes charge as the 27th Commander of USINDOPACOM, following his command of U.S. Pacific Fleet, from 2021 to 2024.
 
Paparo, a native of Morton, Pennsylvania, and graduate of Villanova University, brings decades of leadership experience and regional knowledge to the role. 
 
His previous commands include Carrier Strike Group 10, George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, Carrier Air Wing 7, and Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195. Ashore, Paparo held various fleet and joint positions, including Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces.
 
A distinguished U.S. Naval Aviator and TOPGUN graduate, Paparo has logged over 6,000 flight hours and executed 1,100 carrier landings.
 
During the ceremony, Paparo reflected on the pivotal role of USINDOPACOM in regional peace and security and reaffirmed his commitment to the region and to strengthening alliances with our Allies and partners.
 
“The [USINDOPACOM] team is uniquely ready to shape the current strategic environment to our nation and our Allies and partners’ advantage. We must act now with a sense of urgency,” Paparo said. “We set out on this path with the effort to regain the advantage under Adm. Davidson, we built on that progress together in which we seized the initiative under ‘Lung’ Aquilino, and now onward to prevail. May God bless America and let’s get to work.”
 
USINDOPACOM, in concert with other U.S. government agencies, protects and defends the territory of the U.S., its people and its interests. With Allies and partners, USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression, and, when necessary, fighting to win. This approach is based on partnership, presence and military readiness.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

DOD Spokesperson LTC Martin Meiners provided the following readout:

Dr. Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, spoke by video teleconference today with People’s Republic of China (PRC) Major General Li Bin, Director of the Central Military Commission Office for International Military Cooperation, to discuss issues of mutual concern.

The two officials discussed U.S.-PRC defense relations, and Assistant Secretary Ratner highlighted the importance of maintaining open lines of communication in defense channels to reduce the risks of miscommunication. He reaffirmed the importance of holding calls between the Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the PRC Southern and Eastern Theater Commanders, following the November 2023 announcement by President Biden and PRC President Xi Jinping that both countries would arrange telephone conversations between theater commanders. He also discussed the importance of operational safety across the Indo-Pacific region and underscored that the U.S. commitment to allies in the Indo-Pacific and globally remains ironclad.

The two sides also discussed regional and global security issues. Assistant Secretary Ratner underscored the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, and he raised concerns over dangerous PRC actions against lawfully operating Philippine vessels in the South China Sea. He also discussed the relationship between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), as well as serious concern over the PRC’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base that enables Russia’s war in Ukraine. Assistant Secretary Ratner also reiterated that the United States remains committed to our longstanding one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three U.S.-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances, and he reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Strait.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SUBIC BAY, Philippines  –  

3rd Marine Littoral Regiment concluded their participation in the 39th iteration of Balikatan, an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military, on May 10, 2024. At the request of the Philippine government, instead of returning to their home base in Oahu, Hawaii, 900 U.S. Marines and Sailors from 3rd MLR will remain in Luzon, Philippines, to continue conducting unit-level training and subject matter expert exchanges with their Philippine Marine Corps counterparts under the Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum. ACDC is a series of bilateral exchanges and training opportunities between U.S. Marines and Philippine Marines aimed at bolstering the Philippine Marine Corps’ Coastal Defense strategy while supporting the modernization efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In support of this year’s Balikatan exercise, from April 15 to May 10, U.S. Marines and Sailors with 3rd MLR and its three subordinate battalions – 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion, and 3rd Littoral Logistics Battalion – spread out across nine training areas on Luzon. Alongside Philippine Marines with 4th Marine Brigade and the Coastal Defense Regiment, 3rd MLR conducted bilateral training designed to strengthen interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. Key events labeled as Combined Joint All-Domain Operations incorporated elements of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as the Philippine Army and Marine Corps. These events enabled the combined force to exercise and demonstrate the very capabilities 3rd MLR is built to perform, such as Maritime Key Terrain Security Operations and Counter-landing Live Fire.

“3rd MLR is postured in the Philippines as a ready, capable, and credible fighting force focused on preserving Philippine territorial integrity and supporting our PMC partners’ Archipelagic Coastal Defense Concept,” said U.S. Marine Col. John Lehane, commanding officer, 3rd MLR. “BK24 demonstrated how the U.S. Marines with 3rd MLR can integrate into any command-and-control node in the Indo-Pacific theater to conduct Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations, support maritime domain awareness, attack enemy maritime targets, conduct expeditionary strike, and support operations in the information environment in order to enable the Combined and Joint Forces.”

Although May 11 marked 3rd MLR’s transition from BK24 to ACDC, 3rd MLR remains focused on enhancing interoperability with the PMC to advance their Archipelagic Coastal Defense Concept and modernization efforts. This month-long exercise block will include bilateral training with the PMC’s 4 MBDE and CDR designed to build upon and refine the tactics, techniques, and procedures practiced during BK24. Littoral Reconnaissance Zone Cobra, the primary CJADO event taking place during ACDC, will integrate elements of 3rd MLR, 4 MBDE, and the CDR to assist the Combined and Joint Forces with sea control and power projection in Northern Luzon.

“Maritime sensing and surveillance are key components of providing commanders, as well as the U.S.’s Allies and Partners, with the situational awareness required to posture forces and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific theater,” said Lt. Col. John Strange, an operations officer with 3rd MLR. “The ability to provide and enhance multi-domain maritime awareness is one of 3rd MLR’s unique value propositions to the Combined and Joint Forces that will be demonstrated during ACDC.”

By collaborating closely, 3rd MLR and the PMC enhance their collective operational effectiveness, ensuring that the PMC is better equipped to address regional security challenges and contributing to a more stable and secure maritime environment.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

HONOLULU, Hawaii  –  

What does it take to win in the complex Indo-Pacific region?

Spanning over 4,000 miles and consisting mostly of the air and maritime domain, as well as densely populated land masses, the Indo-Pacific creates logistical challenges further complicated by the tyranny of distance and time – both of which feed into the calculus of providing sustained health service support for U.S. Troops.

“With 80 percent of the world’s population living in this region – and growing – in some of the most densely populated megacities and pieces of terrain,” said 18th Medical Command Commanding General U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paula Lodi during a commander’s corner presentation. “If you are into taking care of people – across a range of operations from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, to large-scale combat, the fact that six out of every 10 people in the world live here is profound.”

Through the lens of U.S. military forces, the tyranny of distance is a challenge presented by the space between the U.S. and China – its military pacing threat in the region.

Additionally, the time it takes to respond to unpredictable disasters including earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions is commonly known as the tyranny of time. All of which have unique dilemmas and problem sets Army Medicine must be able to satisfy when called upon.

“Two pillars of Army Medicine, health service support and force health protection, are certainly key in competition and have unique challenges in crisis – be it man made or natural,” Lodi said.

Army medicine directly and indirectly effects essential elements of whole-of-government successes in the Indo-Pacific. 18th MEDCOM campaigns, has oversight of global health engagements, and experiments to continue to posture for medical readiness of the U.S. Army Pacific and U.S. land Forces throughout the region.

“If you are a warfighter, the theater medical command campaigns through operation pathways and the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center to demonstrate readiness and improve Joint interior lines,” Lodi said. “If you are a partner, we bring the breadth and depth of the Army Medicine enterprise to bear in execution of a comprehensive Global Health Engagement strategy to improve interoperability and positional advantage.

“If you are industry, we leverage Army Futures Command and our Medical Center of Excellence to infuse experimentation into our operations in support of modernization (and) continuous transformation.” she continued.

Campaigning

18th MEDCOM recently demonstrated how it uses exterior lines to build interior lines during Balikatan 24 with its Allies in the Philippines. Its approach was three prong: tactical, operational, and strategic.

“Tactically, clinical subject matter experts conducted shoulder-to-shoulder training with our Armed Forces Philippines Allies strengthening interoperability,” she said. “Operationally, we coordinated and synchronized the deployment of USARPAC’s surgical detachment and [Continental United States] based field hospital and medical logistics capabilities to support high-risk training.

“Strategically, the medical logistics enterprise rehearsed at echelon validating facilities for forward posture, managing shipments from Theater Warehouse in Japan and direct from [Defense Logistics Agency] to the Joint Theater Distribution Center,” Lodi said. “This strategic initiative opened a new commercial corridor demonstrating resilience with redundant lines of communication to reinforce our interior lines.”

Global Health Engagement Strategy

In FY23, the “Pacific Knights” synchronized medical effects of over 200 engagements and was directly responsible for the execution of 15 GHEs by leveraging Operation Pathways.

Lodi said leveraging Pathways for opportunities and deliberately focusing on areas and with partners we don’t access through Pathways was tailored to specific capability gaps and mutually beneficial actions.

The effort was rewarding for relationship building across the Indo-Pacific.

“Output of this effort is understanding of shared challenges, interoperability, and agreements that enable rapid operationalization of capability when necessary.

Experimentation

Challenges in the Indo-Pacific requires U.S. Army Medicine leaders to continue evolving as they keep pace with China.

“To achieve the intent of continuous transformation and meet modernization objectives,” Lodi said, “we must infuse experimentation and modernization efforts whenever possible.”

18th MEDCOM helps inform USARPAC, Army Futures Command, and Army Medicine to modernize the medical force.

“Through a range of initiatives related to blood,” Lodi said, “from research and development of emerging blood products to advanced methods of storage and delivery on the battlefield, telemedicine continues to evolve as a force multiplier.

“From improving access to behavioral health professionals to enabling trauma surgical consultations on the battlefield,” she said, “the future may see surgeons remotely operating far forward robotics performing lifesaving procedures near the Forward Line of Troops.

18th MEDCOM sets the Joint theater for medical operations while increasing its strategic posture by synchronizing and coordinating health service support and medical logistics across its more than 4,000 square mile area of responsibility.

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