Chiefs of Defense and/or their representatives from 23 nations discussed a broad range of common security challenges during the12th annual Chiefs of Defense Conference (CHOD) in Hawaii Oct. 26–29, but also took advantage of the time together to build on important relationships.
“First and foremost (the conference) is a mechanism for the chiefs of defense to establish relationships between themselves,” said U.S. Navy Adm. Robert F. Willard, commander of U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) during an Oct. 29 media event. “For these gentlemen to have personal relationships that allow them to pick up the telephone when a disaster occurs, and speak to a counterpart, and count on their mutual friendship to generate mutual action, was time and again discussed around the table.”
Common Security Challenges
Over the course of the conference discussions touched on broad topics such as Asia-Pacific Security trends, as well as specific issues such as the military implications of climate change and energy, and military and civilian disaster coordination.
The disaster relief discussions were large and in depth, Willard said, including a comprehensive overview of the response in the wake of last month’s tsunami in the South Pacific.
Relationships
“Being able to meet the people that we work with and discuss the arrangements we have, both formal and informal, which allowed to us achieve the good results that we have achieved with the series of recent disasters, has been extremely beneficial for us,” said New Zealand’s Vice Chief of Defence Force, Rear Adm. Jack Steer.
Rear Adm. Jean-Louis Vichot, joint commander of French Armed Forces in French Polynesia echoed these sentiments when discussing French support of relief efforts in Tonga, while New Zealand focused on Samoa. “It has been an example of our relations put in light by such disasters.”
Nations attending this year's conference included: Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, France, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Tonga, Vietnam, and the United States.
“Interpersonal relationships that are achieved in a week like this together with an exchange of information are very fulfilling,” Adm. Willard added.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Relationships a Common Theme during Chiefs of Defense Conference
Monday, October 26, 2009
PACOM Signs Energy Strategy in Cooperation with State of Hawaii
U.S. Pacific Command, in cooperation with the state of Hawaii, released its strategy Oct. 23 for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and assisting in the development of alternative, renewable sources of energy.
Signed by Maj. Gen. Stephen Tom, PACOM’s chief of staff, the strategy defines PACOM’s commitment to help the state in efforts to rely on 70 percent clean energy by the year 2030.
The PACOM Energy Strategy Cooperation with the State of Hawaii is a first of its kind, linking a Department of Defense (DoD), Combatant Command with the Department of Energy and a state government energy plan.
The goal of PACOM "going green" is to reduce the taxpayers burden while reducing DoD reliance on fossil fuels, develop renewable energy sources, reduce greenhouse emissions, emphasize sustainability and exercise global environmental leadership.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Senior Leaders to Meet at Chiefs of Defense Conference
Senior military officers of 22 nations will gather in Hawaii next week for the 12th annual Chiefs of Defense Conference (CHOD), which is scheduled to run Oct. 26-29.
This year's conference is hosted by Adm. Robert Willard, commander of U.S. Pacific Command.
The purpose of the conference is to bring together senior military leaders from nations in the Asia-Pacific region to meet and discuss mutual security challenges, improve mutual relationships and foster security cooperation. The conference theme is Common Defense Challenges in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Nations attending this year's conference include: Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, France, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Tonga, Vietnam, and the United States.
Last year's conference was co-hosted by the U.S. and Indonesia, and held in Bali.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Timor-Leste Military Training Exercise Winding Down
U.S. Sailors and Marines have spent the past week off the coast and on shore in the Southeast Asia nation of Timor-Leste conducting training and other activities with the Timor-Leste Defense Force and Australian armed forces.
Marine Exercise, or MAREX, began Oct. 14 with the arrival of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) on board USS Bonhomme Richard. Since then, a variety of training activities have taken place, focused on areas such as basic infantry skills.
The exercise has also included a heavy emphasis on medical and engineering projects.
U.S. Navy medical professionals from 11th MEU have been assisting local healthcare workers in providing limited medical and dental care in the Maubara, Occussi and Laga areas. Marines also partnered with local government and education officials to repair a school in Maubara.
In the midst of the training, which included a noncombatant evacuation operation (NEO) drill with American citizens in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy, Sailors from Bonhomme Richard conducted several community service projects in Dili, donated medical and hygiene supplies, and participated in sporting events with their Timorese hosts.
On Oct. 17, President Jose Ramos-Jorta visited Bonhomme Richard and thanked Sailors and Marines for their efforts during the exercise.
MAREX follows closely on the heels of the first formal military-to-military talks between the U.S. and Timor-Leste, during which both sides agreed to expand military-to-military activities.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Willard Assumes Command of PACOM
Navy Adm. Robert F. Willard assumed command of U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) Oct. 19, relieving Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating during a traditional ceremony at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii.
Hundreds of guests attended, included Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen.
See coverage by the American Forces Press Service, Stars and Stripes, Associated Press, and KITV.
Willard arrives from U.S. Pacific Fleet, where he served as the commander responsible for U.S. Navy operations throughout Asia-Pacific. He is now responsible for overseeing all U.S. military operations in the region, which encompasses about half the earth’s surface, stretching from the waters off the west coast of the U.S. to the western border of India, and from Antarctica to the North Pole.
Keating, who took command of PACOM in March, 2007, is retiring from the Navy following more than 42 years of service, during which he served in a variety of Navy and joint leadership positions, including U.S. Northern Command.
There are few regions as culturally, socially, economically, and geo-politically diverse as the Asia-Pacific. The 36 nations that comprise the Asia-Pacific region are home to more than 50% of the world’s population, three thousand different languages, several of the world’s largest militaries, and five nations allied with the U.S. through mutual defense treaties. Two of the world’s three largest economies are located in the Asia-Pacific along with ten of the fourteen smallest.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
U.S, Indian Armies Take Training to Higher Level
Approximately 250 U.S. Soldiers and 17 Stryker vehicles are in India for the next two weeks and began a military training exercise Oct. 12 that is the first of its kind.
The exercise, called Yudh Abhyas, is an annual training event between the two armies, but this year is the first to include U.S. and Indian mechanized equipment and forces. In the past, the exercise has been limited to scenario-driven, commander-level exercises, explained U.S. Army Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, commander of U.S. Army, Pacific in a recent American Forces Press Service article on the topic.
This year, the exercise includes a multi-echelon, full spectrum operation based on peacekeeping, according to a U.S. Army, Pacific news release. The exercise is designed to promote cooperation between the two armies through training, cultural and professional exchanges. Participants will be engaged in a variety of missions, from joint planning and execution, a variety of artillery ranges both in and out of vehicles, to cordon and search operations as well as search and rescue training. The exercise will end with a live fire demonstration involving the Stryker vehicle.
Exercises between the Indian and U.S. militaries continue to increase in scope and sophistication and are indicative of a positive and steadily improving relationship based on common interests in areas such as peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and maritime security.
The 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, is representing the U.S. Army during the exercise.
Follow the exercise on U.S. Army, Pacific’s exercise website, and on Flicrk.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Arrival of Helicopters Speeds Indonesia Relief as Philippines Focus Shifts
USS Denver and USS McCampbell arrived off the coast of Padang, Indonesia in the early morning hours of Oct. 9 and their embarked helicopters were immediately put to use delivering needed supplies and assisting the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) with assessments of remote areas. Meanwhile in the Philippines, just as U.S. military flood relief efforts in the capital of Manila were coming to an end Oct. 8, flooding farther north caused by a second storm resulted in a new request for military assistance.
Indonesia
As shown in a series of Associated Press photos, the first order of business for Marine Corps CH-53 helicopters was the delivery of more than 9,000 pounds of relief supplies to the remote mountain village of Koto Tingii Oct. 9. The delivery was coordinated by USAID. Navy SH-60 helicopters also flew, providing airlift for USAID officials, allowing them to survey outlying areas that have been difficult or impossible to reach since the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck west Sumatra Sept. 30.
Close coordination is taking place between U.S. military officials, the Indonesian Armed Forces, USAID and local leaders to schedule military airlift and other apply other military capabilities.
The Air Force Humanitarian Assistance Rapid Response Team (HARRT) field medical clinic is fully operational and 599 patients have received acute care or minor surgical procedures over the past three days.
Philippines
USS Harpers Ferry and USS Tortuga, along with members of III Marine Expeditionary Force, are now in the Lingayen Gulf, hours north of Manila. Mudslides and floods caused by Typhoon Parma earlier this week have left more than 100 dead in northern Luzon. They are working with their counterparts from the Armed Forces of the Philippines to build a plan for maximizing available Navy and Marine assets to provide assistance as needed.
Marines and Sailors spent the previous week in metro Manila providing relief in the wake of flooding from Tropical Storm Ketsana Sept. 26. They delivered more than 28,000 food packages coordinated by local businesses, provided basic medical services to more than 4,000, and cleared thousands of meters of roads and debris.
For a daily update that highlights ongoing relief efforts, see the fact sheet on the Disaster Relief page of the U.S. Pacific Command website.
For regular updates throughout the day, join U.S. Pacific Command on Twitter and Facebook.
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