The Pacific century is off to a running start. The future of the U.S. Army is intrinsically tied to the Pacific region, as our vision statement implies: One team-Combat ready, technologically advanced Theater Army forces with an expeditionary command-and-control headquarters advancing security, stability and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Today's U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) soldiers are leading the way-conducting exercises in support of the U.S. Pacific Command's (USPACOM) theater security cooperation program (TSCP) and providing trained and ready forces for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a member of the USPA-COM team, we provide well-trained and well-equipped forces, including Stryker-equipped units conditioned in environmental extremes-from Alaska's tundra to the Pacific tropics-and terrain from mountains to desert. We offer the right force for any type of operation.
The opportunities and challenges of the Pacific region are unique. Sheer size-41 countries, 16 time zones, 50 percent of the Earth's surface and 56 percent of the world's population-truly presents a tyranny of distance, as our area spans 9,000 miles from Anchorage to Madagascar. Although the Pacific is often viewed as a maritime theater, it is important to note that seven of the world's 10 largest armies are within our area of responsibility, as well as three of the four most populous countries. Five of the seven nations that have signed mutual defense treaties with the United States are in the Pacific; two of the three active operations plans are also within the region; and 38 percent of all U.S. trade-$1.1 trillion-traverses the Pacific. Simply viewing the Pacific region as a maritime theater undersells the importance of Army forces to this strategically vital area.
As Henry Kissinger recently opined, there is "a shift in the center of gravity of international affairs from the Atlantic to the Pacific and Indian Oceans. ... The major states of Asia ... view each other ... as inherent competitors, even when they occasionally participate in cooperative ventures. ... Economic and financial globalization, environmental and energy imperatives, and the destructive power of modern weapons all impose a major effort at global cooperation." Equally significant: Terrorism, weapons proliferation, illegal narcotics, illegal immigration and piracy pose major threats to the stability of the region.
Transformation continues to be a major focus for USARPAC in this diverse and dynamic theater. Our modular design facilitates a global focus and global availability of assigned operational forces. New modular formations add dramatic operational mobility and ready and relevant power to the Pacific and out-of-theater expeditionary forces. Four Stryker brigade combat teams (BCT), one Infantry BCT, an Airborne Infantry BCT and a combat aviation brigade have completed transformation. We have activated the 311th Signal Command (Theater), the 8th Theater Sustainment Command and the 94th Army Air Missile Defense Command; we have also relocated the 8th Military Police Brigade from Korea to Hawaii. These theater-enabling commands permit full spectrum response capability across the Pacific. We will complete this part of our transformation by also standing up the 18th Theater Medical Command over the next year.
An important development associated with transformation is the creation of several new d�ployable headquarters throughout the Pacific region. The Theater Army (TA) Operational Command Post (OCP) in Hawaii stood up in June 2007, with the Main Command Post (MCP) beginning its transformation in June 2008. The Early Entry Command Post (EECP) of our TA is located in Alaska and augments the U.S. Army Alaska Headquarters. When their transformation is complete, both EECP and OCP will provide the USPACOM commander added flexible command and control throughout the region.
Along with transformation, USAR-PAC is heavily engaged in support of USPACOM's Phase O operations and TSCP. We build capacity and capability, enhance interoperability and strengthen the bonds of friendship with our neighbors and allies-39 countries-through numerous exercises and exchanges in the region. These engagements reassure friends and allies of America's long-term commitment to peace and stability throughout the Pacific region. This year, we will participate in approximately 75 events, including Joint, bilateral and multilateral exercises in China, India, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, South Korea and Cambodia. Yama Sakura is the most important bilateral exercise the U.S. Army conducts with our closest ally in the Pacific, Japan. In the past, I Corps played the pivotal partner and training role, acting as an Army forces, Joint force land component command or Joint task force headquarters. During this year's exercise in December, we will test and train the transformed TA command-and-control structure, including the MCP, OCP and EECP, as well as four of our theater-enabling commands. When the TA assumes point from I Corps in Yama Sakura, we will also be further strengthening our ties to the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force and serving as full partners for its ongoing efforts to integrate its service components into Joint operations, while furthering our own transformation efforts.
As part of the war on terrorism, USARPAC operates a Joint task force and is the executive agent for homeland defense for the USPACOM commander. This very important mission executes land domain operations to deter terrorist threats to the United States, including responding to and recovering from natural and man-made disasters. The Joint Task Force-Homeland Defense (JTF-HD) Joint area of operations includes the United States, its territories, possessions and commonwealths, and the compact nations in the Pacific. As part of JTF-HD, we participate in numerous exchanges, exercises, drills and workshops. These multiagency, multiservice exercises increase interoperability and information exchange between local authorities, first responders and state offices. USARPAC enjoys a dynamic collaboration with a full complement of Joint-interagency partners in order to synchronize DoD response capability in anticipation of requirements pre- and postcrisis events. JTF-HD validates its mission readiness in "real-world" responses as evidenced by the recent satellite shoot-down and was fully prepared for "consequence management." The JTF-HD series of full-scale exercises includes the annual hurricane exercise Makani Pahili, the pandemic-response exercise Lightning Rescue and several other DoD-centric homeland-defense tier I and tier II exercises. USARPAC is well-postured and well-trained to support and respond to threats or disasters in the Pacific region.
USARPAC continues to support the war on terrorism; our current operations tempo and deployments are testament to that resolve and commitment. We currently have more than 7,000 soldiers and professional civilians deployed to 19 locations in support of 21 operations. US-ARPAC supports Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines by providing the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines QSOTF-P) personnel with support from within the USARPAC and its theater enabler brigades. USPACOM established JSOTF-P to combat the regional war on terrorism as part of the greater war on terrorism. USARPAC also provides a security force to the command to assist with the hardening of facilities and provides convoy security and escorts during operations outside the base camp. These operations are linked to Exercise Balikatan by way of humanitarian assistance and civil/military operations, thus employing all aspects of counterinsurgency operations.
While balancing demands and challenges of transformation, the war on terrorism and TSCP, we remain absolutely committed to the quality of service for our soldiers, families and professional civilian workforce. The Army is investing heavily in military construction projects to improve where nearly 50,000 soldiers and civilians and more than 70,000 family members work, live and play. In Hawaii and Alaska, there are planned multiyear projects-including new barracks, motorpools, child-development centers, family housing and fire stations-totaling more than $4 billion. USARPAC is committed to sustaining the all-volunteer force, taking care of Army families and fostering positive community relations. Army Community Covenant signings are scheduled this year at Forts Wainwright, Greely and Richardson, Alaska, as well as Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. These signings recognize the broad support for and commitment to Army soldiers and families on the part of civic and business leaders, educators, and state and local government officials. USARPAC takes pride in the effective relationships and partnerships with the states and local communities at large.
The environment continues to be a priority for our command. We are committed to environmental responsibility that protects threatened and endangered species. The Army is protecting our environment with programs such as renewable energy sources for more than 11,000 homes for Army families. These energy-efficient homes use solar-power heaters, photovoltaic cells and radiant barriers under shingles, as well as low-flow fixtures to conserve water. We are committed to preservation of the lands entrusted to us, protection of sites of cultural or historic importance, and "green" building initiatives.
USARPAC is globally engaged and ready to meet current and future challenges. We are committed to defending U.S. interests and are well-postured and committed to the Pacific region and our nation.
[Sidebar]
Battery B (Banditos), 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, was the first Army unit to fire the 155 mm M777A2 lightweight howitzer in Baghdad, Iraq.
[Sidebar]
Army personnel distribute hurricane preparedness information at the command post of Makani Pahili 2008, an annual U.S. Pacific Command-directed Joint task force exercise.
[Sidebar]
Soldiers from Company C, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash., receive last-minute instructions on the operation of the M4 carbine during an exercise in India.
A U.S. Army Special Forces soldier floats above the ground during a friendship jump between the U.S. Army Special Forces and Armed Forces of the Philippines special operations members as part of Exercise Balikatan 2008.
[Sidebar]
Army family housing at Schofield Barracks uses the latest in "green" technology, including solar panels that provide energy to heat water.
[Author Affiliation]
By Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon
Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific
[Author Affiliation]
LT. GEN. BENJAMIN R. MIXON is the commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific. He previously commanded the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. From July 2006 to October 2007, he deployed the division serving as the commander of Task Force Lightning and Multi-National Division-North in Iraq. Gen. Mixon was commissioned as a secand lieutenant of Infantry upon graduation from North Georgia College. His first assignment was 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, where he served as a rifle platoon leader, scout platoon leader, company executive officer and company commander. He later commanded Company B, l-15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), and Company C, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Later command experience includes the 3-325th Airborne Battalion Combat Team in Italy and 1st Brigade, 327th Infantry Regiment, Wist Airborne Division (Air Assault). He served as the chief of staff, 101st Airborne Division; director of Joint Training and Exercises for the U.S. Joint Forces Command; and the assistant division commander (Operations) for the 82nd Airborne Division. Gen. Mixon served as chief of staff, XVIH Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C., during which time he was forward deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan, where he participated in OEF as the director of the staff of the Combined Joint Task Force-180. Upon return, he served as the director of Operations, J-3, U.S. Southern Command. Gen. Mixon is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Service Staff School, Command and General Staff College, School of Advanced Military Studies and the U.S. Army War College. Gen. Mixon has an MPA from Western Kentucky University and a master's degree in military art and science, theater operations, from the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
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