The Association of the U.S. Army sponsored the second annual "Land Power in the Pacific" (LANPAC) Symposium and Exposition at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel in Honolulu, April 8–10.The LANPAC symposium is a forum that brings together several key leaders, commands, and other national and local organizations focusing on the landpower capabilities throughout the Pacific region.The AUSA president, Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret., opened the symposium with remarks on why landpower forces have been and remain important in the Pacific."The U.S. military has been in the Pacific region for well over 100 years," he said.Adding, "More than six of the world’s most powerful military forces are in the Pacific."Sullivan also noted that the U.S. presence is valuable to have in the Pacific region to uphold long-standing alliances and partnerships. Now more emphasis is being shifted toward the Pacific region.Gen. Vincent Brooks, commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific, said that he was impressed by the symposium’s venue."It’s not often that you get the land-forces commanders – Marines, U.S. Army, Special Operations Command, regional armies and businesses in one room," said Brooks.Adding, "LANPAC will give insight on whole government approaches."He noted how the LANPAC symposium offered an opportunity to discuss issues in the Pacific face-to-face, as well as unique capabilities that each land force added to the support of the Pacific.He also emphasized how the symposium helped strengthen the bonds between countries and the international community.Brooks said the symposium was hosted in Hawaii because of its historic ties to the region, it has the largest concentration of U.S. land forces in the Pacific, and it is the closest state to the U.S. regional partners.While the symposium and exposition is still in its infancy stage, Sullivan said he expects to see it to continually grow."The U.S. forces landpower symposium is one of a kind. Nowhere else will you find anything like this," said Sullivan.