The Indo-Pacific has become the “most consequential region” for American security, where there are more potential adversaries and more strategic challenges, the U.S. Army Pacific commanding general said Oct. 12. 

Gen. Charles Flynn, speaking at the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2021 Annual Meeting and Exposition, said his task in preparing the command requires finding new approaches to develop new deterrents for adversaries. China is the top concern, he said, but it isn’t alone in presenting challenges to the U.S. and its allies. 

Flynn’s approach is built around several basic steps. The U.S. is maintaining a “persistent presence in the region” to show allies there is a lasting commitment from the U.S. and remind potential adversaries there is a trained and ready American force on watch. 

For allies, the U.S. is an “essential institution, and for good reason,” Flynn said, listing security, stability and trust as key priorities. 

While Army units are largely trained in the U.S., it is important that they train often with regional partners and allies and learn the environment because conditions and climates in the region are unique, he said. “Conditions matter,” Flynn said, stressing the importance of seeing, sensing and understand the Indo-Pacific, an area that covers half the globe. 

— Rick Maze