ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Facing challenges of the vast Indo-Pacific theater, the Army is accelerating its work to develop and provide advanced capabilities to soldiers, a senior leader said.

“We’re accelerating everything as fast as we can. It’s not going to take 15 years,” said Young Bang, principal deputy assistant Army secretary for acquisition, logistics and technology. “We’re changing the whole mindset. We’re changing how we do acquisition.”

The deterrence record on North Korea is spotty, warns Duyeon Kim of the Center for a New American Security. 

Strong partnerships are critical to deterring adversaries, particularly in the vast Indo-Pacific region, a panel of senior leaders said May 17 during the Association of the U.S. Army’s LANPAC Symposium and Exposition.

“I’m fond of saying, it doesn’t matter what the question is, the answer is partnerships,” said Lt. Gen Richard Burr, chief of the Australian army.

Speaking alongside Burr on the role of land forces in deterrence, Lt. Gen. Xavier Brunson, commanding general of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, agreed. 

LANPAC, an Association of the U.S. Army-sponsored event focused on the Indo-Pacific, opened May 17 in Honolulu with a clear message of strengthening joint training and cooperation between the U.S. and other nations in the region. 

Gen. Charles Flynn, U.S. Army Pacific commanding general, said the return of the land forces symposium is important after a three-year break because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Association of the U.S. Army’s LANPAC Symposium and Exposition in Honolulu comes at a time when the Russian invasion of Ukraine is influencing national security discussions about the Indo-Pacific.

The May 17–19 LANPAC Symposium and Exposition at the Sheraton Waikiki will draw U.S. and foreign leaders for discussions about Indo-Pacific security issues, focused on current and future challenges facing the U.S. and its many partners and allies in the region.

Several senior leaders, including the commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific and officials from partner armies in the Indo-Pacific, will speak at the Association of the U.S. Army’s LANPAC Symposium & Exposition in Hawaii.

The in-person three-day event, an international symposium and exhibition dedicated to land forces in the Indo-Pacific, is back after a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Army is increasing its presence and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific as the U.S. works to compete with and deter China, the commander of U.S. Army Pacific said.

Speaking at the recent Maneuver Warfighter Conference at Fort Benning, Georgia, Gen. Charles Flynn said the Army must spend more time with its partners and allies, learning and training in the tough environments found in the vast, diverse region.

From boots on the ground to stronger relationships with partners and allies, the Army is working hard to deter conflict in the Indo-Pacific region, the service’s senior leaders said.

“It’s important for us to be able to walk and chew gum,” Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said as she described how the Army is staying focused on the Indo-Pacific while also responding to the crisis in Eastern Europe.