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Adm. Thomas B. Fargo observes a familiarization briefing by the Indian Army’s 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, for U.S. counterparts prior to a combined exercise at Fort Richardson, Alaska.

The 2002 Joint Warfighter Interoperability Demonstration (JWID) surpassed all expectations, with a complex but realistic scenario sufficient to test both equipment and personnel operating as a combined task force (CTF). Regional leaders watched and participated in the demonstration, assessed the potential of the tools and applications, and determined the utility of the CTF.

JWID provides leaders with improved capabilities to support command and control, computers, communication, surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance and meet our interoperability goal. The objectives of the demonstration are even more significant in today’s world. Leaders who attended remarked on the usefulness of the event and its potential to assist them in their operations and planning.

Finally, you’ll read about the important support India has provided the Global War on Terrorism, including crucial sea escort missions and essential logistics materiel. India, like many nations of our region, continues to contribute to this essential fight.

President Harry Truman once said, "Men make history, and not the other way around. ... progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better." As this issue of FORUM illustrates, the extraordinary high caliber of our region’s leadership is fundamental to our combined resolve for cooperative security in the Asia-Pacific region.