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Col. Md. Sanusi bin Hj Ahmad, Officer Commanding, Special Regiment Air Force, Malaysia, briefs Malaysia’s response to terrorism during Pacific Area Operations Conference (PASOC).
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Since the September 11, 2001 attack in New York, terrorism has cast its shadow over the world, creating massive changes and a massive shift in how the world views terrorism.
A global resolve to combat terrorism has resulted in international cooperation to seek out and destroy those who would seek to destroy innocents. In February 2003, a formidable group of Special Operations Forces (SOF) from around the Pacific gathered in a conference to share their vision and to emerge as a coalition ready to work together for a common good. The gathering was the 11th Pacific Area Special Operations Conference (PASOC) held 10-14 February 2003 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Delegates from 18 Asia-Pacific countries, U.S Country Team personnel, and distinguished visitors from various U.S. agencies participated in the weeklong event. |
| A global resolve to combat terrorism has resulted in international cooperation to seek out and destroy those who would seek to destroy innocents. In February 2003, a formidable group of Special Operations Forces (SOF) from around the Pacific gathered in a conference to share their vision and to emerge as a coalition ready to work together for a common good. The gathering was the 11th Pacific Area Special Operations Conference (PASOC) held 10-14 February 2003 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Delegates from 18 Asia-Pacific countries, U.S Country Team personnel, and distinguished visitors from various U.S. agencies participated in the weeklong event. |
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| Brig. Gen. Gregory Trebon, Commander, Special Operations Command Pacific, welcomes PASOC attendees. |
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The conference had four objectives:
• discuss common SOF training issues,
• explore the impact of transnational terrorism,
• explain how the operational requirements for the war on terrorism affect future alliances and combined SOF training events, and
• identify methods to increase combined interoperability between PASOC attendees.
A common idea expressed throughout the conference was the need to train and, when required, fight as a coalition force.
“Our personal relationships are key and we are increasing them here,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory Trebon, Commander, Special Operations Command, Pacific, and host of PASOC. “But what is important is what we do when we leave this place. If relations between our nations don’t allow us to come together in a coalition effort, then the terrorists will benefit.
“In the 21st century, in the information age, in order to operate successfully, we need to recognize this is a team effort. We need to move forward with a team approach, because in the war on terrorism we will succeed or fail as a team.” |
Maj. Cynthia F. Teramae, USA, is the Director, Public Affairs, Special Operations Command Pacific |
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