Maj. Gen. Hans Harson, Commander, National Gendarmerie Circumscription, Madagascar, and Cmdr. Toni Fonokalafi, Commander Tongan Navy, confer during a break.

“Anytime these renaissance warriors are employed in either peacekeeping operations or combat as CSTs, the operational seams that exist among forces rapidly close, further broadening the Combined-Joint Force Commanders’ available set of military options, ultimately and directly enhancing and effecting operational success,” said Brig. Gen. Fridovich.

These SOF coalitions work so well together because of the common backgrounds each nation’s SOF shares. Col. Mandeep Singh Mann, Commander, 21 Parachute (Special Forces) Battalion, Indian Armed Forces, explained the unique qualities of Indian SOF. “They are a small group with specialized training, who are better equipped, an all-volunteer force with combat experience and very adaptable,” he said. These shared qualities enable SOF coalition forces to come together rapidly to work together in a crisis situation.

By the end of the conference, PASOC attendees had fully immersed themselves in the possibilities for shared security in the Pacific region.

“The security of a nation-state is not only internal stability, but the stability of one’s neighbors and the region,” said Brig. Gen. D. Udeni Munasinghe, Division Commander, Sri Lanka Army. “Therefore, security of the 21st century will have to be cooperative and collective and not isolationist and individual.

“Let the great leaders of all peace-loving nations be blessed with vision to formulate an action plan worldwide to eradicate this menace of terrorism.”

Maj. Gen. Abdul Wadud (left),Engineer in Chief, Army Headquarters, Bangladesh, and Brig. Gen. Gabrial Ledesma, Commanding General, 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, Armed Forces of the Philippines, chat during a coffee break.

Adm. Thomas B. Fargo (left), Commander Pacific Command, greets Gen. Charles. R. Holland, Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command.

(L to R) Maj. Tim Tian Heng, Headquarters Command, Singapore Armed Forces; Maj. Tan Hong Tech, Naval Diving Unit, Singapore Navy; and Maj. Hira Laljoshi, Company Commander, Divi Dal Company, Royal Nepalese Army, speak with Brig. Gen. Mohammed Ashab Uddin, Commander 44th Infantry Brigade, Bangladesh, during a break in the conference.

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