Photo Gallery Summer 2001.html

The most important and widely recognized USARPAC-sponsored multinational engagement event is the Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS). USARPAC co-hosts this annual conference with another Asia-Pacific Army. By design, it is a multinational seminar providing a forum for senior level Asia-Pacific officers (colonel to major general or national equivalent) to exchange views and discuss common military management challenges at the graduate school level.

The first PAMS session took place in Honolulu in September 1978 and involved nine armies. Since that time, the seminar has grown consistently, with PAMS XXIV hosting delegates from 33 countries. PAMS XXIV was co-hosted with Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force in Tokyo, Japan, during September 2000. PAMS XXV was co-hosted with the Malaysian Army in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during September 2001.

U.S. Army Pacific participates in many combined exercises to share and sharpen battle skills. A Thai soldier assists a U.S. soldier into a Ghillie suit for sniper training.

Photo by Sgt. Angel Mendina, USA

The Malaysian Army also co-hosted the Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference II (PACC), simultaneously with PAMS XXV. The first PACC was conducted in Singapore during September 1999, and established critical contacts that will provide long reaching strategic significance in Asia-Pacific engagement. PACC I was co-hosted by the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Gen. Eric K. Shinseki and Maj. Gen. Lim Chuan Poh, Chief of the Republic of Singapore Army. PACC I was held in conjunction with PAMS XXIII, and included the chiefs of armies from 18 Asia-Pacific nations.

USARPAC conducts 20-25 humanitarian assistance/civic action projects annually in the region, again in support of USCINCPAC’s engagement activities. These projects serve as low-level, non-threatening activities and have significantly improved our bilateral relationships with many of the nations that are difficult to engage in more traditional military engagement events. Engineer and medical units are the primary participants in these activities. Engineer projects include construction of clinics, schools, buildings, roads, and hydroelectric plants. Medical/Veterinary Readiness Training Exercises are medical exercises involving small teams (2 to 14 people) over a period of two to three weeks.

Disaster Preparedness Planning Surveys are civil affairs missions involving six to eight U.S. Army Reserve personnel conducting surveys to determine an area’s disaster vulnerabilities, the country disaster plan, local resources for disaster relief, and a list of in-country points of contacts.

The Way Ahead

USARPAC units stay ready and engaged to meet the demands of the 21st century. Whether the mission has our soldiers conducting Subject Matter Expert Exchanges throughout the region, or participating in airborne operations during the COBRA GOLD multilateral exercises in Thailand, we are committed to maintaining security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

This region is diverse in national, security and cultural perspectives, ideas and experiences. Those of us who live and work here in the most dynamic region of our world, understand diversity as both a challenge and an advantage. We strive to capitalize on our differences for improved long-term security analyses and richer, broader security perspectives.