In a strategic pivot to address the escalating tensions in the Pacific, the United States Army is bolstering its presence and capabilities in the region. General Charles Flynn, commander of U.S. Army Pacific, outlined a comprehensive approach to enhance regional stability through a network of joint land forces during a recent military leaders’ conference in Honolulu.
The strategic land power network that Flynn refers to is essential for defending sovereignty and upholding international rights. To realize this, the U.S. Army has implemented four steps, including reorganizing forces for a battle-winning mix of capabilities, regenerating joint warfighting capacities, applying land power to create unity of effort, and establishing enduring advantages through regional posture.
Flynn’s initiative underscores the importance of land forces in providing a ‘positional advantage’—something that no other foreign military can deliver. This notion is supported by the planned establishment of multidomain task forces and cross-domain formations in Japan, alongside Australia’s 10th Brigade.
The U.S. Army’s commitment to the Pacific extends beyond force restructuring. A proposed 200% increase in Pacific training and employment funding for fiscal 2025 underscores the focus on this region as being pivotal to U.S. national security. The Army seeks to invest significantly in the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, designed to foster peace in the Asia-Pacific. This funding spike will support around 40 Pacific Pathways exercises, underscoring the U.S. military’s determination to enhance cooperation with partner militaries and bolster regional security.
The Army’s shift to the Pacific also includes plans for rotational deployments in 2025 to sustain a ready and responsive force in the region. The necessity of this pivot was affirmed by Major General Chuck Lombardo, who oversees Army training, highlighting a ‘heavy increase’ in Pacific operations.
Additionally, the Army’s budget requests indicate a focus on enhancing missile defense systems and munitions, including defense of critical assets like Guam. The procurement of watercraft is another facet of the Army’s Pacific strategy, though details remain undisclosed.
Relevant articles:
– Four ways US Army’s Pacific chief plans to boost regional land forces, Defense News
– Army Planning Big Boost to Pacific Operations Next Year with More Training, Deployments and Equipment, Military.com
– U.S. Army Pacific Makes Major Moves To Face Regional Challenges, Association of the United States Army