Photo By Spc. Taylor Gray | Command Sgt. Maj. Walter Zajkowski, senior enlisted leader of Special Operations...... read more read more
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Leaders at U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) are taking proactive steps to advance the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies. The purpose of TechNet Indo-Pacific 2024 is to share information about key developments and their benefits.
“Trust is the foundation upon which we build our relationships; it enhances information sharing and strengthens our collaborative efforts,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Schmidt, representing U.S. Army Pacific during a panel at TechNet in Honolulu. Schmidt emphasized the importance of land power in the Indo-Pacific, drawing on his more than 30 years of experience.
His role is to support joint forces in the region, working alongside allies and focusing on readiness and leadership development.
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth Decent, a reservist from Buffalo, New York, detailed his role in the Pacific Air Forces. He spoke about the importance of staying engaged with policies and maintaining communication across the Indo-Pacific region.
The enlisted forces are seen as the backbone of U.S. alliances in the Indo-Pacific. Where their efforts support the collective security and stability in the region.
Serving as leaders, ambassadors, and collaborators in joint operations. These forces help build trust and cooperation with regional allies, mentoring and training them while enhancing interoperability.
One of the main challenges discussed during the panel is how to improve information sharing with partners. For the land component, regular exercises with other nations play a vital role. For example, the U.S. worked with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force in cybersecurity drills, overcoming language, technology, and authority barriers to improve cooperation in case of real-world situations. These exercises help develop tactical interoperability, which can later translate into professional growth for partner nations.
From the command perspective, the goal is to operationalize information to enhance dynamic combat power and build trust with allies. Leadership plays a key role in fostering partnerships that can be relied upon during emergencies, ensuring smooth coordination and response. This is supported by senior enlisted leaders who engage with partner nations at different levels, promoting professional development and collaboration.
One practical suggestion could be as simple as setting up a seven-nation secret video teleconference to test communication between flag and general officers. By solving such tactical problems in a low-stress environment, teams can ensure they’re prepared when tensions rise.
Tactical interoperability is built into joint exercises. Leadership’s strategic plans—such as the theater army strategy and Pacific enlisted leader development strategy—are key to professionalizing partner nations’ noncommissioned officers. Educating and empowering these forces creates trust and strengthens land power across the region. Technology’s role should be to hyper-enable warfighters, not overshadow them. While systems’ interoperability happens during hands-on exercises, technology should support, not dictate, missions. Ensuring that foreign military sales and security cooperation initiatives meet the unique needs and environments of partners is just as critical to achieving interoperability as the technical systems themselves.
“Exercises like Balikatan are essential not just for warfighting tasks but for honing our disaster relief capabilities in partnership with nations like the Philippines,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Schmidt.
At the command level, liaison officers play a pivotal role in bridging the gap, acting as interpreters of their nation’s systems and ensuring smooth communication across varying classification levels. These officers are invaluable when aligning capability plans with U.S. forces, as demonstrated by New Zealand’s acquisition of the C-130J transport planes, which meet U.S. standards.
Failing fast is another concept embraced by military leaders: learning quickly from mistakes made during exercises allows teams to adjust strategies and correct deficiencies before engaging in actual combat. By recognizing vulnerabilities early, the entire force becomes more resilient and ready for future challenges.
TechNet Indo-Pacific 2024 brought attention to the importance of pre-staged diplomatic agreements, which allow for swift deployment and response during crises, as evidenced by the example of the C-130J quickly supporting a cyclone response in Vanuatu due to pre-existing clearances.
“By having pre-positioned resources across our area of responsibility, we can respond more swiftly to crises, ensuring we are always ready when needed,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Walter Zajkowski, command senior enlisted leader, Special Operations Command Pacific, during a Senior Enlisted Leaders panel at TechNet in Honolulu.
TechNet Indo-Pacific 2024 also discussed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), stressing the need for innovative, cost-effective ways to enhance maritime domain awareness, especially for nations with limited resources. The idea of leveraging existing fishing fleets as low-cost sensors demonstrates how technology can be applied creatively to boost intelligence gathering across the Indo-Pacific. This highlights the overall theme of enabling partner nations through collaborative technology and strategic agreements while strengthening regional security and humanitarian response capabilities.
Additionally, New Zealand Warrant Officer Class One Stephen Rupapere, the deputy senior enlisted leader at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, spoke on regional collaboration through the Center for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, as well as partnerships with countries like Australia and New Zealand, strengthens the ability of nations in the Pacific to provide mutual support during crises. By sharing resources, training, and best practices, these collaborations are vital for building regional resilience.
The example of pre-staged diplomatic agreements, such as the quick deployment of a C-130J during the Vanuatu cyclone, showcases how prior coordination can enable swift action during emergencies. This highlights the importance of having the logistical and diplomatic groundwork in place before crises occur.
Finally, the exploration of ISR reflects the growing need for innovative, low-cost solutions for enhancing maritime domain awareness. By utilizing existing resources like fishing fleets as low-cost sensors, countries with limited technological capacities can still contribute effectively to regional security efforts. This cooperative approach, blending advanced technology with local capabilities, strengthens both intelligence gathering and international partnerships, bolstering security and humanitarian efforts across the Indo-Pacific.
TechNet Indo-Pacific 2024 effectively conveyed the broader themes of agility, collaboration, and innovation in maintaining readiness and fostering stronger regional alliances.
| Date Taken: | 10.23.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.12.2024 20:19 |
| Story ID: | 483995 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 72 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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