General Charles A. Flynn, U.S. Army Pacific Commanding General, highlights the importance of land forces and regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region during a digital press briefing held by the U.S. Department of State’s Asia Pacific Media Hub. General Flynn focuses on the upcoming 2023 LANPAC Symposium and Exposition, a significant annual event showcasing the role of land forces in the Indo-Pacific and the critical alliances in the region.
In a recent digital press briefing led by the U.S. Department of State’s Asia Pacific Media Hub, General Charles A. Flynn, U.S. Army Pacific Commanding General, emphasized the significance of land forces and regional partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. The briefing primarily revolved around the forthcoming 2023 LANPAC Symposium and Exposition, scheduled to take place from May 16th to 18th in Honolulu, Hawaii. This year marks the symposium’s 10th anniversary, and General Flynn expressed pride in the event’s growth, particularly after the virtual editions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The LANPAC Symposium and Exposition will bring together 25 countries from across the region, including 14 chiefs of army and nearly 30 nations, highlighting the multilateral and bilateral relationships vital to the Indo-Pacific. With the theme of “emerging changes to warfare,” the symposium aims to address topics related to technological advancements, social changes, and organizational shifts in warfare, which are not only observable globally but are also relevant to the Indo-Pacific and Europe.
General Flynn emphasized the role of land power as the security architecture that binds the region together. He stressed the importance of unity and collective commitment to ensure a safe, stable, and secure Indo-Pacific region. Several participating countries have already expressed interest in discussing territorial defense, territorial integrity, and safeguarding their people and national sovereignty amidst irresponsible behavior witnessed worldwide.
During his recent two-week trip, General Flynn visited Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand, gaining insights into the current situation in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the first island chain through engagements with senior officials, both military and political, and troop visits to operational units in the region.
The press briefing proceeded with a question-and-answer session. Topics covered included the U.S. Army Pacific Command’s response to recommendations from the U.S. Army War College’s think tank regarding the restructuring of INDOPACOM Army design, information-sharing between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan regarding North Korean missile activities, land-based unity and interoperability in the South China Sea disputes, engagement in Pacific Island nations, and the reorganization of the 12th Marine Regiment in Okinawa into a littoral regiment.
General Flynn addressed the questions, highlighting organizational changes within the U.S. Army Pacific Command, including the establishment of a theater fires element and a theater information advantage directorate, as well as the presence of security force assistance brigades and multi-domain task forces in the region. He emphasized the importance of land-based operations in countries with limited naval capabilities, such as archipelagic Southeast Asian nations, and the value of human interoperability in building relationships and achieving collective defense objectives. Specific details regarding the reorganization of the 12th Marine Regiment were not provided.
General Charles A. Flynn’s insights and the discussions during the digital press briefing shed light on the upcoming 2023 LANPAC Symposium and Exposition and underscore the importance of land forces and regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, aiming to strengthen security and stability in the region.