U.S. Maj. Gen. Michael A. Keltz, Director, J-5, Strategic Planning and Policy, U.S. Pacific Command, spoke with reporters on Thursday about PACOM's outreach to the countries in and around the Pacific Ocean. Among the topics covered was the announcement by President Barack Obama and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard that U.S. Marines would be stationed in Australia for a six-month deployment.
Why deploy Marines to Australia?
Keltz told reporters that the Marine deployment to northern Australia would be rotational in nature. The presence of the Marines gives the United States additional resources near Southeast Asia in the event a humanitarian or disaster response is necessary.
U.S. Marines are often the first deployed in the event of a humanitarian assistance or disaster relief (HADR) mission. The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit responded after the December 2004 Indonesian earthquake and tsunami. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit along with Marine units from Okinawa provided assistance after the March 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami.
What will the Marines be doing?
Major General Keltz described the main mission of the Marines to be joint training with the Australians. There will be some independent training but the goal is to work with the Australians and to invite other partners in the region to also train with the Marines.
Are any other services being sent to Australia?
The announcement also included increased cooperation between the two air forces. MG Keltz said that this would improve interoperability between the two militaries and provide U.S. pilots with training opportunities in the open spaces of the continent.
Why is the U.S. Pacific Command making these moves?
Over the last ten years, the Pacific Command has been increasing its capabilities, technological edge and building partnerships in the Pacific. Pacific Command is moving forward from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and repositioning forces to advance the goals of the U.S. in the region. PACOM, according to Keltz, believes that humanitarian assistance missions, partnership building and maritime support and training for allies on issues like fisheries enforcement and piracy as well as enforcement of economic exclusion zones are the issues that will face the U.S. in the region.
What about China?
Keltz and PACOM recognize that China plays a huge role in the region. Keltz would prefer not to label China as either a friend or an enemy. Cultural competence, he told reporters, is a key to obviating the need for kinetics in some situations. PACOM uses partners such as Singapore as a resource for enhancing understanding of China and its goals.
Based upon recent actions, MG Keltz said that it appears that the Chinese intent is to push other nations from disputed areas off their coast. PACOM's goal is to provide the resources and encouragement to allies and partners so that these disputes are handled in accordance with international law and U.N. Treaties.
12 comments