Willard Details Pacific Command's Mission, Scope
By Jim Garamone, AFPS: WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2011 - Managing the relationship with China and growing the relationship with India are two of U.S. Pacific Command's key objectives, the organization's commander said.
Navy Adm. Robert F. Willard also told reporters attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference in Hawaii that the command must counter the threats posed by North Korea.
President Barack Obama hosted the APEC meeting in Honolulu, where Willard and Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes highlighted American security contributions to the region.
The United States is a Pacific power with about 320,000 uniformed members, civilians and contractors assigned in the region, Willard said. U.S. forces, he added, are forward deployed in Japan and South Korea and posted aboard ships throughout the region.
Willard detailed the five areas of focus in the region, with China leading the list. The U.S. relationship with China, he said, is undergoing tremendous change given China's economic and military advancements.
U.S. military-to-military policy with China, the admiral said, is to encourage the Chinese to be more transparent about their military and military spending. U.S. and Chinese forces, he said, are conducting search and rescue exercises and are exchanging students at all levels.
"One of my charters is to improve the relationship, mil-to-mil, between the United States and the Chinese," Willard said.
Recent Comments