Army chief of staff visits commands, soldiers throughout USARPAC

Courtesy Photo | The Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Raymond Odierno visited units throughout U.S. Army Pacific to include the 25th Infantry Division’s Jungle Training Operation Center on Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Feb. 12. During his visit of the facility, he received a first-hand look at jungle operations. (Courtesy photo of the U.S. Army/released)  

HONOLULU, HI, UNITED STATES

02.13.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Kyle Richardson 

U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs Office

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii - Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond Odierno visited with Soldiers and leaders throughout U.S. Army Pacific on Oahu, Hawaii, Feb. 11-12.

Odierno met with USARPAC Commanding General Gen. Vincent K. Brooks at USARPAC’s headquarters in Richardson Hall located on historic Palm Circle, Fort Shafter. This trip marks his third trip to the Indo-Asia Pacific region since 2011.

During the meeting, Odierno and Brooks discussed rebalance in the Indo-Asia Pacific, effects of sequestration, innovations in readiness and capabilities, as well as various other topics.

Although Odierno and Brooks talked about reducing the number of Soldiers in the Pacific, the forces in this region will still play a vital role in this region.

The Indo-Asia Pacific region stretches across 16 time zones representing more than 50 percent of the world’s population. Five of the seven U.S. Mutual Defense Agreements are held in the Pacific along with seven of the 10 world’s largest armies.

After visiting with USARPAC, Odierno visited Soldiers and leaders from the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, 9th Mission Support Command's logistical vessels, 25th Infantry Division to include the noncommissioned officer training center—Lightning Academy, and the Jungle Operation Training Center.

While at the 94th AAMD, Odierno received an overview of the Integrated Air Missile Defense plan from the 94th AAMDC staff directorates and recognized several Soldiers for their achievements.

Odierno visited the piers at Hickam Air Force
Base, where 9th MSC's LSV-7, Staff Sgt. Robert T. Kuroda, was docked. During the visit, he discussed Army Watercraft Systems utilization, readiness/modernization, active-reserve multi-component operations, initiatives and roles in setting the theater and enabling joint, interagency, intergovernmental, multinational operations across the Pacific region.

Odierno’s final stop took him to Schofield, where he discussed the capabilities and operability of the Tropic Lightning Soldiers in the 25th Infantry Division, received a first-hand look at jungle operations, and talked to some of the future leaders at the NCO academy. He finished his tour with a town hall meeting where Soldiers could discuss their concerns and issues along with their family members.

• Date Taken: 02.13.2015
• Date Posted: 02.14.2015 00:14
• Story ID: 154526
• Location: HONOLULU, HI, US