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Nepalese welcome Army Pacific commander Brooks

Courtesy Photo | Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, commander, U.S. Army Pacific (right), and Lt. Col. Sameer...... read more read more

KATHMANDU, NEPAL

01.16.2016

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs Office

By Master Sgt. Mark St.Clair
25th ID Public Affairs

KATHMANDU, Nepal – U.S. Army Pacific commander Gen. Vincent K. Brooks was hosted by the Nepalese army here Jan. 14-16.

Brooks last visited the South Asian country in March 2014, just before two devastating earthquakes and scores of aftershocks rocked the center of the country and its capital, Kathmandu.

During his first visit, Brooks toured the Nepalese army headquarters, now largely rubble.

After a welcome by an immaculately dressed honor guard, he was hosted this visit by Nepalese Chief of Army Staff Gen. Rajendra Chhetri in their officer’s club before receiving a briefing on lessons learned during the internationally partnered response to the earthquakes.

Touring through the millennia-old Kathmandu, both to visit Nepalese forces as well as the U.S. Embassy and Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz, Brooks was struck by the destruction the earthquakes caused, and intimated as much to Chhetri, who in turn gave thanks for the help U.S. forces gave and for the six Marines who lost their lives in a helicopter crash during relief efforts in May 2014. Two Nepalese soldiers were also killed in the crash.

USARPAC, along with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and many other governmental and non-governmental organizations had played a part in joint crisis response training.

“Rehearsed procedures on how to respond during a time of crisis made it much smoother when those crises came,” Brooks said.

Seeking a increase in opportunities to work together to train with the Nepalese, Brooks said, “Our desire is for Nepal to be a trusted partner to us … I’m looking for opportunities to train my force.”

Speaking with Chhetri in front of his staff, Brooks said that he would value joint exercises that would allow his soldiers to train in a more real way and leave tangible results for Nepal after their training is complete.

As the U.S. Department of Defense has begun focusing efforts toward that Pacific in recent years, commands such as USARPAC and leaders such as Brooks have seen a dramatic increase in available personnel and equipment, and in turn more opportunities to partner with other nations to train. “I want to build our readiness while we’re building our national interests,” Brooks said.

During his visit, Brooks was also able to travel to Pokhara to meet with the Nepalese Western Division, and the Mahabir (Ranger) Battalion in Kathmandu, viewing tactical demonstrations.

Speaking to the assembled Mahabir Rangers, Brooks told them of his conversations with Chhetri, saying, “we talked about the honor of the Nepalese Army, how it is the pride of the nation and the most respected institution in the country.”

He then thanked them for their skills and professionalism in both combat and rescue situations, their devotion to their countrymen, their assistance in helping recover the bodies of the Marines and Nepalese soldiers killed during earthquake relief, and what they’re doing to change Nepal.

Currently on a goodwill tour throughout the region, Brooks next travels to Malaysia.