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The Pacific Command Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2016 (PALS-16) concluded after three days of guided discussions and amphibious demonstrations in San Diego, Calif., July 14, 2016.
The symposium, hosted by Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, is designed to gather senior leaders of allied and partner nations throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region to have a meaningful dialogue on key aspects of maritime/amphibious operations, capability development, crisis response, and interoperability.
PALS-16 helped strengthen the interoperability and working relationships across a wide range of military operations, from disaster relief to complex expeditionary operations. The symposium consisted of 23 partnered and allied nations from the region, including the United States.
“PALS is an opportunity for us to share our ideas about how we can conduct and utilize amphibious capabilities,” said Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, commanding general, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. “PALS is an opportunity to show capability as well. This year we demonstrated how we would put together our logistical support ships to support amphibious operations.”
PALS participants observed a sea-basing demonstration followed by an amphibious landing exercise from ship to shore.
Sea-basing allows militaries to overcome the challenges to access and supports proactive engagements, crisis response, deterrence and when necessary, warfighting. While it doesn’t replace all needs for all overseas bases, sea-basing does reduce the requirement for ports and airfields.
“The sea-basing demonstration provides a great opportunity to actually see sea-basing assets underway in an operational environment,” said U.S. Navy Capt. David Dry, commander, Military Sealift Command, Pacific. “For the participants it provides a tremendous insight being able to watch the operation take place from the ship to the shore.”
The ability to deliver equipment ashore from the sea provides a commander with the ability to act without the need to access seaports or airfields. The amphibious demonstration utilized the Landing Craft Air Cushion and Amphibious Assault Vehicle as a means to transport various assets from ship to shore. Amphibious landing capabilities assure shoreline access to the joint force commander in an operational environment.
“It’s hard to imagine how much we are learning from each other,” said Lt. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, commanding general, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “PALS is a great opportunity to really sit down and focus with our allies on amphibious operations. When you have multiple countries looking at the same problem there is going to be some great takeaways.”
PALS-17 is slated to take place early next year and will be hosted by the Republic of Korea.
“We hope to focus on forced entry operations, mine sweeping, and other aspects of amphibious operations,” said Republic of Korea Brig. Gen. Suyong Jung, chief of staff, Republic of Korea Marine Corps.
“I think the Republic of Korea is a great choice for next year’s symposium,” said Lt. Gen. David Berger, commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force. “With a rapid climb in amphibious capability I think they will be a natural fit.”
Capable maritime/amphibious forces help ensure stability and prosperity around the world with the assistance of events such as PALS, now and in the future, participants can return to their respective nations with developed working relationships and a better understanding on how to expand their own capabilities.
| Date Taken: | 07.13.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.26.2016 13:45 |
| Story ID: | 203916 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Hometown: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, US |
| Hometown: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 68 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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