Trilateral Senior Level Seminar (TSLS)

Photo By Lance Cpl. Jeriel Nunez | Lt. Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC), delivers opening remarks at the Trilateral Senior Level Seminar (TSLS) hosted at the MARFORPAC headquarters at Camp Smith, Hawaii, Aug. 20-21, 2019. TSLS brings together senior military leaders from the U.S., Australian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, with the Republic of Korea Army participating as an observer. The goal of TSLS is to help build a more capable, competent global partnership with an interest in emerging security relationships, while fostering regional cooperation, capability and interoperability. U.S. participants come from MARFORPAC, U.S. Army Pacific and Special Operations Command Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Jeriel Nunez)  

CAMP H.M. SMITH, HI, UNITED STATES

08.22.2019

Story by Cpl. Thomas Miller 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii-- U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC) hosted the seventh annual Trilateral Senior Level Seminar (TSLS) at the MARFORPAC Headquarters Building at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Aug. 20-21, 2019.

The event is a multi-national forum that provides a useful and appropriate venue for senior-level (colonel to general) officers from the Australian Army; Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF); United States Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC); U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC); United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) and observers from the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army to exchange views and information.

“The Trilateral Senior Level Seminar 2019 has been instrumental in supporting open dialogue on common issues, whilst also developing a shared understanding of our unique circumstances within the Indo-Pacific,” said Australian Army Lt. Gen. Richard Burr, Chief of Army. “TSLS 19 continues the tradition started in 2013, reinforcing the strength of our partnerships whilst enhancing our ability to meet common challenges in the future."

The seminar is intended to deepen the strategic dialogue among the participants to help build a more capable, competent global partnership, and serve as an opportunity to establish and enhance strong interpersonal relationships among the current and future senior leaders.

“Anytime we’re able to sit down with our regional partners is a valuable opportunity to enhance those relationships with each other and focus on emerging concerns in the region,” said Lt. Gen. Craparotta, commander, MARFORPAC. “This particular iteration of TSLS is focused on the security relationships we have with each other and how we as allies can work together toward a goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

This year’s theme was “Emerging Security Relationships,” with a focus on the need for interoperable capabilities that enables MARFORPAC’s allies and partners to address shared security interests.

"Our strategic environment is evolving rapidly, and will continue to evolve into the future through rapid technological advancement and changing geopolitical circumstances,” said Burr. “As we shape to meet the challenges of the future, there has never been a time more important for enhanced dialogue and cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.”

In addition to the group briefs and discussions on emerging security relations and whole of government responses to threats, bilateral engagements were held to focus on the unique, individual relationships and areas of concern between each attendee.

“The TSLS is the venue where the most important partners in the Indo-Pacific region can get together,” said Gen. Goro Yuasa, Chief of Staff for JGSDF. “Therefore, we can understand not only how each leader really feels about the current threats, but also their thoughts behind their efforts for security and stability of this region.”

• Date Taken: 08.22.2019
• Date Posted: 08.22.2019 21:32
• Story ID: 336994
• Location: CAMP H.M. SMITH, HI, US