The following article is authored by Dr. Andre Stridiron, the program manager for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command J7 Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability. Below, he provides an inside look at PMTEC’s achievements over the last four years and outlines the vision for the future as “PMTEC 2.0” shapes joint and coalition training.
HONOLULU — The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command J7 Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability has rapidly emerged as a force multiplier for innovative and strategically impactful training enterprises, transforming how the joint force and allied militaries prepare for conflict across the region. From 2022 to 2026, the capability has grown from a concept into the Indo-Pacific’s premier engine for readiness, delivering cutting-edge live, virtual, and constructive training and enabling persistent, combined joint all-domain rehearsals at a scale never before achieved in the theater.
A Capability Ahead of Strategy Deliberate operations, activities, and investments have consistently supported U.S. national security and national defense strategies. Designed from inception to address the Indo-Pacific’s vast distances, contested domains, and rapidly evolving threats, the capability has become a model for how the Department of War prepares forces for the future fight.
“This program is a cornerstone of the Department’s strategy to maintain a ready joint force and sustain our technological superiority,” said Col. Bill "Wild" Strohecker, director of joint exercises and training, Office of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness.
“By harnessing live, virtual, and constructive environments, we provide an unparalleled platform for innovation… Through this capability, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has established itself as a leading voice in the Department for how we are successfully preparing the joint force for this environment.”
Breakthrough Achievements (2022–2026) The PMTEC integration office was established as part of the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in 2022, and by 2023 PMTEC quickly achieved the linking of key ranges between Hawaii, Guam, and the continental United States. This effort established a scalable, coalition-centric architecture built for all-domain operations, including space, cyberspace, and the electromagnetic spectrum.
In 2024, the enterprise launched forward operations in Guam during Valiant Shield. This milestone enabled the first high-end live, virtual, and constructive aviation training west of the International Date Line. Real aircraft—including EA-18G Growlers and F/A-18 Super Hornets—fought virtual adversaries in real time, marking a historic leap in Indo-Pacific readiness.
The enterprise supported multiple major exercises, including Northern Edge 2025, and fielded advanced data models that dramatically improved distributed debriefing processes. In 2026, the focus shifted to coalition integration at scale. The enterprise enabled multiple live maritime strike rehearsals and an eight-nation common operating picture during Balikatan 2026, supported advanced integrated air and missile defense training with unmanned systems, and will enhance joint command and control during Super Garuda Shield 2026.
This year also marks a pivotal moment for homeland defense, as PMTEC directly supports the development of the Guam Defense System. Recognizing that homeland defense extends into the western Pacific, PMTEC is providing the synthetic environments needed to test and refine the integrated systems designed to protect this critical U.S. territory. Cyber and space domains are critical vulnerabilities in modern homeland defense. By supporting rigorous cyber defense training and integrating space effects into major multinational exercises, PMTEC ensures U.S. forces are prepared to counter these asymmetric threats. This work directly sets the stage for large-scale, homeland defense-focused events like Valiant Shield 26, as well as future experiments in Resolute Force Pacific and Project Convergence.
Innovation Through Industry A key PMTEC strategy is to rapidly incorporate emerging industry technologies. This includes artificial intelligence-enabled training aids, autonomous system simulators, synthetic threat generators, and secure distributed networks. We established quarterly Commercial Industry Days and expanded partnerships with Naval Air Systems Command Program Management Activity 205, responsible for developing, acquiring, sustaining, and modernizing all aviation training systems used across naval aviation. This industry-forward approach has allowed the program to solve complex, rapidly evolving warfighting readiness challenges faster than traditional acquisition pathways.
Next Phase — “PMTEC 2.0” and the Future of Indo-Pacific Readiness The capability is now entering its next phase, expanding persistent, distributed live, virtual, and constructive training across the theater. This expansion integrates joint all-domain operations, specifically focusing on space, cyberspace, and electromagnetic spectrum capabilities.
PMTEC 2.0 also prioritizes interoperability between Special Operations Forces and conventional forces. To maintain decision advantage, the next phase incorporates artificial intelligence-enabled data fusion and decision support. Ultimately, this effort aims to deliver persistent training through theater-wide synthetic ranges, enabling 365-day joint and coalition training.
A Stronger, More Interoperable and Connected Indo-Pacific From 2023 to 2026, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has delivered a transformational leap in how the joint force and its allies and partners prepare for conflict. This growth reflects a fundamental truth: No nation secures the Indo-Pacific alone. We secure it together.
With the next generation of training on the horizon, the future of joint and coalition readiness has never looked more connected, more capable, or more ready.