Indo-Pacific region mission

The commander of the U.S. military in the Indo-Pacific region, Admiral Aquilino, has identified the Chinese Communist Party and Russia as significant threats in the area. These threats are outlined in the U.S. national defense strategy, particularly emphasizing Russia’s illegitimate invasion of Ukraine.

Admiral Aquilino oversees all U.S. military operations across the expansive Indo-Pacific region, which spans 36 countries from India to Carabosse, encompassing 14 time zones and half of the world’s population. This vast area is commonly referred to as IndoPACOM.

His responsibilities include managing various volatile situations, ranging from the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (KDZ).

Admiral Aquilino articulated his primary mission as twofold: firstly, to prevent conflicts in the region, and secondly, to be prepared to effectively engage and succeed if conflicts arise.

Central to the latter objective is the integration and synchronization of U.S. forces with allies and partners. Admiral Aquilino emphasized the significance of alliances, friendships, and partnerships throughout the region, both in military and economic terms.

He highlighted the immense strength derived from collaborative efforts, stating that the combined capabilities of the U.S. and its partners far exceed those of any potential adversary. This, he believes, underscores the challenge faced by any adversary in confronting the interconnected network of like-minded nations in today’s globalized world.

Admiral Aquilino pointed to several joint exercises as examples of this collaborative approach. For instance, the Talisman Sabre exercise, originally a bilateral U.S.-Australian event, has evolved to include the participation of 12 to 14 nations, demonstrating the broadening scope of cooperation across the Pacific region.