Army in the Pacific adopts new style of deployment - Pacific - Stripes
The Army in the Pacific is starting a new deployment concept this week that sends soldiers out into the region for multiple exercises and longer stays in foreign countries that are intended to reassure partner nations and develop closer relationships as the United States continues its "rebalance" to the Pacific.
Developed out of Fort Shafter, "Pacific Pathways" also is a new Army strategy to stay relevant as large occupational land forces that are costly and slow to mobilize become less viable.
About 550 soldiers with the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team out of Washington state and supporting units are heading to Indonesia for the exercise Garuda Shield in the first iteration of Pacific Pathways, the Army said.
The soldiers will utilize nine Stryker armored vehicles and eight helicopters.
About 500 other 2nd Stryker and supporting soldiers will head to Malaysia with 11 Stryker vehicles and three helicopters for the exercise Keris Strike, which overlaps with the Indonesia training.
The first group of 550 soldiers and others will then leapfrog over to Japan for Orient Shield, the Army said.
