Island Voices
Army is changing its future

By Lt. Gen. Edwin P. Smith
Commanding general, U.S. Army forces in the Pacific

With the Army's recent announcement about transforming one light infantry brigade in Alaska and one in Hawai'i to an "interim brigade combat team," the Army in this region of the world continues on a path of modernization, improved capabilities and contributions to assigned missions.

This announcement is good news for both states.

Army transformation is a process of major change, probably the most profound in my 34 years of service. It is a series of steps, all linked, that anticipates future requirements and missions. It is far more than just a change of equipment and organization.

Transformation here and throughout the force will affect every part of the Army. It will provide a series of connected improvements, from the organization and use of formations, to support for installation management and infrastructure (barracks, housing, training and logistical support facilities), to how leaders will command and control the new forces. It will continue a dramatic evolution in how information is collected, analyzed and used by all Army forces. It will include environmental partnering and stewardship.

Transformation will involve a steady process of doing our best to link together systems that will guarantee better Army capabilities and better trained and cared-for troops and families, as the larger Army takes on a new shape and postures for future roles and missions, those foreseen and those we anticipate around the corner.

For the past two years, Army commanders and staffs in Alaska and Hawai'i have been identifying new requirements related to receiving, housing, training and employing these new units. New training facilities and other support areas will be needed, and everywhere we intend to put these units, we will be conducting detailed environmental analyses to ensure we make good decisions and support our environmental partnership with our neighbors.

While there will be an increase in military vehicles in these units, we do not see any significant impact to traffic on major civilian roads. With new weaponry added, we do see many of our present gunnery ranges requiring reconfiguration to meet proper qualification standards, but we remain committed to using, not abusing, all of our training areas in an environmentally responsible manner as we ensure the readiness of all our forces.

We will continue to review all of our installations to make sure we have the right kind of infrastructure, in terms of both people and facilities, to support efficiently the mix of present-day and newly forming forces. Privatization of parts of our supporting structure may play an important role, but only where merited, as both a cost-effective and common-sense solution.

Upgrading our installation in terms of removing excess infrastructure, or that which is not at modern-day standards, will continue as well. We have a long way to go, but will aggressively seek fair long-term solutions that exploit best business practices and sustainable approaches to modernizing all facilities that need it as fast as resource availability will permit.

The Army has placed new importance on forces assigned to this region. These are very dynamic times, and we now have the opportunity to link readiness and modernization in support of the military's mission of promoting peaceful development in the Asia-Pacific region. That part of our Army in this region will leverage this transformation and continue to execute a doable spectrum of assigned tasks effectively, setting an example of capability and values worthy of note by all.

We appreciate and are confident that our strong partnership with the citizens of Hawai'i and Alaska will continue during this transition as we prepare for the challenges ahead.