Army serves with distinction in Pacific

The Army celebrates its 243rd birthday June 14 with a theme of “Over There! A Celebration of Army Heroes from World War I to Present Day.” It’s been 100 years since our victory in Europe, but the Army was here in the Pacific two decades earlier. American soldiers deployed to the Philippines in 1898 after the Spanish-American War; shortly thereafter, the Army made its first appearance in Hawaii, establishing Camp McKinley in the shadow of Diamond Head. Thus began the long and unique relationship between the dedicated men and women of the United States Army and the people of the great state of Hawaii.

The Army birthday is an opportunity to celebrate service to the country. The saying, “There was an Army before there was a Nation,” recalls the formation of the first American Army on June 14, 1775, a year before our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. The Army’s legacy teaches us the sacrifice required to win our nation’s freedom, the service necessary to maintain our independence, and the responsibility inherent in upholding national security and regional stability.

Our nation needs a ready and responsive Army in the Indo-Pacific to deter and, if necessary defeat, threats from those who would do us harm. We operate in the most complex environment, spanning more than half the Earth and home to four of the five national security challenges — North Korea, China, Russia and violent extremists. The natural disaster threats of the Ring of Fire compound that complexity.

The “fight tonight” readiness required due to this security environment demands constant training here in Hawaii for our Army. This daunting obligation — to defend what we hold dearest — applies to where we live as well. The Army is committed to safeguarding the long-term sustainability of Hawaii’s resources and to nurturing our relationships with the people of the state.

Of the 400 threatened and endangered plants and animals in Hawaii, some live only on Army training lands. Through the work of the U.S. Army-Hawaii’s Natural Resources Program, we balance our training requirements with efforts to protect and conserve over 100 endangered Hawaiian species and their critical habitats, including plants, snails, birds, bats and insects. The Natural Resources Program has saved two plant species from extinction.

Just last month, the Hawaiian Electric Co. and Army co-hosted a dedication ceremony for the new Schofield Generating Station, the only Oahu power plant above the tsunami line. A joint renewable energy project between HECO and the Army, this facility is the first of its kind and will run on a combination of bio and conventional fuels to reduce its impact on the environment.

The strength of our community depends on volunteers. Since the mid-1980s, the School Partnership Program, in conjunction with the Hawaii Department of Education, allows soldiers to be involved in the education and lives of our keiki by coaching, mentoring, helping with homework and improving facilities. Today, 52 public schools benefit from Army unit partnerships.

Last April, Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets from Oahu, Alaska and California participated in the 13th Annual Waianae Adventure Challenge, a multiday team physical fitness test of physical endurance and leadership. Soldiers of 25th Infantry Division were right alongside the young cadets helping to evaluate, coach, encourage and motivate.

U.S. Army Pacific believes in the spirit of ohana and recognizes our kuleana. We are committed to fostering our community relationships and maintaining an environmental stewardship that protects Hawaii’s natural resources while ensuring the readiness of our forces to fight tonight. We ask for your continued support to the Army and all our military forces.

One Team!

Gen. Robert B. Brown is the commander of U.S. Army Pacific, Fort Shafter.