BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Tuesday 18 June 2013 - HADR Ops Very Important Core Competency For Armed Forces - Colonel Douglas W. Pasnik, Chief of Regional Plans And Operations For Commaner S.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Head of the U.S. delegation participating in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and Military Medicine Exercise (ADMM PLUS HADR & MM Ex) had an exclusive interview with the Ministry of Defence on their preparation and involvement in the exercise.
With regards to challenges in this exercise, Colonel Pasnik firstly said “the challenges they have expected so far in bringing together a multi-national force is making sure they understand the proper procedures. I did a bit of follow up to organise our efforts.
Also, the exercise has a very ambitious goal of trying to make a Field Training Exercise and that makes for some particular challenges in underlining all of the resources to make sure they are all well employed in here. But, much like kind of most exercises, we see friction a lot of time when things first begin. But that’s unlike the technicalities we have to deal with in the real world. This is actually a very good experience to deal with each countries’ procedures, understanding command procedures and try to align our efforts to make sure we provide the right resources to deal with the problems.”
“I’ve learned that from all the nations that are here, Brunei is such a fabulous host. They are taking great care to make sure that the exercise is very well designed and off to a very good start. So now is only just a beginning of learning. But the one thing I want to say is all the participants are eager to demonstrate the capabilities but also able to bring together their forces. That is very, very refreshing,” said Col. Pasnik when asked about their preparations and experiences here in Brunei.
With regards to participating in the HADR exercise for the first time in the region, Col. Pasnik said that it has been exciting and a very rare opportunity to be able to have so many nations present at one event and one of the rare opportunities that they got here, not only to talk about things that are happening here but also somewhat lay the groundwork for things that can happen in the future so it is exciting.
Due to the recent trend of HADR operations, Col. Pasnik stressed that is an absolute must that HADR operations becomes a core competency for an armed forces. “If you are familiar within the region and this area of the world, it is 25 times more likely to have disasters occur. Typhoons and tsunamis are common occurrences so being prepared for this situation is important.” Col. Pasnik mentioned that he has been involved in mostly planning and work for future of HADR operations. He had experienced in the earthquake and tsunami. They also have staff planning for the flooding in Thailand and the recent flooding in the Philippines the last several years.
When asked what he wishes to see in the near future with regards to HADR exercises is, regardless what have already been conducted in the exercises, there is a hallmark of practicing of support and assistance especially in operations. “The types of problems that we deal with are very useful for our preparations, any problems; any military force has to deal with. With the logistics involved, command and control, the alignment of resources, there is a disparity of the tools to be able to work through, so as a core competency it should be the most fundamental.”
The U.S. are willing to participate in all events and looking forward to the ASEAN meetings. They are very ecstatic that are involved and invited in this event. “We really want to help and very happy to continue our support and efforts and see everyone develops their capabilities and quickly responds to the disasters in the future, “ said Col. Pasnik.
Closing the interview, Colonel Pasnik says, “Bruneians are so friendly and nice! It has been a fabulous event for Brunei, the most gracious host through all the planning and effort. Every one of your officers and staff are eager to address this problem and has been so friendly, it’s very refreshing. I would like to extend to the people of Brunei, to all the military participants our most gracious thank you for all the things that have been done to the US. I understand all the counterparts from the US represent all the services. The US army is here, navy, the air force also some NGOs and some of our experts are ecstatic to be here and are very thankful to be able to participate. We cannot wait to get started!”