Defender Pacific

Defender Pacific is a large-scale, U.S. Army-led multinational exercise series designed to enhance strategic readiness and interoperability in the Indo-Pacific region. Initiated in 2020, the exercise focuses on the rapid deployment and integration of combat-credible forces to deter aggression and respond to crises, reinforcing the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Historical Context

The Defender Pacific series was conceived to test and validate the U.S. military’s ability to project power across the vast distances of the Pacific theater. In 2021, the exercise evolved into Operation Pathways, building upon the existing Pacific Pathways program established in 2014. This evolution aimed to create a more integrated and continuous presence in the region by linking multiple military exercises into cohesive operational deployments.

Recent Exercises

• Defender Pacific 20 (2020): Served as a proof of concept, demonstrating strategic readiness by deploying combat-credible forces across the theater. The exercise involved a series of linked events, including command post exercises and field training, to enhance joint operational capabilities.
• Defender Pacific 21 (2021): Expanded to a division-sized exercise, focusing on joint multi-domain operations to support Indo-Pacific Command objectives. The exercise tested the Army’s ability to conduct large-scale deployments and sustainment operations in a contested environment.
• Operation Pathways (2022-Present): Building upon the Defender Pacific framework, Operation Pathways integrates multiple exercises to maintain a persistent presence in the region. These operations enhance interoperability with allies and partners, focusing on joint training, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.