Operation Pathways

File:U.S. and Malaysian Soldiers conduct patrols at Pacific Pathways exercise (15146979780).jpg and Malaysian Soldiers conduct patrols at Keris Strike 14]]

File:Garuda Shield 20014 140908-A-NV708-029.jpg soldier applies camouflage paint to his face during Garuda Shield 14]]

From August to November, one Pathway was completed as a proof of concept. About 820 personnel from the 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team were sent{{Cite report|url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/690/680982.pdf|title=Army Pacific Pathways: Comprehensive Assessment and Planning Needed to Capture Benefits Relative to Costs and Enhance Value for Participating Units|date=November 2016|publisher=United States Government Accountability Office|access-date=2019-04-20}} to complete three exercises, including Keris Strike in Malaysia,{{Cite news|url=https://www.army.mil/article/134825/Keris_Strike_14_wraps_up_in_Malaysia/|title=Keris Strike 14 wraps up in Malaysia|last=Gonzalez|first=Adora|date=2014-09-29|work=United States Army|access-date=2019-04-20}} Garuda Shield in Indonesia, and Orient Shield in Japan.

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In 2015, three Pathways were completed, numbered 15-1, 15-2, and 15-3.

File:Cobra Gold 2015 150210-A-SE706-087.jpg soldiers demonstrate how to properly handle and neutralize a king cobra to American soldiers during Cobra Gold 15]]

From January to May, about 880 personnel from the 2-25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team completed three exercises for Pathway 15-1, including Cobra Gold in Thailand, Foal Eagle in South Korea, and Balikatan in the Philippines.

File:Pacific Pathways 15-02 150807-A-GD362-022.jpg soldiers patrol the woods during Pacific Pathway 15-2]]

From June to October, the 3-25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team sent about 840 personnel to complete three exercises, including Hamel in Australia, Garuda Shield in Indonesia, and Keris Strike in Malaysia. Garuda Shield and Keris Strike were also completed in 2014.

In June and July, about 420 personnel from the 1-25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team completed three exercises for Pathway 15-3, including Khan Quest in Mongolia, Orient Shield in Japan, and Hoguk in South Korea.

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In 2016, Pathways 16-1, 16-2, and 16-3 were completed to increase Army readiness, increase Joint and interagency access and expand regional ally and partner collaboration and interoperability.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usarpac.army.mil/pdfs/Pacific%20Pathways%2016%20Tri-fold.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021150424/https://www.usarpac.army.mil/pdfs/Pacific%20Pathways%2016%20Tri-fold.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 21, 2016|title=USARPAC Pacific Pathways 2016 Tri fold|website=U.S. Army Pacific|access-date=2019-04-21}}{{Cite news|last=Tan|first=Michelle|date=2016-08-24|title=Army Grows Pacific Pathways, Ties with Asian Partners|work=Army Times|url=https://www.armytimes.com/pay-benefits/military-benefits/2016/08/25/army-grows-pacific-pathways-ties-with-asian-partners/|access-date=2019-04-21}}

File:Pacific Pathway 16-1 Helicopters on Vessel.jpg

From December 2015 to May 2016, about 835 personnel from the 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team completed three exercises,{{Cite news|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific-pathways-training-evolves-by-sending-asian-troops-to-us-1.413834|title=Pacific Pathways training evolves by sending Asian troops to US|last=Olson|first=Wyatt|date=2016-06-08|work=Stars and Stripes|access-date=2019-04-20}} including the Cobra Gold exercise in Thailand, the Foal Eagle exercise in South Korea, and the Balikatan exercise in the Philippines.

During the months of May to September, about 700 personnel from the 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team completed four different exercises, including the Hanuman Guardian exercise in Thailand, the Salaknib exercise in the Philippines, the Garuda Shield exercise in Indonesia, and the Keris Strike exercise in Malaysia.

From July to September, four exercises were completed, including the Tiger Balm exercise in Hawaii, United States, the Arctic Anvil exercise in Alaska, United States, the Orient Shield exercise in Japan, and the Rising Thunder exercise in Washington, United States. Tiger Balm, Arctic Anvil, and Rising Thunder were "Reverse Pathways," meaning that instead of the U.S. Army traveling abroad, the Singapore Army, Canadian Army, and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force visited the United States.

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In 2017, three Pathways (17-1, 17-2, and 17-3) were completed.

From February to May, three exercises were repeated from Pathways 15-1 and 16-1,{{Cite news|url=https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/1133042/ghost-brigade-tackles-cobra-gold-foal-eagle/|title=Ghost Brigade Tackles Cobra Gold, Foal Eagle|last=Haux|first=Kelly|date=2017-03-28|work=U.S. Indo-Pacific Command|access-date=2019-04-20}} including the Cobra Gold exercise in Thailand, the Foal Eagle exercise in South Korea, and the Balikatan exercise in the Philippines.

File:Garuda Shield 2017 Closing Ceremony.jpg and Indonesian soldiers saluting during the closing ceremony of Garuda Shield 2017]]

During the months of July to September, three exercises were completed, including the Tiger Balm exercise in Singapore,{{Cite news|url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/08/us-singapore-conclude-biggest-army-exercise/|title=US, Singapore Conclude Biggest Army Exercise|last=Parameswaran|first=Prashanth|date=2017-08-01|work=The Diplomat|access-date=2019-04-25}} the Keris Strike exercise in Malaysia, and the Garuda Shield exercise in Indonesia.

From July to September, four exercises were completed, including the Talisman Saber exercise in Australia, the Hanuman Guardian exercise in Thailand, the Orient Shield exercise in Japan,{{Cite news|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/us-japanese-troops-kick-off-orient-shield-exercise-near-mount-fuji-1.487112|title=US, Japanese troops kick off Orient Shield exercise near Mount Fuji|last=Cook|first=Leon|date=2017-09-11|work=Stars and Stripes|access-date=2019-04-25}} and the Rising Thunder exercise in Washington, United States (Reverse Pathway).

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Three Pathways were completed during the year of 2018. They were Pathways 18-1, 18-2, and 18-3.

Between February and May, three exercises were completed,{{Cite news|url=http://www.hawaiiarmyweekly.com/2018/02/08/599th-trans-bde-uploads-2ibct-for-pathways/|title=599th Trans. Bde. uploads 2IBCT for Pathways|last=Klapakis|first=Donna|date=2018-02-08|work=Hawaii Army Weekly|access-date=2019-04-21|archive-date=April 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422033949/http://www.hawaiiarmyweekly.com/2018/02/08/599th-trans-bde-uploads-2ibct-for-pathways/|url-status=dead}} including the Cobra Gold exercise in Thailand, the Key Resolve exercise in the Republic of Korea, and the Balikatan exercise in the Philippines.

From June to September, five exercises were completed,{{Cite news|url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/2017/12/29/new-in-2018-national-guard-unit-to-lead-pacific-pathways-for-first-time/|title=New in 2018: National Guard unit to lead Pacific Pathways for first time|last=Panzino|first=Charlsy|date=2017-12-29|work=Army Times|access-date=2019-04-21}} including the Hamel exercise in Australia, the Garuda Shield exercise in Indonesia, the Orient Shield exercise in Japan, the Keris Strike exercise in Malaysia, and the Hanuman Guardian exercise in Thailand. This Pacific Pathway was the first Army National Guard-led Pathway, conducted by the 76th IBCT from the Indiana Army National Guard, the 96th Troop Command from the Washington Army National Guard, and the 116th CBCT from the Idaho National Guard.

File:First Land-Based Missile Launch.jpg exercise]]

From May to September, four exercises were completed,{{Cite news|url=https://www.army.mil/article/212342/second_phase_of_multi_domain_task_force_pilot_headed_to_europe|title=Second phase of Multi-Domain Task Force pilot headed to Europe|last=Kimmons|first=Sean|date=2018-10-11|work=Army Times|access-date=2019-04-21}} including the Tiger Balm exercise in Hawaii, United States (Reverse Pathway with the Singapore Army), the RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) exercise in Hawaii, United States,{{Cite news|url=https://www.army.mil/article/209116/first_land_based_missile_launch_performed_at_rimpac_exercise|title=First land-based missile launch performed at RIMPAC exercise|last=Fikken|first=Nikki|date=2018-07-27|work=United States Army|access-date=2019-04-20}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.army.mil/article/207072/multi_domain_task_force_set_to_lead_pacific_pathways_rotation_in_first_overseas_tests|title=Multi-Domain Task Force set to lead Pacific Pathways rotation in first overseas tests|last=Kimmons|first=Sean|date=2018-06-15|work=United States Army|access-date=2019-04-21}} the Valiant Shield exercise in Guam, and the Rising Thunder exercise in Washington, United States (Reverse Pathway with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force). Two of these exercises were Reverse Pathways, and the other two were traditionally naval exercises that the United States Army joined in through the Multi-Domain Task Force (or MDTF) led by 17FAB as a part of the Army's pilot program for multi-domain operations.

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Three Pathways were completed in 2019 to include an extended presence Pathway, an MDTF Pathway, and a total force Pathway.

File:Cobra Gold 2019 Opening Ceremony.jpg greet Lt. Col. Scott Siegfried during the opening ceremony of Cobra Gold 19]]

File:Salaknib_Side-by-Side_Training_2019.jpg and Philippine Service Members train side-by-side during Salaknib 2019]]

File:5-20 Infantry conducts Security Mission at Palau Intl. Airport.jpg]]

From January to May, five exercises were completed,{{Cite news|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/consecutive-exercises-in-thailand-kick-off-new-twist-for-army-s-pacific-pathways-1.567605|title=Consecutive exercises in Thailand kick off new twist for Army's Pacific Pathways|last=Olson|first=Wyatt|date=2019-02-06|work=Stars and Stripes|access-date=2019-04-20}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/313696/us-and-philippine-service-members-train-side-side-during-salaknib-2019|title=U.S. and Philippine Service Members train side-by-side during Salaknib 2019|last=Solomon|first=Ariel|date=2019-03-08|work=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service|access-date=2019-04-20}} including the Hanuman Guardian exercise in Thailand,{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/217303/us_and_thai_armies_complete_exercise_hanuman_guardian_19|title=U.S. and Thai armies complete exercise Hanuman Guardian 19|last=Northrup|first=Samuel|date=2019-02-11|website=United States Army|access-date=2019-04-21}} the Cobra Gold exercise in Thailand,{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/217532/|title=Soldiers train with allies to survive the jungle|last=Northrup|first=Samuel|date=2019-02-18|website=United States Army|access-date=2019-04-22}} the Salaknib exercise in the Philippines,{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/218433/us_and_philippine_service_members_train_side_by_side_during_salaknib_2019|title=US, Philippine service members train side-by-side during Salaknib|last=Solomon|first=Ariel|date=2019-03-12|website=United States Army|access-date=2019-04-22}} the Balikatan exercise in the Philippines,{{Cite news|url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/04/10/rp-us-forces-engage-in-live-fire-exercise-as-part-of-balikatan-2019/|title=RP-US forces engage in live fire exercise as part of Balikatan 2019|last=Wakefield|first=Francis|date=2019-04-10|work=The Manila Bulletin|access-date=2019-04-22}} and the Palau exercise in Palau.{{Cite news|url=https://www.army.mil/article/220339/exercise_palau_2019_marks_largest_us_army_presence_on_palau_in_three_decades|title=Exercise Palau 2019 Marks Largest U.S. Army Presence on Palau In Three Decades|last=Houston|first=Whitney|date=2019-04-15|work=United States Army|access-date=2019-04-20}}{{Cite book|last=Finin|first=Gerard A.|title=The China Alternative: Changing Regional Order in the Pacific Islands|publisher=ANU Press|year=2021|editor-last=Smith|editor-first=Graeme|edition=1st|location=Australia|page=169|chapter=Associations Freely Chosen: New Geopolitics in the North Pacific|doi=10.2307/j.ctv1h45mkn.9|jstor=j.ctv1h45mkn.9|s2cid=241097985|editor-last2=Wesley-Smith|editor-first2=Terence|chapter-url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv1h45mkn.9}}

The 19-1 Pathway was the first extended presence in a priority nation, with four months in the Philippines. 19-1 also was the first dynamic force employment of the Pathways task force with a "spoke" to Palau from the Philippines.{{Cite news|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/us-soldiers-return-to-palau-for-exercise-after-37-year-hiatus-1.576150|title=US soldiers return to Palau for exercise after 37-year hiatus|last=Olson|first=Wyatt|date=2019-04-07|work=Stars and Stripes|access-date=2019-04-22}} Pathway forces for 19-1 were provided by 25ID, 1-2SBCT, and 25CAB.

File:Blackhawk Formation (48727481251).jpg flies over Yamaguchi Bay during Orient Shield 2019]]

19-2 consisted of two exercises from July to September focused on the multi-domain task force led by 2 ID DIVARTY and 17 FAB. The exercises in 19-2 were the Talisman Saber exercise in Australia, which was officially launched on July 8, 2019 on board the USS Ronald Reagan{{Cite web|url=https://australianaviation.com.au/2019/07/exercise-talisman-sabre-formally-launched-on-uss-ronald-reagan/|title=Exercise Talisman Sabre formally launched on USS Ronald Reagan|date=2019-07-08|website=Australian Aviation|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-11-30}} (A Chinese Type 815G spy ship also watched over the exercise, seeming to gather information about the interactions between the participating militaries.){{Cite web|url=https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/key-enablers/4371-talisman-sabre-launches|title=Spy Games: All eyes on Australia as Exercise Talisman Sabre launches|last=Dillon|first=Louis|date=2019-07-08|website=Defence Connect|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-11-30}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-12/chinese-spy-ship-arrives-near-talisman-sabre-war-games/11302694|title=See that thing that looks like a soccer ball? It's how this Chinese ship will spy on war games in Qld|last=Greene|first=Andrew|date=2019-07-12|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-11-30}} and the Orient Shield exercise in Japan.

File:Illinois Guardsmen prepare for international partnership at Rising Thunder.jpg

19-3 consisted of the Hamel exercise in Australia, a dynamic force employment to Fiji,{{Cite news|url=http://fijivillage.com/news/150-US-Army-soldiers-to-attend-Pacific-Pathways-exercise-in-Fiji-sk52r9/|title=150 U.S Army soldiers to attend Pacific Pathways exercise in Fiji|last=Danford|first=Iva|date=2019-03-04|work=Fijivillage|access-date=2019-04-20}} the Garuda Shield exercise in Indonesia, the Tiger Bomb/Lightning Strike exercise in Singapore, and the Rising Thunder exercise in Washington, United States (Reverse Pathway with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force)

Forces for Pathway 19-3 were provided by 2-25IBCT, 16CAB, and 33IBCT from ILARNG.

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In October 2018, General Robert Brooks Brown announced changes to the Pacific Pathways program to utilize the Pathways to compete with rivals in the Indo-Pacific area by spending longer time periods in priority nations to build deeper relationships. This design will mean that units will be in hubs in treaty nations for 4–6 months, and will be positioned west of the international date line. The Pathways forces will be able to also provide options to the INDOPACOM commander to assist partner nations in times of need or if needed to transition from competition to conflict.{{Cite news|url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/10/08/pacific-pathways-army-rotations-will-go-to-fewer-places-but-stay-longer/|title=Pacific Pathways: Army rotations will go to fewer places but stay longer|last=South|first=Todd|date=2018-10-08|work=Army Times|access-date=2019-04-21}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.defensenews.com/interviews/2018/11/26/head-of-us-army-pacific-command-talks-multidomain-challenges-in-the-region/|title=Head of US Army Pacific Command talks multidomain challenges in the region|last=Judson|first=Jen|date=2018-11-25|work=Army Times|access-date=2019-04-21}}

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Category:United States Army projects