Gen. Ronald Clark, commander of U.S. Army Pacific, speaks with reporters during the Land Forces Pacific, or LANPAC, symposium in Wakiki Beach, Hawaii, May 12, 2026. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes)
WAIKIKI BEACH, Hawaii — The U.S. Army’s transformation initiative is moving from doctrine to real-world changes, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, leaders said recently at the Land Forces Pacific symposium.
Throughout the May 12-14 event, top Army officials discussed how the service is evolving for a Pacific fight — a region dominated by distant islands and logistical challenges.
For the Army, this means reorganizing command structures, building out long-range fire capabilities and using artificial intelligence to tackle problems in minutes rather than days.
“Land forces are working relentlessly across this theater to gain and maintain positional advantage with decisive land power,” Gen. Ronald Clark, commander of U.S. Army Pacific, said during a May 12 media roundtable at the Sheraton Waikiki.
The symposium — hosted by the Association of the United States Army — brings together U.S. and partner nations’ leaders annually to share tactics and explore new technology. This year it drew 25 international delegations, 16 army chiefs and over 2,500 participants, according to a Friday news release from the U.S. Army.
“The Indo-Pacific is one of the most consequential regions in the world, and gatherings like this demonstrate the power of partnership, trust and shared commitment,” Clark said at the roundtable.
He pointed to several changes to highlight the results, including a gain of about 40,000 soldiers at Army Pacific since last year and innovations in technology — including AI, communications and electronic warfare.
More than 2,500 people attended the annual Land Forces Pacific, or LANPAC, symposium in Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, May 12-14, 2026. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes)
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, I Corps commander, gives a presentation during the Land Forces Pacific, or LANPAC, symposium in Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, May 13, 2026. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes)
Among the changes discussed throughout the week was the upcoming redesignation of the I Corps’ 7th Infantry Division into the new Multi-Domain Command-Pacific, a two-star command that will combine the 7th ID and the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force.
Developments weren’t confined to Hawaii or the West Coast.
In Japan, the Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force are discussing efforts to expand watercraft capacity for joint use — a critical method for moving troops and equipment in the region — Maj. Gen. James Dooghan, commander of U.S. Army Japan, said during a Wednesday panel.
On the Korean Peninsula, U.S. forces are looking to build a regional sustainment hub alongside South Korea’s advanced manufacturing base that could counter the “tyranny of distance” faced by troops in the region, Lt. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, commander of Eighth Army, said during a separate Wednesday panel.
And the military is also probing emerging technology, particularly AI, to tackle longstanding issues such as delayed resupplies, a panel of experts said May 12.
Speakers also highlighted the importance of the U.S. and its allies in the region. Clark thanked the participants as the event closed.
“The Indo-Pacific is one of the most consequential regions in the world, and gatherings like this demonstrate the power of partnership, trust, and shared commitment,” he said.