Supporting US military priorities in the Indo-Pacific Region: Lessons learned from the Pacific Industry Forum

This means the elimination of stovepipes between services and their capabilities, and coordinated operations on land, in the air, on the sea, in space and in cyberspace, to show potential adversaries that conflict is not worth the potential cost.

The recent Pacific Industry Forum conference of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) in Honolulu, Hawaii, where GHD was the Platinum+ Sponsor, shared potential impacts. This conference focused on the role of the Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), a region that for the US military includes most of the Pacific Ocean, as well as a vast area from Australia through eastern Asia, including India and much of China. 

Three keys to success that emerged from the conference in Honolulu were:

A key aspect of success has been working closely with America’s allies. One of the closest partners in the region is Australia, and teamwork between the two countries’ armed forces is longstanding. The INDOPACOM identified 10 infrastructure projects with a value of $700M planned for Australia. Accordingly, existing facilities particularly in the Darwin area in the north of the country are being expanded, so US, Australian and other allied aircraft can be positioned close to potential conflict zones.

Part of the strategy is to better engage nations in the Indo-Pacific theatre. At the Pacific Industry Forum, US INDOPACOM identified over $8.9B in projects of interest in countries and territories including the Philippines, Palau, Papa New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Guam and other island nations. Guam was one of the prominent investment areas with $2.8B earmarked for project investment. These infrastructure investments will include piers, runways, hangars, and other infrastructure supporting the Navy.

Furthermore, NAVFAC Hawaii discussed several IDIQ contracts to be solicited in 2024, including a $90M unrestricted multi-disciplinary (Civil) contract and a $49M unrestricted architecture contract.

One of the emphases of the conference in Honolulu was the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI), a U.S. Navy program to bolster deterrence and maintain the U.S. competitive advantage in the Pacific.

Investments under the PDI highlight key efforts towards modernizing and strengthening the U.S. Navy’s presence in the Pacific; improving logistics, maintenance, and pre-positioning; carrying out exercises, training, and experimentation; improving infrastructure; building defense capabilities of allies and partners; and improving capabilities available to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Key areas for infrastructure investment include the Northern Territory of Australia, the U.S. overseas territory of Guam, as well as Hawaii.

The PDI also highlights investments to improve allied and partner capabilities, and to develop innovative concepts to counter threats through advanced technologies.

Just as the PDI encourages working with allies throughout the region, there’s a need for the military to partner with the private sector. While the U.S. military has significant engineering capability of its own, it depends on private-sector suppliers, construction contractors and engineering firms to do most of its work. 

One of the keys to success is to work with engineering firms that can deliver results. GHD stands ready to support this vital US initiative through:

• Familiarity in working with the US military, including the need to meet safety and security requirements.
• Offices throughout the region, staffed by people with locally-relevant professional credentials, who speak local languages, understand the local ways of work, and understand the permitting processes.
• Experience working with sub-contractors and suppliers in the area.

GHD looks forward to supporting the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to achieve its objectives of maintaining regional peace and prosperity.