U'S' Pacific Command Vietnam Program

1
U.S. Pacific Command Vietnam Program

• Dr. David Banks
• 8 October 2009

2
Sponsor and Funding

• Sponsor United States Pacific Command (PACOM)
• Funding 4 Individual applications were approved
  by PACOM for
• 2 - Information exchanges and ICS training
• 1 - Vietnam delegation visit to PACOM HQ and
• observe a U.S. exercise
• 1 - Observation and review of Search and Rescue
  curriculum
• Mechanism - Asia Pacific Regional Initiative
  (APRI) and MIPR

3
Goals and Objectives

• Purpose Investigate how PACOM could develop an
  integrated long term program to further Theater
  Security Cooperation with the country of Vietnam.
• Program CAW investigated the use of a
  humanitarian program and performed a country
  assessment on Vietnams search and rescue
  capabilities.
• Interagency coordination included
• USPACOM J-5
• U. S. Coast Guard District
  14
• U.S. Coast Guard HQ
• Vietnam Search and Rescue Committee
• Vietnam Marine Police

4
Implementation

• CAW
• Developed and executed a four phase plan
• 1. Introduction and Survey
• Performed country assessment
• Developed the criteria for subject matter experts
• Established goals for the Vietnamese Search and
  Rescue Committee (VINASARCOM) to increase
  capacity of Search and Rescue capability that is
  consistent with international standards
• 2. Education and Training
• Reviewed Vietnam SAR curriculum
• Improved Vietnam SAR Disaster Management
  Education and Training
• 3. Bilateral Exchange Exercise
• Supported integration of Vietnam policy framework
  for SAR and disaster management in conformance to
  national and international requirements
• Conducted information sharing and exchange to
  promote capacity building and broaden scope of
  cooperation
• 4. Regional Contribution Exercise
• Building block approach to integrated regional
  disaster response exercise

5
Summary of Accomplishments

• CAW
• Assessed the Vietnam Search and Rescue
  capabilities (Multiple Sites)
• Conducted multiple Subject Matter Expert
  information exchange that included ICS and NIMS
  training - Hanoi
• Reviewed curriculum and observed SAR training at
  the VINASARCOM School in Nha Trang
• Coordinated military delegation visit
• PACOM HQ high level meeting with Admiral Keating
  and Vietnam senior military delegation to advance
  program
• Washington DC to visit USCG and various other
  agencies
• Coordinated a military delegation to observe
  MAKANI PAHILI exercise in Hawaii to learn how the
  US responds to a natural disaster

6
Summary of Accomplishments Cont

• Observed Vietnam TTX and demonstration exercise
  in Mekong Delta (First time U.S. has observed an
  exercise of this magnitude since the end of
  Vietnam war)
• Broadened the relationship between the U.S. and
  Vietnam
• Established and coordinated long term planning
  and engagement with Vietnam on Search and Rescue

7
SAR Exercise/Demonstration
Places Visited
Exercise
8
2009 Search and Rescue (SAR)Exercise

• Major Typhoon in Mekong Delta
• Looked at Katrina, Myanmar
• One of the largest exercises in this area
• Invitation to observe was a big thing
• First with outside (US)
• Signed off by the Prime Minister

The most vulnerable area in Viet Nam to Typhoons
9
Part I. Table Top Exercise

• Over 300 Participants/observers
• Large room two non-Vietnamese
• Charts were generic (not specific)
• Lots of media coverage
• Deputy PM was there, and spoke

• Witnessed 3 Group Meetings
• Province
• District
• Hamlet
• All about an hour (each)
• Discussed readiness for Typhoon

10
Part II. Water Events

• A major event in the Local Area
• Large Viewing area
• Deputy-PM was there

11
Part II. Water Events
Notification
Rescue
Enforcement
Fishing Fleet Returns
Under Tow
12
Part III. Evacuation
Our host LGEN Khue
By Public Transportation
Forced Evacuation (with personal property-Pets)
Personal Transportation
13
Part IV. Clearance
Interested People
Multi-purpose Chicken
What Next?
Road Clearance
14
Life in Vietnam
Five to a Bike
Live Water Buffalo
15
Results

• Relationship between the U.S. and Vietnam
  stronger with an emphasis on U.S. PACOM
• Able to describe American government as a part of
  ICS training module
• Vietnam more receptive to mil-to-mil engagement
  in the future
• Vietnam heavy focus on disaster management (Civil
  Mil)
• CAW will continue to focus on civil-military
  integration to increase the capacity of Vietnam
  to respond to a disaster