The Association of the United States Army's Land Forces Pacific Symposium and Exhibition highlights the role of land forces in the Indo-Pacific region. After a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the theme for this year's in-person LANPAC meeting centered on strengthening alliances and partnerships within the region, which spans nearly the half the globe.

The U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command participated in the 2022 LANPAC meeting, held May 17-19 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The event served as an opportunity for the command to highlight current medical research efforts and to gain valuable insight into the needs of the operating forces within the region. USAMRDC's engagement at LANPAC included a panel discussion and an exhibit, co-hosted with the 18^th Medical Command.

"The opportunity to share the exhibit space with 18^th MEDCOM provided a unique opportunity to discuss how the two organizations work together to support the medical needs of the Warfighter," said Brig. Gen. Tony McQueen, commanding general of USAMRDC and Fort Detrick. "As we continuously evaluate what the battlefield of the future will look like, this was a chance to not only highlight our current work in support of the region but to also better understand the future medical challenges that the U.S., our partners and allies may encounter."

The combined exhibit included representatives from 18^th MEDCOM as well as subject matter experts from USAMRDC's Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine. Each USAMRDC direct reporting unit provided valuable insight on topics of particular importance to forces in the Indo-Pacific region, including emerging infectious diseases as well as heat and altitude research.

Dr. Adam Potter, Research Physiologist at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine and Maj. Thomas Cotrone of the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences speak with LANPAC attendees about current and ongoing research efforts (Photo by Chelsea Bauckman, USAMRDC Public Affairs).

Dr. John Dye, a research scientist at USAMRIID highlighted lessons learned and additional reflections on pandemic preparedness during a panel presentation on May 17. The panel was chaired by Maj. Gen. Michael Place, commanding general of the 18^th Medical Command and command surgeon of the United States Army Pacific Command. "It was an honor to take part in this panel on behalf of MRDC and USAMRIID," said Dye. "Sharing our important role in the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging infectious disease response capabilities and how we can be better prepared in the future was an immense privilege."

The LANPAC symposium welcomed nearly 2,000 attendees and more than 20 international armies during the course of the three-day event. The exhibit saw approximately 100 visitors throughout the exhibition; as the only medically-focused exhibit at the event offering an unmatched perspective on current and future medical support, research and development efforts.

USAMRDC's presence at the meeting was an invaluable opportunity to share information and develop relationships as the region remains a top focus for the Department of Defense; earlier this month, the Army and DOD announced plans for additional joint training with allies and partners in the area. "Our relationships with allies and partners are a lynchpin enabling a free and open Indo-Pacific," said Gen. Charles Flynn, commander of U.S. Army Pacific. "Through exercises and engagements, we improve our ability to work together and build our collective strength."