The U.S. Pacific Integrated Air & Missile Defense Center (PIC) hosted the Multilateral Table Top Experiment (MTTX) from 12-16 December. The groundbreaking event held in conjunction with the 94th Army and Air Missile Defense Command (AAMDC) brought together air and missile defense operators and subject matter experts from eight Asia-Pacific nations including participation from the Royal Australian Air Force, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and observation from the Royal Singapore Air Force. The event established a rich environment for open collaboration, exchange of perspectives and concerns, and the sharing of regional air surveillance and missile defense visions all-the-while building connections among allies and partners.
Subject matter expert exchanges were provided by the combatant commander and multiple components as well. US Indo-Pacific Command explained IAMD Vision 2028, US Pacific Fleet shared its maritime IAMD capabilities and techniques, US Pacific Air Forces covered the homeland defense of Guam and Hawaii, and finally the Missile Defense Agency and the Joint Ballistic Missile Defense Training and Education Center stressed the importance of integration and interoperability among allies and partners in the region. The exchanges united like-minded allies and partners to stand ready to deter conflict, or fight and win if deterrence fails.
Maj. Gen. Brian Gibson, the 94th AAMDC commanding general and keynote speaker, provided opening comments highlighting the importance of integrated air and missile defense in safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific. The constantly evolving threats in the region illustrate the need for all nations to work together in order to be successful. Australian Army Maj. Gen. Chris Smith, the Deputy Commanding General of Strategy and Plans for U.S. Army Pacific, echoed those remarks and highlighted the importance of joining together as one team by integrating defensive systems, sharing IAMD knowledge, and learning from each other’s missile defense lessons in order to reap the benefits of collaboration.
The culminating tabletop wargaming event provided the eight participating nations the opportunity to develop and build a defense design for fictional islands against an array of ballistic and cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The proprietary IAMD software simulated enemy attacks on the team’s defense design and provided valuable lessons learned about information sharing and the synergy gained from a common defense strategy. The playback of the enemy attacks and the effects of their defense design was made available for each defense operator to take home to their respective nations. Throughout the event, visits occurred on board the Sea-Base X-Band Radar (SBX-1) and the 613th Air and Space Operations Center. Based on the resounding success of the event planning has already begun for next year’s event.
