Army, Partner Forces Begin Simulated Combat in Hawaii

After days of preparation and staging across the Hawaiian archipelago, U.S. Army forces and their multinational partners began training against opposing forces during a Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center Rotation, Nov. 4.

This phase of the exercise tests the 25th Infantry Division's ability to seize and hold key terrain in a simulated contested, multidomain environment.

"We are leveraging the condition setting and synchronization of warfighting functions to enable our light fighters to win in close combat," said Army Brig. Gen. Robert Bryant, 25th Infantry Division deputy commander for support.

A key component of the transition relies on distributed access and mobility.

The exercise involves approximately 7,000 personnel, demonstrating the Army's commitment to readiness, interoperability with allies and partners, and its ability to provide flexible, combat-credible forces to the joint force in the Pacific region.

Operating on Maui and Oahu, the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade is working in tandem with elements of France's 6th Light Armored Brigade to secure forward arming and refueling points. This critical multinational integration extends the joint force's operational reach, allowing aviation assets to sustain continuous pressure and rapidly project combat power across the island chain.

Ground forces on Oahu and the Big Island are moving to secure their initial objectives. Elements of the 2nd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division applied fieldcraft, mobility and modernized command-and-control systems to navigate demanding jungle terrain.

In the next phase, the 11th Airborne Division will execute a mass tactical airborne jump, known as a joint forcible entry operation, into the Pōhakuloa Training Area to secure key infrastructure. The 25th Infantry Division will then fly infantry troops over water in a long-range air assault to reinforce the position. These early maneuvers set the conditions for sustained tactical success and endurance as the exercise continues, paving the way for massive joint integration in later phases.