The U.S. Army Pacific hosts the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force Activation Ceremony Sept. 23, 2022, on historic Palm Circle at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. The activation of an MDTF is part of a long-standing plan to increase capabilities for multi-domain operations in the Indo-Pacific region and is not tied to any current events.
SEE THE ORIGINAL
Gen. Charles A. Flynn, Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific, delivers remarks during the 3rd Multi-Area Task Force Activation Ceremony Sept. 23, 2022, on Palm Historic Circle at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. The activation of an MDTF is part of a long-standing plan to increase capabilities for multi-domain operations in the Indo-Pacific region and is not tied to any current events.
SEE THE ORIGINAL
Col. David A. Zinn unveils the colors of the 3rd Multi-Area Task Force during the 3rd MDTF Activation Ceremony Sept. 23, 2022, on Historic Palm Circle at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. The activation of an MDTF is part of a long-standing plan to increase capabilities for multi-domain operations in the Indo-Pacific region and is not tied to any current events.
SEE THE ORIGINAL
FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii — U.S. Army Pacific Commander General Charles A. Flynn constantly reminds people everywhere that the Indo-Pacific region is the most important theater for the United States. United of this century. The Army was listening and today activated its third Multi-Domain Task Force, the second such formation to be Pacific-aligned.
On historic Palm Circle, the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force unfurled its colors before assembled leaders and soldiers, and took its place among the other units that make up the U.S. Army Pacific, a command region that s covers half the surface of the world.
“While they don’t have a distinguished, storied history yet, this unit is quite special and unique,” Flynn said. “The Multi-Domain Task Force is a perfect example of how the Army creates combat advantages for the joint force.”
Multi-Domain Task Forces are the signature formations of Army Transformation and are theater-specific units that employ long-range precision effects, including cyber, electronic warfare, intelligence, and long-range fire. The concept of MDTF brings together existing lethal and non-lethal capabilities by integrating and synchronizing them across multiple domains – air, land, water, space, cyber – in order to overcome a specific target.
Gen. Charles A. Flynn, Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific, delivers remarks during the 3rd Multi-Area Task Force Activation Ceremony Sept. 23, 2022, on Palm Historic Circle at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. The activation of an MDTF is part of a long-standing plan to increase capabilities for multi-domain operations in the Indo-Pacific region and is not tied to any current events.
SEE THE ORIGINAL
Gen. Charles A. Flynn, Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific, passes the colors to Col. David A. Zinn, Commander, 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, during the 3rd MDTF Activation Ceremony September 23, 2022 , on the historic Palm Circle in Fort Shafter, Hawaii. The activation of an MDTF is part of a long-standing plan to increase capabilities for multi-domain operations in the Indo-Pacific region and is not tied to any current events.
SEE THE ORIGINAL
Col. David A. Zinn delivers remarks during the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force Activation Ceremony Sept. 23, 2022, on the historic Palm Circle at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. The activation of an MDTF is part of a long-standing plan to increase capabilities for multi-domain operations in the Indo-Pacific region and is not tied to any current events.
SEE THE ORIGINAL
The first MDTF became operational in 2017 at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Washington State, focusing on the Indo-Pacific. The second MDTF is in Germany aligned with US Army Europe and Africa. This third MDTF will base itself at Fort Shafter and become the second specialized unit to operate in the Indo-Pacific, or what the Department of Defense has called a “priority theater”.
“Our MDTFs are critical to enhancing joint readiness, enhancing interoperability with our allies and partners, and denying adversaries access to key terrain,” Flynn said.
The unit’s first commanding officer is Colonel David Zinn, an experienced theater officer who served in Hawaii and Korea.
“Our activation in Hawaii reflects the Army’s commitment to this theater as our nation’s priority. We are bringing increased capability and complementary capability to the joint force in the Pacific. Our training will provide the ability to synchronize long-range precision effects with long-range precision fire, providing greater freedom of action for the joint force,” said Zinn.
The U.S. Army Pacific has set a goal for the new MDTF to reach full operational capability in fiscal year 2023, and is currently evaluating opportunities for the unit to integrate into theater army exercises such as Operation Pathways, and also to work with allies and partners in the region.
