With all eyes fixed on the Middle East, it is easy to forget that Pacific Command is responsible for 51% of the world, including India and the hotly disputed area of Kashmir. Detractors snort and call America the world's police (or worse) but the image it brings to mind is fairly accurate. Through the Indonesian tsunami to the mudslides in Leyte, PACOM has been there to offer assistance, provide clean water and medical care, bury the dead and help rebuild.

It's no secret that America possesses the world's largest and strongest military, but many may not realize that there is so much more to it than "killing people and breaking things". Throughout Asia-Pacific they work day after day alongside the governments and militaries of countries with burgeoning economies, tribal strife, religious warfare and dictatorial regimes. Like a friend and teacher, they are there to bring these countries and territories out of their dark struggles and into a prosperous future.

Over the next couple of days I will tell you a little bit more about PACOM and my visit there. I feel the need to break it down into individual pieces (it must be a blogger thing - we have short attention spans and think you must, too).

Labels: Hawaii, PACOM