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The event, hosted by USINDOPACOM J7 Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability (PMTEC) and the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Hawaii, a program of the Defense Innovation Unit, connected military leaders with industry representatives to outline a path toward a more integrated, all-domain training and operations ecosystem in the region.
As the lead for joint training and exercises, USINDOPACOM J7 plays a critical role in shaping the command’s approach to modern warfare. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and fostering industry collaboration, J7 ensures that the joint force remains ready to address emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific. The J7 Directorate oversees initiatives like PMTEC, which is central to creating a persistent, theater-wide multi-domain training ecosystem. Dr. Andre Stridiron, PMTEC program manager, described the initiative's progress in developing what he termed the "Pacific Impact Zone" – a network of training facilities and technologies spanning the Indo-Pacific region. The program aims to integrate space capabilities, cyber operations, other non-kinetic capabilities, and special operations forces into regular training exercises. "We're building on the successes of the last two years to create a persistent, theater-wide multi-domain training ecosystem," Stridiron said. He highlighted the upcoming Valiant Shield 26 exercise as a key milestone and announced a new research partnership with Johns Hopkins University focused on artificial intelligence and digital twin technologies. PMTEC, under the leadership of J7, addresses a practical challenge: the Pacific Ocean covers more than 60 million square miles, making traditional joint training exercises in the Indo-Pacific region logistically complex and expensive. By connecting geographically dispersed ranges through virtual and simulated environments, and harnessing the latest technology, forces can train together more frequently without extensive travel. PMTEC’s quarterly industry meeting included updates from recent training events that demonstrated both progress and remaining challenges. Dave Bednarcik, PMTEC's range and targets program manager, discussed Exercise Cobra Gold 2026 (February 24 - March 6), a joint exercise with Thai forces that practiced Combined Joint All-Domain Operations (CJADO) – coordinating actions across land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains. This year’s iteration included a number of firsts, including the exercise’s first successful bilateral common operating picture (COP) for CJADO, made possible by digital architecture that synched and translated satellite, radio, and other communications with specialized equipment that provided continuous, secure connectivity even during rapid movement and in remote, austere environments. Despite such technological achievements, gaps remain in creating fully realistic training environments. Bednarcik identified a specific need for industry support in developing more realistic training targets. Mary Ann Swendsen, PMTEC's experimentation integrator, said industry support is also needed to develop capabilities aligned with the Department of War's AI strategy. She shared lessons learned from recent exercises, particularly regarding operational security in digital environments. According to Swendsen, the exercises successfully tested simulated information environments and digital twin technology, and industry plays a key role in further developing foundational enablers. Significant warfighting enablers also include space and cyber capabilities. PMTEC Space Integrator Andy Emslie and Director, Space Development Agency Pacific, Daniel Hannah, detailed efforts to integrate capabilities such as electronic warfare and missile warning systems into exercises. They identified the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture as a key component and highlighted opportunities for industry collaboration in this domain. To ensure these cumulative lessons learned and technological advances are put to best use, Regional Joint Training Infrastructure (RJTI) Chief Engineer Len Matsunaka and RJTI Integrated Project Team Lead Todd Hall, briefed the cloud-based platform designed for mission rehearsal. USINDOPACOM is seeking industry partners with certified capabilities to help develop this training platform. USINDOPACOM’s technology priorities include live-virtual-constructive integration—connecting live forces with simulated elements to create comprehensive training scenarios; data analytics and assessment tools to process and analyze training data to improve performance evaluation; non-kinetic effects simulation tools to replicate cyber-attacks, electronic warfare, and information operations in training environments, and technologies that enable secure information sharing between U.S., ally and partner forces across different classification levels. Maj. Tuan Nguyen, who represents industry engagement for the J83 Joint Validation Division, provided guidance for companies interested in working with USINDOPACOM. He directed potential partners to the command's online portal at https://www.pacom.mil/Contact/Industry-Engagements/ and emphasized the importance of understanding military requirements before submitting proposals. "Do your homework on our requirements, submit a high-quality and specific request, and submit it early," Nguyen said, noting the high volume of industry interest. Interested companies can also engage through other channels, including technology sprints, innovation workshops and industry forums where specific technical requirements are discussed. “For companies with relevant capabilities, PMTEC offers an opportunity to contribute to defense preparedness while testing and refining their technologies in operational environments,” said PMTEC Industry Engagement Lead, Brent Parker. For more information on PMTEC Industry Engagement events and activities, contact Brent Parker at [brent.m.parker2.ctr@us.navy.mil](mailto:brent.m.parker2.ctr@us.navy.mil).
Master Sgt. Matthew Hall, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit assistant operations chief supporting counter-landing and amphibious operations, said PMTEC’s contributions transformed the exercise.
“These drones and everything that are coming in is putting Marines in the mindset of, ‘Instead of fighting in a 2D world, now it’s a 3D world,’” Hall said. “It forces them to think critically about threats from every direction.” PMTEC worked with the U.S. Army’s Threat Systems Management Office and Project Manager Training Devices, also known as PM TRADE, to provide high-fidelity unmanned systems that replicated the capabilities of peer adversaries, aligning with the Department of War’s theme of “lethality forged through realism.”
PMTEC coordinated maneuvering Hammerhead unmanned surface vessels to simulate an adversary amphibious assault during the counter-landing exercise.
“They were able to actually source unmanned surface vessels to simulate an actual beach assault from an adversary force,” Hall said. “It gives U.S. and coalition forces an actual target to defend against without putting strain on partner forces.”
These maritime targets forced U.S., Thai and Republic of Korea forces to detect, track and defeat a realistic, fast-moving threat, mirroring the challenges of modern littoral warfare.
PMTEC also delivered Outlaw Group 2 unmanned aircraft systems, first-person-view drones and one-way attack drones that replicated emerging aerial threats seen in contemporary conflicts.
“This is the emerging threat technology around the world,” Hall said. “Getting those technologies and being able to mesh that all together on how peer adversaries would fight is what we’re trying to get after.” These systems enabled combined forces to rehearse offensive and defensive counter-UAS tactics, including tracking threat targets with the FIM-92 Stinger.
“It was probably some of the best training we could have gotten because this is a realistic situation on how drones would act, flying left to right, nose-diving toward us,” said Lance Cpl. Graham Gleaton, 1st Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. “It gave us a better gauge to see how fast and efficient we should be to activate the missile and shoot down the drone before it gets close to friendly territory.”
“You don’t get this chance every day,” said Gleaton. “This is something that we always ask for, and we finally got to do it. This is a great opportunity for our younger enlisted gunners, who get the opportunity to get that missile on their shoulder and go through the whole engagement.”
Thai Royal Navy Cmdr. Weerakamon Suanchan, 1st Artillery Battalion officer in charge of the counter-landing exercise, said the high-threat targets made the training more realistic. According to Suanchan, training alongside U.S. and Republic of Korea Marines in a realistic environment was “awesome.”
“What we can share here is better than reading about it in a book or doctrine online,” Suanchan said. Hall echoed that sentiment saying that PMTEC’s contributions ensured every participating nation trained to the same high standard.
“It doesn’t matter which country you’re from — we’re all here for the same reason,” Hall said. “If we all have the same threat picture and can share the same TTPs (tactics, techniques and procedures) and SOPs (standard operating procedures), it’s only going to make us stronger.”