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A Capability Ahead of Strategy Deliberate operations, activities, and investments have consistently supported U.S. national security and national defense strategies. Designed from inception to address the Indo-Pacific’s vast distances, contested domains, and rapidly evolving threats, the capability has become a model for how the Department of War prepares forces for the future fight.
“This program is a cornerstone of the Department’s strategy to maintain a ready joint force and sustain our technological superiority,” said Col. Bill "Wild" Strohecker, director of joint exercises and training, Office of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness.
“By harnessing live, virtual, and constructive environments, we provide an unparalleled platform for innovation… Through this capability, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has established itself as a leading voice in the Department for how we are successfully preparing the joint force for this environment.”
Breakthrough Achievements (2022–2026) The PMTEC integration office was established as part of the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in 2022, and by 2023 PMTEC quickly achieved the linking of key ranges between Hawaii, Guam, and the continental United States. This effort established a scalable, coalition-centric architecture built for all-domain operations, including space, cyberspace, and the electromagnetic spectrum.
In 2024, the enterprise launched forward operations in Guam during Valiant Shield. This milestone enabled the first high-end live, virtual, and constructive aviation training west of the International Date Line. Real aircraft—including EA-18G Growlers and F/A-18 Super Hornets—fought virtual adversaries in real time, marking a historic leap in Indo-Pacific readiness.
The enterprise supported multiple major exercises, including Northern Edge 2025, and fielded advanced data models that dramatically improved distributed debriefing processes. In 2026, the focus shifted to coalition integration at scale. The enterprise enabled multiple live maritime strike rehearsals and an eight-nation common operating picture during Balikatan 2026, supported advanced integrated air and missile defense training with unmanned systems, and will enhance joint command and control during Super Garuda Shield 2026.
This year also marks a pivotal moment for homeland defense, as PMTEC directly supports the development of the Guam Defense System. Recognizing that homeland defense extends into the western Pacific, PMTEC is providing the synthetic environments needed to test and refine the integrated systems designed to protect this critical U.S. territory. Cyber and space domains are critical vulnerabilities in modern homeland defense. By supporting rigorous cyber defense training and integrating space effects into major multinational exercises, PMTEC ensures U.S. forces are prepared to counter these asymmetric threats. This work directly sets the stage for large-scale, homeland defense-focused events like Valiant Shield 26, as well as future experiments in Resolute Force Pacific and Project Convergence.
Innovation Through Industry A key PMTEC strategy is to rapidly incorporate emerging industry technologies. This includes artificial intelligence-enabled training aids, autonomous system simulators, synthetic threat generators, and secure distributed networks. We established quarterly Commercial Industry Days and expanded partnerships with Naval Air Systems Command Program Management Activity 205, responsible for developing, acquiring, sustaining, and modernizing all aviation training systems used across naval aviation. This industry-forward approach has allowed the program to solve complex, rapidly evolving warfighting readiness challenges faster than traditional acquisition pathways.
Next Phase — “PMTEC 2.0” and the Future of Indo-Pacific Readiness The capability is now entering its next phase, expanding persistent, distributed live, virtual, and constructive training across the theater. This expansion integrates joint all-domain operations, specifically focusing on space, cyberspace, and electromagnetic spectrum capabilities.
PMTEC 2.0 also prioritizes interoperability between Special Operations Forces and conventional forces. To maintain decision advantage, the next phase incorporates artificial intelligence-enabled data fusion and decision support. Ultimately, this effort aims to deliver persistent training through theater-wide synthetic ranges, enabling 365-day joint and coalition training.
A Stronger, More Interoperable and Connected Indo-Pacific From 2023 to 2026, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has delivered a transformational leap in how the joint force and its allies and partners prepare for conflict. This growth reflects a fundamental truth: No nation secures the Indo-Pacific alone. We secure it together.
With the next generation of training on the horizon, the future of joint and coalition readiness has never looked more connected, more capable, or more ready.
This article is authored by Dr. Andre Stridiron, the program manager for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command J7 Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability. Below, he provides an inside look at PMTEC’s achievements over the last four years and outlines the vision for the future as “PMTEC 2.0” shapes joint and coalition training.
A Tactical Assault or Team Awareness Kit — known collectively as TAK — served as the backbone of this shared awareness. TAK is a tactical situational awareness application integrated into a broader command-and-control architecture accessible across participating forces. U.S. Army I Corps brought 140 TAK devices to Thailand, distributing 100 to the Royal Thai Armed Forces to accelerate adoption and experimentation.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Christian Hanna, a Data Systems Administrator with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, helped lay the groundwork for this integration. Earlier this year, he trained RTAF personnel and built a dedicated server for their use. During Cobra Gold 26, he served as a command-and-control integrator, helping Thai forces employ TAK on their server and onboard clients — including commercial devices when needed.
Building capability at the tactical edge A TAK system enables units to share real-time positions, mission graphics, imagery, and text communications. According to Hanna, its true impact emerges when that information is fused into a common operating picture (COP) visible across command levels.
PMTEC’s Joint Interface Control Officer, Kerri Wood, ensured that tactical-edge data flowed seamlessly into the COP.
“Our goal was to make every data point count,” Wood said. “When a platoon leader drops a marker or a vessel updates its position, that information shouldn’t stay at the edge — it should inform commanders across domains. TAK let us turn individual actions into shared understanding.”
During amphibious operations at Hat Yao Beach, TAK devices were placed aboard vessels to track their movement in near real time.
“We gave them a TAK device to keep with them in the ship so we’re able to see exactly where the ship was over time,” Hanna said. “If the ship hits the shore and they’re starting to push toward the objective, everyone knows what’s coming next and can prepare.”
At the Cobra Gold 26 Combined Joint Force Maritime Component Command at Jessada Naval Base, observation points and key unit positions were plotted digitally, allowing commanders to monitor movements and synchronize actions across land, air, and maritime domains.
The 2nd Joint Communications Squadron, Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE) was the lynchpin to TAK’s integration into the command-and-control architecture by leveraging their Move Out - Jump Out Kits to deliver a full Link-16 live picture to the COP. According to U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Thomas C. Goodnoe, Troop Sergeant for the 2nd Joint Communications Squadron, JCSE’s efforts ensured that tactical-edge data from TAK systems and Link-16 networks was seamlessly transmitted to the Tactical Operating Center.
“We were able to track vessel movements in near real time and feed that data directly into the COP,” said Goodnoe. “This ensured that everyone, from the tactical edge to the TOC, had a shared understanding of the operational picture.”
Empowering Thai-led architecture One of the most significant outcomes of Cobra Gold 26 was demonstrating that TAK architecture can be built and sustained at lower echelons using affordable, open-source tools and cell phones.
“It shows that it can be handled at a lower echelon unit,” Hanna said. “We showed them the steps. They have the blueprint now to build their own server, their own clients, teach people how to join, and the procedures required to have a fully functioning TAK architecture.”
Because TAK is modular and customizable, Thai personnel were trained to integrate multiple data feeds, including and automatic identification system, the internationally mandated maritime tracking system that broadcasts vessel identity, position, course, and speed; automatic dependent surveillance–broadcast, a modern aviation surveillance technology that continuously broadcasts an aircraft’s position and identity, and additional sensor inputs through secure services.
This hands-on experience opens the door for Thailand to expand domestic expertise in Linux systems administration, network services, cybersecurity, and software customization — all critical to strengthening its defense industrial base.
Enhancing sovereign capability According to Hanna, one Royal Thai Navy senior officer was particularly interested in TAK’s translation capability, which allows near-real-time communication across Thai and English-speaking elements. But translation was only one advantage.
“The biggest capability was the ability to see where all of his units are,” Hanna said. “He can publish routes, see updates, and get alerts immediately.”
This level of shared awareness enhances operational independence. Thai forces can coordinate among their own joint elements without requiring U.S. personnel to manage the system.
“We don’t have to ever be included,” Hanna said. “They can build their own server. When they have joint missions, they’re able to work together, see each other, and expand it even further.”
Supporting disaster response Beyond military operations, TAK has humanitarian value — particularly relevant in a country frequently affected by natural disasters.
“In America, I’ve seen it used for rescue operations,” Hanna said. “They’ll have drones sending live streams. If they find a missing person under a tree, they can plot the exact 10-digit grid needed to recover that person.” Such capabilities can accelerate disaster response, improve interagency coordination, and strengthen national resilience.
Advancing strategic objectives Integrating TAK data into the COP through PMTEC demonstrated how tactical-edge information can be elevated to inform operational and strategic decision-making. The effort supports key national defense objectives, including faster, data-driven decision cycles; reduced risk through shared visibility; improved interoperability among coalition partners, and enhanced sovereign capability at the tactical level.
Equally important, the exercise provided Thailand with the knowledge and technical foundation to sustain and expand its own digital command-and-control architecture.
As Exercise Cobra Gold 2026 demonstrated, the future of coalition readiness lies not just in shared platforms and personnel, but in the seamless integration of data and a commitment to shared awareness. The successful employment of TAK provided more than a tactical advantage; it offered a blueprint for partner-led digital transformation. By empowering the Royal Thai Armed Forces to build, sustain, and operate their own TAK architecture, this initiative strengthened both coalition interoperability and Thailand's sovereign defense capabilities. This PMTEC case study underscores a core principle: true strategic advantage is achieved when we empower our allies and partners, fostering a network of resilient, self-reliant, and fully interoperable forces prepared to meet any challenge.