Latest news with #Driscoll
San Francisco Chronicle
7 days ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Army secretary wants to move more quickly on an agreement for Hawaii live-fire training lands
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (AP) — The U.S. Army's top civilian leader said Tuesday that he wants to move more quickly on an agreement that will allow the military to continue using the only large-scale live-fire training range for ground forces in Hawaii. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said he discussed the issue during a meeting with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green on Monday. The Army leases a key part of Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island from the state, and its contract to do so expires in 2029. It wants to be able to continue using the land so it can quickly send troops from Hawaii to Asia and the Pacific, something that is growing in importance as China becomes more assertive particularly regarding Taiwan, the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its own territory. A May public hearing on whether to extend the lease generated hours of testimony against allowing the Army to stay. Many Native Hawaiians and environmental activists upset with the U.S. military's history of damaging Hawaiian lands with target practice and fuel leaks said they wanted the Army to return the land to the state. Driscoll told reporters the Army needs the Pohakuloa land, which sits on a rocky plateau about 6,200 feet (1,890 meters) above sea level between the Big Island's tallest volcanoes, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. 'The world is changing. We all know this. The threat in Indo-Pacom is more real than ever before,' Driscoll told reporters, referring to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which overseas military operations in Asia and the Pacific. He said he wanted a more aggressive timeline 'to bake out these negotiations in the coming months, rather than waiting until 2027, 2028 and 2029.' 'This land matters to the United States Army. We have got to be able to train here.' Driscoll said. Driscoll said he asked Green's office for a list within the next few weeks of things the Army can do to help the community. 'What we are hoping to do is figure out ways where we, the Army, can continue to contribute to a community that has given so much to our Army and so much to our nation, while at the same time acknowledging the very real world threat that we are facing in the Indo-Pacific,' Driscoll said. The Army says other live-fire training areas in Hawaii are too small to accommodate battalions and brigades. And commanders say they wouldn't be able to deter potential adversaries in the Indo-Pacific if they have to spend extra time transporting troops to the region from U.S. mainland training ranges. Green said he spent significant time on Monday speaking with Driscoll and his team. "We will be exploring possibilities on the military leases together in the coming days and weeks, and he now better understands how important it is to us to work together for the good of Hawaii's people and our land, while we all work together protect our country,' Green said in a statement. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, a Democrat whose district includes rural Oahu and the Big Island, has said she wants the military to help increase Hawaii's housing supply and bolster Hawaii's water and sewer infrastructure. Healani Sonoda-Pale, a community organizer with the Native Hawaiian sovereignty group Ka Lahui Hawaii, said the state needs to look at how the Army is managing these lands. She said it would be irresponsible for negotiations to bypass that process. 'There shouldn't be any backdoor discussions regarding these leases,' she said. Driscoll visited Hawaii during a Pacific trip that will also include stops in Australia and the Philippines. He spoke to journalists in front of two HIMARS rocket launchers, which are designed to deliver precision strikes to long-range targets. Hawaii-based soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division are due to receive 16 of the launchers, which the U.S. also supplied to Ukraine to help it defend against Russia's invasion.
7 days ago
- Politics
Army secretary wants to move more quickly on an agreement for Hawaii live-fire training lands
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- The U.S. Army's top civilian leader said Tuesday that he wants to move more quickly on an agreement that will allow the military to continue using the only large-scale live-fire training range for ground forces in Hawaii. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said he discussed the issue during a meeting with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green on Monday. The Army leases a key part of Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island from the state and its contract to do so expires in 2029. It wants to be able to continue using the land so it can quickly send troops from Hawaii to Asia and the Pacific, something that is growing in importance as China becomes more assertive particularly regarding Taiwan. A May public hearing on whether to extend the lease generated hours of testimony against allowing the Army to stay. Many Native Hawaiians and environmental activists upset with the U.S. military's history of damaging Hawaiian lands with target practice and fuel leaks said they wanted the Army to return the land to the state. Driscoll told reporters the Army needs the Pohakuloa land, which sits on a rocky plateau about 6,200 feet (1,890 meters) above sea level between the Big Island's tallest volcanoes, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. 'The world is changing. We all know this. The threat in Indo-Pacom is more real than ever before,' Driscoll told reporters, referring to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which overseas military operations in Asia and the Pacific. He said he wanted a more aggressive timeline 'to bake out these negotiations in the coming months, rather than waiting until 2027, 2028 and 2029.' 'This land matters the United States Army. We have got to be able to train here.' Driscoll said. Driscoll said he asked Green's office to give the Army a list within the next few weeks of things the Army can do to help the community. 'What we are hoping to do is figure out ways where we, the Army, can continue to contribute to a community that has given so much to our Army and so much to our nation, while at the same time acknowledging the very real world threat that we are facing in the Indo-Pacific,' Driscoll said. The Army says other live-fire training areas in Hawaii are too small to accommodate battalions and brigades. And commanders say they wouldn't be able to deter potential adversaries in the Indo-Pacific if they have to spend extra time transporting troops to the region from U.S. mainland training ranges. Green said he spent significant time on Monday speaking with Driscoll and his team. "We will be exploring possibilities on the military leases together in the coming days and weeks, and he now better understands how important it is to us to work together for the good of Hawaii's people and our land, while we all work together protect our country,' Green said in a statement. The governor said he updated Hawaii's congressional delegation on the meetings. Green said he would get the community's input 'as we move forward.' U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, a Democrat whose district includes rural Oahu and the Big Island, has said she wants the military to help increase Hawaii's housing supply and bolster Hawaii's water and sewer infrastructure. Driscoll visited Hawaii during a Pacific trip that will also include stops in Australia and the Philippines. He spoke to journalists in front of two HIMARS rocket launchers, which are designed to deliver precision strikes to long-range targets. Hawaii-based soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division are due to receive 16 of the launchers, which the U.S. also supplied to Ukraine to help it defend against Russia's invasion.
Winnipeg Free Press
7 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Army secretary wants to move more quickly on an agreement for Hawaii live-fire training lands
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (AP) — The U.S. Army's top civilian leader said Tuesday that he wants to move more quickly on an agreement that will allow the military to continue using the only large-scale live-fire training range for ground forces in Hawaii. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said he discussed the issue during a meeting with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green on Monday. The Army leases a key part of Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island from the state and its contract to do so expires in 2029. It wants to be able to continue using the land so it can quickly send troops from Hawaii to Asia and the Pacific, something that is growing in importance as China becomes more assertive particularly regarding Taiwan. A May public hearing on whether to extend the lease generated hours of testimony against allowing the Army to stay. Many Native Hawaiians and environmental activists upset with the U.S. military's history of damaging Hawaiian lands with target practice and fuel leaks said they wanted the Army to return the land to the state. Driscoll told reporters the Army needs the Pohakuloa land, which sits on a rocky plateau about 6,200 feet (1,890 meters) above sea level between the Big Island's tallest volcanoes, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. 'The world is changing. We all know this. The threat in Indo-Pacom is more real than ever before,' Driscoll told reporters, referring to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which overseas military operations in Asia and the Pacific. He said he wanted a more aggressive timeline 'to bake out these negotiations in the coming months, rather than waiting until 2027, 2028 and 2029.' 'This land matters the United States Army. We have got to be able to train here.' Driscoll said. Driscoll said he asked Green's office to give the Army a list within the next few weeks of things the Army can do to help the community. 'What we are hoping to do is figure out ways where we, the Army, can continue to contribute to a community that has given so much to our Army and so much to our nation, while at the same time acknowledging the very real world threat that we are facing in the Indo-Pacific,' Driscoll said. The Army says other live-fire training areas in Hawaii are too small to accommodate battalions and brigades. And commanders say they wouldn't be able to deter potential adversaries in the Indo-Pacific if they have to spend extra time transporting troops to the region from U.S. mainland training ranges. Green said he spent significant time on Monday speaking with Driscoll and his team. 'We will be exploring possibilities on the military leases together in the coming days and weeks, and he now better understands how important it is to us to work together for the good of Hawaii's people and our land, while we all work together protect our country,' Green said in a statement. The governor said he updated Hawaii's congressional delegation on the meetings. Green said he would get the community's input 'as we move forward.' U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, a Democrat whose district includes rural Oahu and the Big Island, has said she wants the military to help increase Hawaii's housing supply and bolster Hawaii's water and sewer infrastructure. Driscoll visited Hawaii during a Pacific trip that will also include stops in Australia and the Philippines. He spoke to journalists in front of two HIMARS rocket launchers, which are designed to deliver precision strikes to long-range targets. Hawaii-based soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division are due to receive 16 of the launchers, which the U.S. also supplied to Ukraine to help it defend against Russia's invasion.
Hamilton Spectator
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Army secretary wants to move more quickly on an agreement for Hawaii live-fire training lands
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (AP) — The U.S. Army's top civilian leader said Tuesday that he wants to move more quickly on an agreement that will allow the military to continue using the only large-scale live-fire training range for ground forces in Hawaii. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said he discussed the issue during a meeting with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green on Monday. The Army leases a key part of Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island from the state and its contract to do so expires in 2029. It wants to be able to continue using the land so it can quickly send troops from Hawaii to Asia and the Pacific, something that is growing in importance as China becomes more assertive particularly regarding Taiwan. A May public hearing on whether to extend the lease generated hours of testimony against allowing the Army to stay. Many Native Hawaiians and environmental activists upset with the U.S. military's history of damaging Hawaiian lands with target practice and fuel leaks said they wanted the Army to return the land to the state. Driscoll told reporters the Army needs the Pohakuloa land, which sits on a rocky plateau about 6,200 feet (1,890 meters) above sea level between the Big Island's tallest volcanoes, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. 'The world is changing. We all know this. The threat in Indo-Pacom is more real than ever before,' Driscoll told reporters, referring to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which overseas military operations in Asia and the Pacific. He said he wanted a more aggressive timeline 'to bake out these negotiations in the coming months, rather than waiting until 2027, 2028 and 2029.' 'This land matters the United States Army. We have got to be able to train here.' Driscoll said. Driscoll said he asked Green's office to give the Army a list within the next few weeks of things the Army can do to help the community. 'What we are hoping to do is figure out ways where we, the Army, can continue to contribute to a community that has given so much to our Army and so much to our nation, while at the same time acknowledging the very real world threat that we are facing in the Indo-Pacific,' Driscoll said. The Army says other live-fire training areas in Hawaii are too small to accommodate battalions and brigades. And commanders say they wouldn't be able to deter potential adversaries in the Indo-Pacific if they have to spend extra time transporting troops to the region from U.S. mainland training ranges. Green said he spent significant time on Monday speaking with Driscoll and his team. 'We will be exploring possibilities on the military leases together in the coming days and weeks, and he now better understands how important it is to us to work together for the good of Hawaii's people and our land, while we all work together protect our country,' Green said in a statement. The governor said he updated Hawaii's congressional delegation on the meetings. Green said he would get the community's input 'as we move forward.' U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, a Democrat whose district includes rural Oahu and the Big Island, has said she wants the military to help increase Hawaii's housing supply and bolster Hawaii's water and sewer infrastructure. Driscoll visited Hawaii during a Pacific trip that will also include stops in Australia and the Philippines. He spoke to journalists in front of two HIMARS rocket launchers, which are designed to deliver precision strikes to long-range targets. Hawaii-based soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division are due to receive 16 of the launchers, which the U.S. also supplied to Ukraine to help it defend against Russia's invasion. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Business Insider
14-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Air defenders like the Patriot soldiers who shot down Iranian missiles are becoming a 'new tip of the spear,' Army secretary says
Air defenders are becoming some of the US Army's most in-demand soldiers, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll said. After Patriot crews intercepted Iran's missile attack on a US base in Qatar last month, Driscoll said that air defenders are in some ways becoming the Army's "new tip of the spear," a phrase that is typically used for troops like special operators. In a recent interview with Business Insider, Driscoll and Gen. James Rainey, the commanding general overseeing Army Futures Command, said Army leadership has seen a strong demand signal in recent conflicts. Integrated air and missile defenses are " one of the most demanded and deployed capabilities we as an Army have," the Army secretary said. "We have been stressing those units for a long time." He added that the demand signal will only increase, noting that Army leadership "likes to refer to them as, in some ways, the new tip of the spear." The phrase often refers to elite, forward-deployed forces, like special operations forces like the Green Berets, Delta Force, or Rangers, because these forces are often deployed ahead of conventional forces and lead operations or shape the battlefield for strategic impact. It is not typically applied to defensive assets. Air and missile defenses are critical for blunting strikes and threatening enemy airpower. Recruiting more soldiers for air defense battalions in 2026 and fielding additional Patriots and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems are priorities for the Army. A need for more Patriots The Army has 15 Patriot battalions, Gen. James Mingus, vice chief of staff of the Army, said at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event last week, although one is undergoing a major revamp. Three are deployed to the Indo-Pacific and one is in Europe. One Patriot in US Central Command has been there, Mingus said, for close to 500 days. The rest are service retained, or unassigned. Mingus described the Patriot battalions as "a very stressed force element," and said the Army was aware it had to grow its number of systems, with plans to increase to 18 battalions, not including one going to Guam as part of the Guam Defense System. The Army is also stockpiling munitions critical to this air defense mission. In its 2026 budget proposal, the service requested to quadruple its Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile. The Army has previously spoken about the need to increase the magazine depth for its munitions given the potential for a protracted conflict to chew through critical weapon stockpiles. Recent reporting suggested US Patriot interceptor stockpiles could be critically low. The Army's big plans to dramatically increase its stockpile include a request for $1.3 billion in extra funding. A high-risk situation could demand numerous interceptors. Recently, Patriot missile batteries were used to shield the US military's Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar from Iranian ballistic missiles launched in retaliation for US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine described the intercepts as "a lot of metal flying around." The top general said it was believed to be "the largest single Patriot engagement in US military history." The Pentagon acknowledged last week, as a satellite image showing damage at the base surfaced, that one enemy missile got through, causing "minimal damage to equipment and structures on the base." The rest of over a dozen missiles fired are said to have been intercepted. Driscoll told BI that the soldiers involved in those air defense operations demonstrated "incredible bravery and an ability to stand back and do their job under immense stress." M1M-104 Patriots are sophisticated surface-to-air missile defense platforms that long had mixed reviews but have been invaluable for Ukraine, which received the systems from the US and has been employing them against Russian missile and drone strikes. Ukraine has requested more of these systems and the interceptors, calling them critical for keeping civilian centers and cities safe. Weapons to Ukraine There's been recent confusion about whether the US intends to provide more Patriot interceptors to Ukraine. Earlier this month, the White House said a decision had been made to pause ammunition delivery to Ukraine amid concerns about American stockpiles decreasing, with reports identifying Patriots as one of the capabilities being halted, specifically much-needed interceptor missiles. The shipment had been promised by the Biden administration. Last week, President Donald Trump reversed the pause, telling reporters he didn't know who approved it. The Pentagon then said it would send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine. In an interview, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the initial decision to pause the shipment "unfortunately was mischaracterized. It was a pause pending review on a handful of specific type munitions." Trump said over the weekend that the US would be sending Patriots to Ukraine but that " the European Union is paying for it." "We're not paying anything for it, but we will send it," he said. The president didn't specify how many systems or interceptors would be included or when Ukraine might receive the weapons. Speaking at the White House Monday alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the president said that a deal was in the works to move Patriots out of NATO countries into Ukraine. The US would then backfill the lost capability. "A couple of the countries that have Patriots are going to swap over, and we'll replace the Patriots," Trump said. Patriots are made by US defense firms RTX and Lockheed Martin, both of which are working to expand essential production.
