POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, Hawaii - Representatives from various European, Asian, North and South American countries, observed Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) operations and its ranges, Nov. 20.
During the Headquarters, Department of the Army 2008 Fall Military Attache Orientation Trip, 46 military attaches learned about the U.S. military in Hawaii and got a glimpse of Hawaiian culture and history.
"On this particular trip, we focused on U.S. Army-Pacific and the opportunity to visit the USS Arizona Memorial, Polynesian Cultural Center, and a good mix of experiencing both military installations, including PTA, and Hawaiian culture," said Maj. Gen. Gregory Schumacher, assistant deputy chief of staff for intelligence, and lead escort of the trip.
Along with their escorts, military attaches were taken to PTA's Puu Lehue where they viewed a joint Army-Marine training exercise. The scenario featured a raid on a suspected enemy target at the nearby Prisoner of War Camp range.
"The military attaches (from various countries) are visiting PTA because they are a part of the Army's outreach program wherein, every three years, we take attaches to different Army installations throughout the country and showcase the active and reserve component, the National Guard, and the local cultures," said Schumacher.
The military attaches were later taken to PTA's Bradshaw Army Airfield, where they met and talked to Soldiers and crew of the Kiowa OH-58D and AH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, stationed at Wheeler Army Airfield, and the Marines, stationed at Kaneohe Bay, who were part of the joint exercise. The visitors also saw military equipment, weapons and tactical gear.
"It is great to meet Soldiers and Marines, and to see their equipment up close," said Brig. Gen. Raynard Javier, Philippines military attache.
After the PTA garrison commander, Lt. Col. Warline Richardson, gave a command brief, attaches received environmental briefs by both the PTA archaeologist and the natural resources program manager at the Natural Resources and Cultural Resources Interpretive Garden and Propagation Facility.
The military attaches' trip to PTA concluded with a short visit to the Mauna Kea National Observatory Visitors Center.
"It was a great opportunity for us to share with them the U.S. Army and our capabilities, but most importantly, to meet our Soldiers and civilians who make the Army what it is today," said Schumacher. "The highlight of our PTA visit was the opportunity for the military attaches to interact with both Soldiers and Marines one-on-one and get to see what they are all about."
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