Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers Partner in the Pacific

By PHILIP REGINADecember 15, 2020

Captain Luis Muruato, civil affairs team officer-in-charge and Sgt. Ratu Kalivati Volavola, cultural liaison non-commissioned officer, part of Task Force Oceania, a multi-component unit subordinate to the 9th Mission Support Command follow strict COVID-19 mitigation measures at Fort Shafter Flats, Hawaii, Oct 30. The two-man teams that will deploy to Pacific island countries throughout Oceania were hand-picked for their talents. The Soldiers chosen are either Army Reserve or National Guard and have a skillset that makes them specifically suited to work with the civilian population within the region. They were either born, raised, speak the native language, or have expertise in a specific civilian occupation that is beneficial to the countries they will be deployed to.
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Captain Luis Muruato, civil affairs team officer-in-charge and Sgt. Ratu Kalivati Volavola, cultural liaison non-commissioned officer, part of Task Force Oceania, a multi-component unit subordinate to the 9th Mission Support Command follow strict COVID-19 mitigation measures at Fort Shafter Flats, Hawaii, Oct 30. The two-man teams that will deploy to Pacific island countries throughout Oceania were hand-picked for their talents. The Soldiers chosen are either Army Reserve or National Guard and have a skillset that makes them specifically suited to work with the civilian population within the region. They were either born, raised, speak the native language, or have expertise in a specific civilian occupation that is beneficial to the countries they will be deployed to. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Solomon Navarro) VIEW ORIGINAL
Task Force Oceania's Deputy Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Igor Dubinsky conducts a safety brief with members of his staff at TF-O headquarters Oct 30. COVID-19 remains a global challenge that no nation can face alone – our strong network of alliances and partnerships is critical to combating this virus. The U.S. Army and Task Force Oceania stands ready and prepared to operate responsibly in Oceania.
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Task Force Oceania's Deputy Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Igor Dubinsky conducts a safety brief with members of his staff at TF-O headquarters Oct 30. COVID-19 remains a global challenge that no nation can face alone – our strong network of alliances and partnerships is critical to combating this virus. The U.S. Army and Task Force Oceania stands ready and prepared to operate responsibly in Oceania. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Solomon Navarro) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sergeant Alavoni Tukunga, cultural liaison non-commissioned officer and Maj. Patrick Arizmendi, civil affairs team officer-in-charge, part of Task Force Oceania, a multi-component unit subordinate to the 9th Mission Support Command, follow strict COVID-19 mitigation measures at Fort Shafter Flats, Hawaii, Oct 30. The two-man teams that will deploy to Pacific island countries throughout Oceania were hand-picked for their talents. The Soldiers chosen are either Army Reserve or National Guard and have a skillset that makes them specifically suited to work with the civilian population within the region. They were either born, raised, speak the native language, or have expertise in a specific civilian occupation that is beneficial to the countries they will be deployed to.
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sergeant Alavoni Tukunga, cultural liaison non-commissioned officer and Maj. Patrick Arizmendi, civil affairs team officer-in-charge, part of Task Force Oceania, a multi-component unit subordinate to the 9th Mission Support Command, follow strict COVID-19 mitigation measures at Fort Shafter Flats, Hawaii, Oct 30. The two-man teams that will deploy to Pacific island countries throughout Oceania were hand-picked for their talents. The Soldiers chosen are either Army Reserve or National Guard and have a skillset that makes them specifically suited to work with the civilian population within the region. They were either born, raised, speak the native language, or have expertise in a specific civilian occupation that is beneficial to the countries they will be deployed to. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Solomon Navarro) VIEW ORIGINAL

SUVA, FIJI – The U.S. Army 322 Civil Affairs Brigade, part of the 9th Mission Support Command (MSC), is currently partnering with three Soldiers from the Army National Guard to conduct civil-military operations in the Oceania region of the Pacific.

The three Guardsmen are Maj. Patrick Arizmendi and Cpt. Luis Muruato of the Nevada National Guard and Cpt. Chris Meza of the Wisconsin National Guard. These states currently have existing partnerships with Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program (SPP).

In 2019, U.S. Army Pacific directed the 9th MSC to perform the Task Force Oceania (TF-O) mission. Under command of the 9th MSC, headquartered at Fort Shafter Flats, Hawaii, 322 Civil Affairs Brigade will support U.S. Embassies in the region through security cooperation efforts to enhance partner nation capacity and build relationships.

The Army National Guard State Partnership Program consists of direct partnerships between each state’s National Guard and different countries around the world.

U.S. Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga and Tuvalu, Joseph Cella said, “We have a very high regard for the State Partnership Program, it is exemplary, and it has born great fruit during a very important time of the history of the Indo-Pacific. This program is integral to maintaining the 75 years of peace the Indo-Pacific has been blessed with, which we have commemorated and celebrated throughout this year. It allows us to work alongside our partners in the Indo-Pacific for our joint development and deployment readiness through expert exchanges and training. As a fortifier of bridges, I am pleased to herald and promote the importance and efficacy of this program that reinforces our enduring partnerships and advances security in the Indo-Pacific.”

“The SPP has successfully built relationships over 25 years and now includes 78 partnerships with 84 nations around the globe. SPP links a unique component of the Department of Defense - the states’ National Guard forces - with the armed forces or equivalent of a partner country in a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship,” said Arizmendi.

“Working directly with the Army Reserve is a great opportunity. This is my first time working directly with this component, and I am impressed by the professionalism of the Soldiers of the 322. This is a unique mission in a unique part of the world, and I believe the parallels between SPP and Task Force Oceania makes this a mutually beneficial partnership for both components,” said Muruato.

“The Reserves, by partnering with the National Guard, bring a multitude of force multipliers ranging from non-commissioned officer schools to tactical training opportunities. A continued partnership between the organizations allows both parties to present our partner nations with these opportunities and can serve as a bridge between two components that would otherwise rarely interact with each other,” said Meza.