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U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Belote, the Pacific IAMD Center Director, participates in the Korean Tabletop Academy on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, July 14, 2026. Participants worked together to enhance interoperability through collaborative planning, synchronized decision-making, and the exchange of operational expertise in support of the U.S.-ROK alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dustin Stark.) (Photo cropped and edited to emphasize subjects.)
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Service members assigned to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and the Pacific Air Forces pose for a group photo in the 94th AAMDC headquarters as part of the Korean Tabletop Academy on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, July 13, 2026. Participants worked together to enhance interoperability through collaborative planning, synchronized decision-making, and the exchange of operational expertise in support of the U.S.-ROK alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dustin Stark.) (Photo cropped and edited to emphasize subjects.)
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Service members assigned to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and the Pacific Air Forces receive a tour of the USS William P. Lawrence the Korean Tabletop Academy on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, July 21, 2026. Participants worked together to enhance interoperability through collaborative planning, synchronized decision-making, and the exchange of operational expertise in support of the U.S.-ROK alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dustin Stark.) (Photo cropped and edited to emphasize subjects.)
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Service members assigned to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and the Pacific Air Forces participate in the Korean Tabletop Academy at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, July 17, 2026. Participants worked together to enhance interoperability through collaborative planning, synchronized decision-making, and the exchange of operational expertise in support of the U.S.-ROK alliance. (Courtesy Photo) (Photo cropped and edited to emphasize subjects.)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Dustin Stark)View original5 / 9
Service members assigned to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and the Pacific Air Forces receive guidance in the Korean Tabletop Academy on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, July 13, 2026. Participants worked together to enhance interoperability through collaborative planning, synchronized decision-making, and the exchange of operational expertise in support of the U.S.-ROK alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dustin Stark.) (Photo cropped and edited to emphasize subjects.)
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Service members assigned to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and the Pacific Air Forces participate in the Korean Tabletop Academy on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, July 14, 2026. Participants worked together to enhance interoperability through collaborative planning, synchronized decision-making, and the exchange of operational expertise in support of the U.S.-ROK alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dustin Stark.) (Photo cropped and edited to emphasize subjects.)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Dustin Stark)View original7 / 9
Service members assigned to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and the Pacific Air Forces receive a Pearl Harbor remembrance tour as part of the Korean Tabletop Academy on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, July 21, 2026. Participants worked together to enhance interoperability through collaborative planning, synchronized decision-making, and the exchange of operational expertise in support of the U.S.-ROK alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dustin Stark.) (Photo cropped and edited to emphasize subjects.)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Dustin Stark)View original8 / 9
Service members assigned to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and the Pacific Air Forces receive a tour of the USS William P. Lawrence as part of the Korean Tabletop Academy on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, July 21, 2026. Participants worked together to enhance interoperability through collaborative planning, synchronized decision-making, and the exchange of operational expertise in support of the U.S.-ROK alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dustin Stark.) (Photo cropped and edited to emphasize subjects.)
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Service members assigned to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and the Pacific Air Forces conduct international simulations (I-SIM) as part of the Korean Tabletop Academy on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, July 22, 2026. Participants worked together to enhance interoperability through collaborative planning, synchronized decision-making, and the exchange of operational expertise in support of the U.S.-ROK alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dustin Stark.) (Photo cropped and edited to emphasize subjects.)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Dustin Stark)View original
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii –The United States and the Republic of Korea will conclude the seventh annual Korean Tabletop Academy 2026, July 24, 2026, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii. The focus of the event is to strengthen the bilateral partnership for integrated air and missile defense in the Pacific.
Hosted by the Pacific IAMD Center, the two-week event brought together key leaders and operators to enhance combined and joint defense capabilities. The academy commenced with a senior leader session featuring opening remarks from U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Belote, director of the PIC, and ROK Air Force Col. Hyung Joo Nam, chief of intelligence and operations for the ROK Air Force Air and Missile Defense Command.
“Our steadfast alliance with the Republic of Korea is the cornerstone of our regional security architecture,” said Belote. “This academy is a testament to our shared commitment to not just maintaining readiness but actively advancing our integrated defense capabilities to meet any challenge.”
Nam also emphasized the strategic value of joint training.
“Through this collaborative education and realistic planning, we are sending a clear and unified message of deterrence,” Nam said. “The trust and interoperability we build here are vital to defending our nations and ensuring stability.”
During the KTTA, representation from key United States and ROK organizations underscored a powerful commitment to joint, multi-domain IAMD. Key participants from the U.S. forces included personnel from the U.S. Pacific Air Forces, U.S. Army Pacific, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, U.S. Space Forces Pacific, and U.S. Pacific Fleet. Highly specialized training and education support was provided by the Joint Ballistic Missile Defense Training and Education Center. The primary audience for bilateral partnership were intended for the co-host, ROKAF AMDC, with an observer from the ROK Marine Liaison, assigned to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, ensuring synchronization across the air, land, space, and amphibious operational domains.
The first week of the academy featured in-depth academic sessions in a hybrid format, connecting participants at JBPH-H with ROKAF headquarters and brigades in the Republic of Korea. This phase included a regional IAMD posture brief from the 94th AAMDC, a mission brief from U.S. Space Forces Pacific, and a capabilities presentation and hands-on airspace management command and control demonstration at the 298th Air Defense Group. The 298th ADG provides continuous air surveillance for the Hawaiian Islands.
The second week focused on practical application, leveraging the International Simulations program to conduct dynamic, scenario-based exercises. Participants engaged in collaborative defense design planning and evaluated combined IAMD responses to a range of potential threats and cyber support from the Tailored Solutions' Mission Threat Validation team.
Throughout the event, attendees toured the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), for firsthand exposure to maritime IAMD systems. They also participated in a USPACFLT sponsored Remembrance Tour, which included a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial to pay respects to fallen service members.
More than just an IAMD academic event, KTTA delivers tangible outcomes: a stronger alliance, enhanced interoperability, and a more credible, combined defensive posture. These results are a direct investment in the security and stability of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
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