KUALA LUMPUR –
U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) General Charles A. Flynn visited Kuala Lumpur from Mar 27-28, 2022 to reinforce the strong ties between the United States and Malaysia. During his visit, he participated in the 17th biennial Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition, opening the U.S. Pavilion, and met with senior members of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and Ministry of Defense (MINDEF).
USARPAC’s relationship with the Malaysian Army and the MAF is built upon a strong foundation. During his conversation with Minister of Defense Hishammuddin bin Hussein, General Flynn underscored the shared priorities of prosperity, security, peace, and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“I’ve just spent two weeks in Southeast Asia – culminating with my time here in Kuala Lumpur. This region is impressive, and our relationships with long-standing Allies and Partners are critical. USARPAC remains committed to partnering with Malaysia, to being an active partner in the region, and to strengthening the rules-based order that underpins a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Exercises like Keris Strike and Bersama Warrior are central to all of this because they enhance our armies’ readiness, and armies are the glue that binds the region’s security architecture together,” General Flynn stated. To this end, during fiscal years 2018-2022, the United States has approved approximately $230 million – nearly one billion ringgit –in security assistance for Malaysia, including provision of equipment, education, training, and other exchange programs.
General Flynn also met with Chief of Defense General Tan Sri Affendi Buang and Chief of Army, General Tan Sri Zamrose Bin Mohd Zain. He shared his congratulations on the success of DSA, and his desire to continue to strengthen long-standing exercises with Malaysia such as Keris Strike and Bersama Warrior.
General Charles A. Flynn assumed command of the United States Army’s largest Service Component Command, U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), on June 4, 2021. The U.S. Army Pacific is headquartered at Fort Shafter, Hawaii with portions of the command forward- deployed and based throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Keris Strike is an annual, bilateral exercise sponsored by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Army Pacific and hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces. Last year’s exercise marked the 25th iteration of the exercise and contributes to enhancing U.S. and Malaysian defense readiness and tactical interoperability while strengthening bilateral relationships.
Bersama Warrior is an annual, bilateral joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Army Pacific and hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces. Last year marked the seventh iteration of the exercise, which contributes to enhancing U.S. and Malaysian defense readiness, improving interoperability, and strengthening the State Partner Program relationship between the Malaysian Armed Forces and Washington National Guard.