Each year US Pacific Command participates in more than 1,500 exercises and other engagement activities with foreign military forces. Maintaining an overseas military presence is a cornerstone of U.S. National Security Strategy and a key element of U.S. military policy of "shape, respond and prepare." The U.S. military role, reflected in the USCINCPAC Theater Engagement Plan, is far broader and more actively constructive in host countries than simply waiting for military action. Significant joint, combined and other smaller military exercises take place annually with Japan, Korea, Australia, Thailand and the Philippines. Historically, efforts to promote multilateral cooperation on security issues in the Asia-Pacific region were based upon regional linkages, such as SEATO, FPDA, etc. In contrast, Enhanced Regional Cooperation is designed to promote capable groupings of willing nations based along either regional or functional affiliations, which are capable of responding to security challenges.
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