Pacific
The purpose of the Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE)-Pacific is to provide the US Army training community with a detailed description of the conditions of five composite operational environments (OEs) in the Pacific region. It presents trainers with a tool to assist in the construction of scenarios for specific training events but does not provide a complete scenario. DATE-Pacific offers discussions of OE conditions through the political, military, economic, social, information, infrastructure, physical environment, and time (PMESII-PT) variables. This DATE applies to all US Army units (Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve) and partner nations that participate in DATE-compliant Army or joint training exercises.[1]
The operational environment of DATE:Pacific is a complex and multi-layered set of conditions. From the economic and military hegemony of Olvana, to the persistent tensions between North and South Torbia, to the developing nations of Belesia and Gabal, many different potential conflicts may arise. The region has a long history of instability and conflict; ethnic and religious factionalism; and general political, military, and civilian unrest. In addition to these internal regional divisions, outside actors have increasing strategic interests in the region. DATE-Pacific thus represents a flashpoint where highly localized conflict can spill over into widespread unrest or general war.
(See also Using the DATE and TC 7-101 Exercise Design).
Discussion of the OEs within the DATE-Pacific Operational Environment
Belesia
Main article: Belesia
The Federated States of Belesia is a relatively new democracy in the region. The turbulence of its independence from colonial rule continues to create stability challenges throughout its many member-islands. Political turmoil, popular unrest, and widespread terrorism combine to create a volatile environment for this young federation. One of the few stabilizing factors is the development of economic opportunities and trade. Desipte progress in this area, Belesia is hampered by infrastructure and business process that have yet to develop to meet its needs.
Gabal
The Federated States of Gabal is a relatively new democracy, having emerged from joint rule by two Western European countries in 1977. Gabal faces numerous political and economic challenges that have undercut the effectiveness and legitimacy of its government since independence was declared. Tribal politics run deep within the government and the country is deeply federalized among tribal lines. Issues associated with climate change, however, have largely united the country in recent years, as Gabal, along with many other small island nations, seek to influence global climate change politics.
The Republic of Gabal’s military serves more as a symbol of the country’s independence from its neighbors than it serves as any true fighting force. Due to its small size, the Gabal military possesses little offensive capabilities and is no threat to any of its neighboring countries. The Gabal military also lacks the ability to defend itself against any major external threat. The military’s main purpose is the prevention of illegal fishing activities in the country’s territorial waters.
North Torbia
The Democratic People's Republic of Torbia (DPRT), also called North Torbia, is one of the most militarized countries in the world, with over one million active duty military personnel and over six million reservists. The DPRT’s military spending is around 20% of its GDP, and about one-quarter of all adults serve in some military capacity. Ground, air, and naval forces all fall under the umbrella of the Torbian People’s Army (TPA). The TPA controls the ground, air, and naval forces in the DPRT.
Olvana
Since the People’s Republic of Olvana (Olvana) is the largest country in terms of size and population in the region and with an intent to serve as the regional hegemon, Olvana maintains the largest military in the Pacific region. The Olvana People’s Army (OPA) is composed of not only a land force, but the Olvana People’s Navy (OPN) and Olvana People’s Air Force (OPAF) are subordinate to the OPA. Olvana attempts to influence the region by the deployment of advisors to various countries and the sale of military weapons to their allies. Today, the Olvanese Communist Party (OCP) seeks to change some traditions while preserving others, such as the family structure and culture of obedience to the state as being integral to society.
South Torbia
The Republic of Torbia (RoT or South Torbia) military is primarily a defensive force aimed at stopping the Democratic People’s Republic of South Torbia (DPRT or North Torbia) from taking over the entire country. Many years ago due to the fear of the DPRT, the RoT adopted a universal military service of short duration for all its male citizens. After leaving active duty, the military veterans serve in an active or inactive reserve role as a deterrence against external threats to the country’s independence.
Note: DATE variables and other information for this OE continue to be under development.
Strategic Positioning
Relations among the nations in this region are a tense game of power. As Donovia's strategic influence has shifted to Europe and the Caucasus regions, Olvana has aggressively sought to press its will on the region. Similarly, nations such as South Torbia, Gabal, and Belesia view the shift as an opportunity to grow their influence and develop economic ties both in the region and with external partners. Control of critical mineral resources, manufacturing, and unfettered transport of goods in the region's shipping lanes is a key point of tension for all. Within the states of the region, groups that had previously seen no opportunity for influence view the instability as a path to develop their voices. Internal conflict is a persistent and potentially destabilizing factor as governments position for legitimacy and consolidate their power. Whether expanding influence or building new power bases, the region will continue to be a driver of worldwide tensions and increasingly volatile.
Regional Views of the US
The U.S. has many competing interests in the region, ranging from economic stability and trade to geopolitical influence. The U.S. sees Olvana as both partner and rival. Obviously the two economies are intertwined and depend on each other. Olvana's main strategic challenge is that the U.S. controls the seas. Geography means Olvana’s imports and exports must traverse coastal bottlenecks in and among the other nations of the region that the U.S or any one of them could easily close. Maintaining trade and international shipping through the region, as well as developing new relationships the the emerging economies is vital to ensuring economic growth and continued participation in the region's development.
The United States’ support of anti-terrorism efforts in the region is expected to tamp-down past criticisms of the South Torbian and Belesian governments and lead to renewed cooperation between the longtime allies despite a wary Olvana. The ongoing political positioning and economic battles waged between the U.S. and the constantly shifting, multi-faceted regional interrelationships will be both a source of opportunity and conflict.
Regional PMESII-PT Overview
Political
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Economic
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Information
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Infrastructure
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Physical Environment
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Time
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Hybrid Irregular Armed Groups
| Group Name | Type | Country | Description |
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| Yellow Sashes | Insurgency | Olvana | The Yellow Sashes are primarily Hindu who detest the Olvana communist government’s repression of religion. The Yellow Sashes are often traditionalists who wish to return the country back to the way it was 150 years ago. The Yellow Sashes want a return to the previous form of government before communism, which was a hereditary monarchy. |
| Olvana Jemaah Islamiyah | Insurgency | Olvana | The OJI is a Muslim insurgent group that operates primarily in Western Olvana with many of its leaders training in the Middle East. As the OJI becomes stronger, the group continues to push further to the east. The mainline OJI is usually content to slowly convert people to Islam by providing services to the poor rural people that the central Olvana government seems to forget. There are OJI cells that do not feel the conversion process is occurring fast enough, however, and are trying to convert the rural villages by force. |
| Olvana Christian Party | Insurgency | Olvana | The OCP is not a political party, but a group of Christian missionaries whose mission is to make the lives of rural Olvanians better while converting them. The Olvana central government is not extreme in its denunciation of religion and will generally allow various religions to practice as long as those practicing their faith seek to use it as a means to overturn the current political structure. The OCP is on the cusp of going from a group tolerated by the Olvana government in the northwestern part of the country to one that the communists will seek to destroy. |
| South Torbian Communist Army | Insurgency | South Torbia | The South Torbian Communist Army (TCA) is probably less than 1,000 actual fighters, but they may have many more supporters throughout the country. Their expressed intent is to establish a communist country based on the Marxist model, the same goal as stated by the South Torbian Communist Party (TCP). The TCP claims that their group has no connection to the TCA, but there are probably some members that belong to both organizations. |
| Islamic Torbian Army | Insurgency | South Torbia | The Islamic Torbian Army (ITA) began on Mindoro as a movement to convert the country into an Islamic Republic. The ITA has expanded to many parts of South Torbia, especially those that contain a large number of Muslims. Since the ITA normally attacks non-Muslims, most other Muslims remain neutral or provide tacit support to the ITA. |
| Gabal Forever | Insurgency | Gabal | "Gabal Forever" is a very small group (less than 100) of boisterous people who do not like the way the government and business leaders are catering to foreigners in attempt to chase the tourist dollar. Many of these are 85%-95% ethnically native to the local islands and trace their ancestry back beyond written history through the oral history tradition of their ancestors. These people are upset about the change in their island’s life and would like it to return to what it was 200 years ago before Westerners arrived. |
See also TC 7-100.3 Irregular Opposing Forces, Chapter 2: Insurgents and Chapter 3: Guerrillas
Criminal Organizations and Activities
| Group Name | Type | Country | Description |
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| Tantoco Cartel | Criminal | Multiple | The Tantoco Cartel was founded in the Republic of Torbia, it also operates in the largest cities of Olvana. The Tantoco Cartel is involved in almost every type of criminal activity imaginable: drug and weapons smuggling, extortion, motor vehicle theft, illegal gambling, money laundering, counterfeiting, and murder-for-hire The Olvana government is serious about bribery as some senior government leaders have been forced to resign or imprisoned when caught taking bribes. |
| Osongco Syndicate | Criminal | South Torbia | The Osongco Syndicate is a large-scale criminal network that is based on the island of Mindoro in Bongabong led by Zikri Osongco. Osongco may sometimes work with the Tantoco Cartel, but it is not part of the latter. Tantoco leaves Osongco alone as long as he confines his activities to Mindoro. The Osongco Syndicate is primarily involved in stolen goods and smuggling, but will not hesitate to delve into other areas on the island that can make the organization money such as extortion or even bank robbery, especially those that do not practice the Muslim faith. Some Muslims see Osongco as a modern-day Robin Hood who takes from the rich and gives to the poor. |
| Kumpulan | Criminal | Gabal | Kumpulan is the major criminal organization in Gabal. Its leader owns a local import/export business with warehouses in several cities and towns in Gabal, from which it can hide illegal goods among legitimate imports. It is highly likely that the group has agents scattered throughout the National Police as well as any local governmental officials. |
See also TC 7-100.3 Irregular Opposing Forces, Chapter 4: Criminals
| DATE Pacific Quick Links . | |
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| Belesia | Political • Military • Economic • Social • Information • Infrastructure • Physical Environment • Time |
| Gabal | Political • Military • Economic • Social • Information • Infrastructure • Physical Environment • Time |
| North Torbia | Political • Military • Economic • Social • Information • Infrastructure • Physical Environment • Time |
| Olvana | Political • Military • Economic • Social • Information • Infrastructure • Physical Environment • Time |
| South Torbia | Political • Military • Economic • Social • Information • Infrastructure • Physical Environment • Time |
| Other | Non-State Threat Actors and Conditions |
- ↑ The DATE countries listed below are fictionalized territories at the national and first-order administrative levels (i.e. province or county depending on the country). Lower order boundaries such as city wards and municipalities, and physical features such as mountains, rivers, and deserts, have retained their actual names. In many cases literature and media sources will use more than one name for a feature, and may spell them in different ways. As practicable, DATE will follow the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency's guidance contained in the Geonet Names Server (GNS), "the official repository of standard spellings of all foreign geographic names sanctioned by the United States Board on Geographic Names (US BGN)". However, the reader should be cautioned that reference texts and maps may use these other variants. These common variants are also listed in the GNS.