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Posted: Monday, September 24th, 2012 9:01 AM HST

Army general: Pacific refocus means more exercises

By Associated Press

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii (AP) — The leader of U.S. Army forces in Asia and the Pacific says the service wants to exercise more with other nations in the region as the U.S. draws down from Afghanistan and the military refocuses its attention. U.S. Army Pacific Commander Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski says the Army never left the region even as it focused elsewhere. Wiercinski says he wants soldiers to exercise more with counterparts from nations like Indonesia, Malaysia and India, now that his forces are returning. Active duty, instead of reserve, soldiers will also be able to join exercises the Army holds with allies like Japan. Wiercinski says the Army doesn't need permanent bases to increase engagement with other nations. It can rotate soldiers out for a month or so and bring them back.