Maj. Gen. Lance Okamura, Deputy Commanding General– Homeland Affairs for U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), travelled to Vietnam on March 22-25 and met with Sr. LTG Phùng Sĩ Tấn, Deputy Chief of Staff of Vietnam People’s Army. The two discussed cooperation in addressing the legacies of war and continued military to military cooperation as outlined in the U.S. – Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and 2024 U.S.-Vietnam Joint Vision Statement on Defense Relations.
Joined by U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, Marc Knapper, Maj. Gen. Okamura delivered remarks and presided over the official handover ceremony for the Ba Vi Humanitarian Mine Action Demolition Training Range (Ba Vi Range), enhancing Vietnam’s capacity to remove unexploded ordnance (UXO), marking a significant milestone in the U.S commitment to addressing the legacies of war, USARPAC-Vietnam Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) program, and as the two countries celebrate 30 years diplomatic relations.
“U.S. Army Pacific, through the HMA program, has supported the Vietnam Mine Action Center (VNMAC) demining efforts since 2016. The Ba Vi range provides VNMAC with a dedicated range to conduct crucial explosive ordnance destruction training, continue instructor development, and meet requirements on management and implementation of activities to overcome the consequences of war,” said Okamura.
“Vietnam will become increasingly able to contribute to the challenge of UXO around the world, reinforcing Vietnam’s role as a responsible and proactive member of the international community and demonstrating our shared goal of making America, Vietnam, and the world a safer place,” shared Ambassador Knapper.
The Ambassador also recognized the important work by NGO partners including Norwegian People's Aid, PeaceTrees Vietnam, Mines Advisory Group, as well the Quang Tri Mine Action Center on carrying out this very important work.
Addressing war legacy issues is a foundational element of the strong relationship between the two countries. The visit further represents the continued trust the two nations have built since establishing ties in 1995.
U.S. Army Pacific looks forward to future engagements with Vietnam including Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief training, military medical support, engineer projects, and civil-military relations outreach programs.
The new Ba Vi Humanitarian Mine Action Demolition Training Range covers a total area of two hectares with an investment of USD $700,000. Construction began in 2024. The training range complies with International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and is designed to develop mine action personnel for clearance operations in support of Vietnam’s National Program 504. It features a dedicated training area aligned with IMAS for handling explosive materials, conducting investigations and surveys, performing clearance operations, testing equipment, and training in demolition procedures.
The United States is the largest single donor to the survey and clearance of UXO in Vietnam, contributing more than $250 million since 1993. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on continued unexploded ordnance cooperation in December 2013 and an in-depth cooperation plan in 2023. Since 1994, U.S. assistance to remove UXO, as well as risk education programming and community development projects, has significantly improved livelihoods and saved the lives of residents of Central Vietnam.