US troops should expect more South Pacific missions, security expert says

Concerns about Chinese efforts to build influence in the South Pacific will likely spur more exercises like one involving the U.S. Army in Fiji this month, according to a regional security expert.

One hundred and fifty troops from Company B, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment wrapped up two weeks of training alongside the Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ 3rd Infantry Regiment on Monday.

Exercise Cartwheel was the first time that such a large force of U.S. soldiers had trained on the island, said U.S. Army Pacific spokesman Maj. Kelly Haux.

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