US Ambassador to Malaysia officially opens US pavilion at DSA 2016

In a short ceremony yesterday, his Excellency the Honourable Joseph Yun, the appointed U.S ambassador to Malaysia officially opened the United States Defence and Security pavilion at the Defence Services Asia 2016 trade show with a short ribbon cutting ceremony.

Joining him in the short but meaningful ceremony was Ms. Ann Cataldo, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense Exports and Cooperation, U.S Marine Corps Major General Richard L. Simcock, Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Major General Todd B. McCaffrey, Deputy Commanding General for U.S Army Pacific and Mr. Michael Scanlan CMP, Director, Industry Affairs, Association of the U.S Army. “DSA has become one of the foremost global defence services shows in the world and I am happy to declare the United States Defence and Security Pavilion open,” said the ambassador.

From left: Mr. Michael Scanlan CMP, Director, Industry Affairs, Association of the U.S Army, Ms. Ann Cataldo, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense Exports and Cooperation, the Honourable ambassador Joseph Yun, U.S Marine Corps Major General Richard L. Simcock, Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Major General Todd B. McCaffrey, Deputy Commanding General for U.S Army Pacific

After the ceremony, the ambassador shared a few words with media in regards to the array of technologies and services on offer at the U.S Defence and Security pavilion. “The exhibitors at the U.S pavilion today are showcasing not just cutting edge defence technologies but also the latest in communications, optics and fire fighting technologies,” said the ambassador, “I really enjoyed looking at Oshkosh who are displaying their fire fighting vehicles for airports at DSA 2016 as well as the latest in medical innovations by our exhibitors for battlefield medical care and for natural disasters.”

Examples of Oshkosh’s fire fighting platforms at the US pavilion at DSA 2016

The ambassador also elaborated on the close working relationship between Malaysia and the United States’ armed services. “We enjoy a close working relationship with Malaysia and in terms of security, all four of our services – the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Marines – are working closely with their Malaysian counterparts. The United States has been a significant security partner with a strong history of joint exercises as well as training in humanitarian and disaster relief.”

A model of the Predator drone at the US pavilion sans the usual payload it carries

The U.S Defence and Security pavilion is just next to the entrance to DSA 2016 and has exhibitors such as AM General who have a working example of a right-hand drive Humvee at the pavilion, General Atomics’ with a mock-up of the MQ-1 Predator drone, Oshkosh Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Barrett Firearms and more.

The right hand drive Humvee designed for consideration to Commonwealth countries at the US pavilion at DSA 2016.