Panel

How Do We Deter, Fight, and Win in the Indo-Pacific?

Thursday, February 12, 2026

10:00 AM - 11:15 AM PT

Location: Operations in Focus Stage - Sails Pavilion

Confirmed Moderator(s)

VADM Phillip G. Sawyer, USN (Ret.)

Former, Commander SEVENTH Fleet

Confirmed Speaker(s)

RADM Joseph R. Buzzella, USCG

Acting Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area
VADM Patrick J. Hannifin, USN

Commander, SEVENTH Fleet
LtGen Roger B. Turner, USMC

Commander, III Marine Expeditionary Force
RDML T.J. Zerr, USN

Commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center

Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific requires integration, operational credibility, and the ability to execute complex warfighting across multiple domains. This panel brings together senior commanders and innovators actively shaping how U.S. forces operationalize warfighting capability, integrate Coast Guard and Marine Expeditionary operations, and develop the tactics and concepts required to prevail. Panelists will discuss how they're building lethal, distributed forces capable of contesting peer competitors, the role of experimentation and warfighting development in closing capability gaps, and the operational approaches that translate deterrent posture into actual fighting strength across the Indo-Pacific.