Beyond the West Coast of the United States are 85 million square miles of ocean, stretching from the Aleutian Islands in the north to the South Pole; past the Hawaiian Islands and onto Guam and the Philippines and continuing to Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean and beyond. In total, about 40 percent of the globe are covered by those waters — and are the responsibility of the United States Pacific Command. That dramatic narrative introduces the viewer to this color film and the unified combatant command of the US armed forces responsible for the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (It is also the oldest and largest of the unified combatant commands.) Produced by the Department of Defense circa 1969, the film shows a montage of aircraft, soldiers, and sailors, as the narrator quotes President Dwight D. Eisenhower as saying that separate air, land, and sea warfare are no longer viable, and that all services must operate as a single unit under the command of the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC). At mark 03:08, an officer (played by veteran actor William Boyett) explains the purpose and mission of Pacific Command, as well as its chain of command.
Following a reminder of the lives lost in World War II’s Pacific Theater at mark 05:10, the narrator explains that areas in the Pacific continue to be at risk, as a map of Southeast Asia is shown on the screen. Following a review of military commands in the Pacific, the film continues to explore the importance of Pacific Command, from the strategic position of B-52 bombers on Guam to the deployment of nuclear submarines beneath the water. Although the sea has been kept free, the narrator continues at mark 08:38, that is not the case for all lands, as the film shows scenes of US military personnel — “welcome guests” — mingling with residents, teaching them skills, or providing medical services. The viewer is also taken to various bases, including Clark Air Force Base and the US Naval Base at Subic Bay in the Philippines, with those stationed there poised to act if and when needed.
At mark 10:50, the film takes its viewers to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North Korea and South Korea, as we learn how the armistice line is permanently lined by troops from the US 8th Army and the Republic of Korea — “a capable deterrent against overt Communist aggression.” Troops stationed in Korea are also shown socializing with residents and teaching boys and girls volleyball, as well as assisting with farming and creating roads and bridges. As the film takes us to the coast of Japan at mark 14:39, we see scenes at Tachikawa Airfield in Tokyo and army depots tasked with providing supplies to Pacific commands. At times, troops are also forced into combat, as the film shows several minutes of footage from the jungles of Vietnam beginning at mark 17:17, and an explanation that the US Army and Marine Corps are trying to “persuade” North Vietnamese forces to withdraw from the south, with assistance from the Air Force and Navy. The Navy and Coast Guard also aid South Vietnamese forces with stopping the re-supply of North Vietnamese forces, we learn starting at mark 20:35. With continued assistance from South Vietnamese forces, the Pacific Command will continue its efforts in Southeast Asia and across all 85 million square miles it is charged to protect, the narrator reminds the viewer, as the film comes to an end.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
