Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE) Indo-Pacific Expansion: Strengthening Army Training and Theater Readiness

TRADOC G-2 is adding five new countries to the U.S. Army’s Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE) Indo-Pacific region. This DATE expansion, developed in close collaboration with the Army Battle Lab of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Command and Staff College of the U.S. Marine Corps, directly supports Army training and theater readiness efforts by providing realistic, scenario-based environments aligned with current and emerging operational challenges.  

Three new countries—Sunda Baru, Patani Baru, and Volcani Tura—are available immediately, with two additional countries, Fanu Rai and the Puller Islands, set for release in the coming weeks. These additions further enrich the DATE Indo-Pacific landscape, offering a diverse range of political, military, and geographic scenarios critical for preparing U.S. forces and their partners for complex, real-world operations. 

This expansion exemplifies the ongoing commitment of the U.S. Army, ADF, and the U.S. Marine Corps to joint and partner interoperability. By integrating new operational environments and leveraging multinational expertise, DATE continues to evolve as a premier training tool supporting Army readiness and fostering seamless collaboration among allied and partner forces. 

Meet the New Countries 

Sunda Baru.
A parliamentary democracy spanning the Malay Peninsula and the islands of Java, Borneo, and Sumatra. Formed through a merger of smaller states, Sunda Baru has a modern, power-projecting military and an expansionist foreign policy. 

Patani Baru.
A small, decentralized federation bordered by Sunda Baru and Khorathidin. It split from Sunda Baru and consists of five provinces—four monarchies and one democracy. Its limited military capability makes it vulnerable to Sunda Baru’s sovereignty claims. 

Volcani Tura.
An island nation covering eastern New Guinea and surrounding islands. A parliamentary democracy rich in untapped natural resources, it controls key sea lanes between the Coral and Arafura Seas. Its challenges include poverty, informal economies, and rising regional competition. 

Puller Islands (coming soon).
A volcanic archipelago of 1,000 islands in the southwest Pacific. This parliamentary democracy focuses on regional cooperation and economic development. Despite progress since a civil war 25 years ago, it still faces corruption, isolation, and resource scarcity. 

Fanu Rai (coming soon).
A semi-presidential republic on the eastern half of Timor shaped by resistance and democratic consolidation. Strategically located and rich in oil and gas, Fanu Rai plays a growing role in Southeast Asia’s geopolitical landscape. 

This latest DATE expansion underscores the U.S. Army’s commitment to preparing for the unique challenges of the Indo-Pacific, ensuring that Soldiers, Marines, and partner forces are ready to operate together in any environment. 

TRADOC G-2 remains dedicated to building a unified training environment that reflects the complexities of the real-world operational environment (OE). The new countries are available on the OE Data Integration Network (ODIN) at https://odin.tradoc.army.mil/Region/Indo-Pacific.