The United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) oversees national defense operations from the west coast of the continental U.S. to the Indian Ocean, and from the Arctic region to the South Pacific, covering more of the globe than any other geographic combatant command. From its headquarters in Hawaii, USINDOPACOM protects and defends the territory of the United States, its people and its interests across the vast theater, advancing joint-force readiness and strategic alliances.
Black & Veatch leader Kellie Sak, Vice President of Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp., discusses the challenges and opportunities ahead for INDOPACOM.
How can Black & Veatch address the strategic importance and urgency of mission-critical facility and infrastructure development in USINDOPACOM’s mission?
Mission-critical facilities and infrastructure are essential for USINDOPACOM to deliver advanced warfighting capabilities across the vast Indo-Pacific theater. To maintain a forward presence, the U.S. military needs innovative solutions that are deployable, adaptable and enduring. Projects must be delivered faster, on time and on budget. Black & Veatch brings a readiness mindset to enable USINDOPACOM operational reach and resilience – backed by proven delivery models and modular solutions that can be deployed quickly and scaled as needed. We are ready to serve all – USACE, AFCEC, NAVFAC and others.
What distinguishes the expertise that Black & Veatch brings to address gaps and challenges across the Indo-Pacific?
There are gaps and challenges in delivering planning and carrying out projects in remote areas that lack infrastructure and in contested environments where it can be hard to get different teams and systems to work together smoothly. Cybersecurity risks and tight budgets add to the complexity.
Black & Veatch can address these issues with urgency. We bring a record of innovation in new technologies and processes and building mission-critical infrastructure the right way, under pressure, advancing mission success in dynamic and contested environments. Our federal and private sector experience enables us to execute faster, more agile pathways from concept to construction—so infrastructure can keep pace with mission demands and strategic realities. From grid hardening and water security to telecom resilience and disaster recovery, we have helped clients design systems that survive disruption and adapt to evolving threats.
These lessons directly inform how we support military infrastructure—whether it is building cyber-secure energy systems, deploying modular water treatment in remote locations or restoring communications after a storm.
How is Black & Veatch delivering on resilience as a critical goal for the Indo-Pacific theater?
Resilience is an operational imperative for USINDOPACOM. Facilities and infrastructure in extremely harsh environments must be reliable, cyber secure and capable of functioning independently on islands and in remote locations. With evolving and escalating risks, resilience promotes mission success, a sustained force presence and enduring deterrence. It is necessary so the joint force can operate with confidence.
Black & Veatch specializes in delivering resilient infrastructure in challenging environments. From modular energy systems to expeditionary water and communications, our solutions perform under stress. For example, we have supported HECO and military installations across the Indo-Pacific, providing secure, scalable systems that enable operational continuity and force readiness. With our global engineering and organizational footprint, we can mobilize quickly and deliver reliably when the mission calls for remote deployment, rapid response and/or long-term sustainment.
What role do forums like the SAME Indo-Pacific Regional Summit play in shaping Black & Veatch’s direction and priorities?
Forums like the SAME Indo-Pacific Regional Summit are strategic accelerators. They bring military agencies, industry leaders and regional partners together, to align on mission needs, policy shifts and infrastructure priorities, providing an unparalleled opportunity to connect, collaborate and build partnerships with key Indo-Pacific Government Agencies and industry partners. SAME IPRS also allows us to send a message to our clients and partners that Black & Veatch is committed to Hawaii and the Indo-Pacific theater with our local office and strong local connections.
