Pacific Warfighting Center opens

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) - The military is opening a $48 million high-tech facility in Pearl Harbor it expects to use for exercises, training and battle simulations.

Commanders may also use the Pacific Warfighting Center to direct forces during disaster relief efforts and war.

Navy Adm. Robert Willard, the head of the U.S. Pacific Command, told an audience gathered for Tuesday's opening ceremony that the facility has already helped relief efforts in Haiti.

The military spent $25.8 million to build the center and $22 million on telecommunications infrastructure for the building on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor.

Hawaii's U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye says the country's allies can use the center to help practice joint operations with the U.S.