Backtalk: In high-stakes region, PacAF builds its fleet

[unhappycamper]

In high-stakes region, PacAF builds its fleet
By Robert F. Dorr - [e-mail]

Now that he is in command of Pacific Air Forces, Gen. Carrol “Howie” Chandler is responsible for 55,000 airmen and a vast region that stretches from India to Alaska.

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In some respects, PacAF may be ahead of the rest of the Air Force, especially with the service’s silver bullet, the F-22: Hester said the 90th Fighter Squadron, “Pair o’ Dice,” at Elmendorf has transferred its F-15E Strike Eagles and is standing up with F-22s. Hickam will soon boast the first (and likely only) Air National Guard unit to “own” F-22s. Hester said the Hawaii Raptors will be manned by Guardsmen and by a “reverse associate” unit of active-duty airmen. In Hawaii, memories are long when it comes to a need for defense: Hester turned over to Chandler a PacAF headquarters building still pockmarked from rounds fired by Japanese warplanes attacking Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Given the ever-present threat of Beijing making a grab for the island nation of Taiwan, which the U.S. is committed to defend, new PacAF boss Chandler will need to find the right mix of cooperation and engagement. The fast-growing China that gives us consumer products and environmental worries is also building a world-class air force and a blue-water navy. China appears to have little interest in expanding its long-range ballistic missile force, already capable of delivering 30 nuclear warheads to U.S. soil. However, Beijing recently demonstrated the capability to intercept a satellite in space, where the world’s major nations have avoided conflict so far.

Hester said the influence of China is one reason for an ongoing buildup at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Watch for the arrival of a Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle unit on Guam. “ISR is coming to the Pacific,” said Hester, referring to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/community/opinion/airforce_backtalk_pacaf_071217/