What's Happening?
The U.S. Air Force is refining its basing strategy in the Pacific region to enhance its deterrence capabilities against China. The service is implementing the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept, which involves a hub-and-spoke approach to basing, allowing
for more flexible and resilient operations. This strategy was recently exercised at scale during the Resolute Pacific exercise, which provided valuable lessons for future operations. Air Force leaders, including Undersecretary Matthew Lohmeier, emphasize the importance of projecting force and maintaining strong alliances with regional partners like Japan and South Korea. The focus is on ensuring that the U.S. and its allies can effectively respond to potential conflicts in the Indo-Pacific theater.
Why It's Important?
The Air Force's strategic shift towards a more agile and distributed basing model is crucial for maintaining a credible deterrent against China, which has been expanding its military presence in the region. By enhancing its operational flexibility, the U.S. can better protect its interests and those of its allies in the Indo-Pacific. This approach also strengthens partnerships with regional allies, who play a vital role in maintaining stability and security. The emphasis on pre-positioned equipment and improved command and control capabilities ensures that the U.S. is prepared to respond quickly to any threats, thereby reinforcing its commitment to peace and stability in the region.
What's Next?
The Air Force will continue to refine its basing strategy and conduct further exercises to test and improve its capabilities. Collaboration with regional allies will be a key focus, as the U.S. seeks to integrate their capabilities into its operations. The ongoing strategic pivot to the Indo-Pacific will likely involve increased investment in infrastructure and resources to support the ACE concept. As tensions with China persist, the U.S. will need to balance its military commitments globally while ensuring that it remains prepared to address challenges in the Pacific.
