US Pacific Commander Addresses Manifold Threats

Speaking at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in Brisbane on 28 June 2017,Admiral Harry B. Harris,Jr.,Commander,US Pacific Command,characterised the North Korean threat as covering the entire APAC Region,since its missiles point in every direction:
North Korea made this clear when they threatened Australia with a nuclear strike just a couple of months ago.*
At the same time,Adm.Harris pointed out,the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant is a growing threat in the region,having named Isnilon Hapilon its emir of Southeast Asia:
These terrorists are using combat tactics that we've seen in the Middle East to kill in the city of Marawi in Mindanao (the Philippines).*
With regard to the ongoing US/Australia/New Zealand Exercise Talisman Sabre 17,the admiral noted:
TS17 is a realistic,high-end and challenging exercise that provides endless opportunities for our nations to innovatively prepare for our shared regional and global security challenges.
Our alliance matters.It matters to our two great nations.It matters to the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region and it matters to the world,because,just as Australia and the US stood together against tyranny and oppression in the twentieth century,the world expects no less in the twenty-first.*
As to China,Adm.Harris told ASPI:
I believe the Chinese are building up combat power and positional advantage to assert de facto sovereignty over disputed maritime features and spaces in the South China Sea,where they are physically altering the physical and political landscape by creating and militarising man-made bases.Fake islands shouldn't be believed by real people.

Air Force B-1B Lancer Strategic Bombers Deployed to Asia-Pacific

In support of the US Pacific Command's longstanding continuous bomber presence mission,several US Air Force B-1B Lancer supersonic strategic bombers were deployed to the US island of Guam on 6 August 2016 from Ellsworth Air Force Base,South Dakota.The B-1Bs are replacing B-52H Stratofortress bombers from Minot Air Force Base,North Dakota,after nearly 10 years of service in the USPACOM mission.*
With its large weapon capacity-the greatest in the bomber inventory-and exceptional standoff strike capability,the Lancers will pose a credible strategic power projection platform when forward-deployed for the stability and security of the Asia-Pacific region.*
According to US Global Strike Command,to which the bombers belong,the B-1B is a significant capability that enables our readiness and commitment to deterrence;provides assurance to our allies;and strengthens regional security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.The Lancers are being deployed on a routine strategic deterrence and regional training mission.*
The newly deployed bombers,members of the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron,will be integrating their unique rapid response capability with regional allies and partners.Supported by some 300 Airmen from the 28th Bomb Wing,the Rockwell-built aircraft will be ready to deter aggression with a wide range of conventional and nuclear ordnance they can deliver at short notice over long distances.*
Rockwell Collins Inc (COL)

Inside Exercise Balikatan 16 - why it matters so much

As part of their role in the ongoing Exercise Balikatan 16,the US Marines have taken their High Mobility Artillery Rocket System,HIMARS,to Palawan,the Philippines' westernmost island in the hotly disputed South China Sea.The presence of HIMARS and dozens of aircraft in BK 16 indicates the drills are about territorial defence and retaking territory,analysts say,conditioned by international disapproval of Chinese militarisation of islands in the South China Sea,almost all of which it claims to be its territorial waters.
The Philippines also have an airstrip on Thitu Island (population 350) and small troop contingents on smaller outcrops such as Thomas Shoal,where they post their Marines on an old World War II vessel.The Philippines Navy has surplus US Navy ships.*
Under the new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the US and the Philippines,US troops will rotate through five camps,including two air bases near the South China Sea.The US Embassy Manila said that,during BK 16,the two allies will work together to enhance maritime law enforcement throughout the Philippines to meet training requirements and enhance techniques,tactics and procedures as a critical part of interoperability of our forces.They will also conduct combined simulation supported events in three main commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines:Western,Northern Luzon and Southern Luzon,and other major military camps:Crow Valley;Fort Magsaysay;Clark Air Field;Subic Bay;Palawan and Panay to improve their ability to work together and plan follow-on operations.One of the main operations will be the implementation of a rapid reaction force as part of distributed operations in the vicinity of Panay.About 11,000 US,Philippine and Australian troops are participating in BK 16,which runs from 4-16 April.BK 16 is the 32nd annual Exercise Balikatan,which means "Shoulder-to-Shoulder."
The US has reportedly sent five ships to BK 16,including a destroyer,amphibious transport dock and expeditionary fast transport ship;while the Philippines sent two ships.*
BK 16 is a sharing of best practices,not just the US teaching Filipinos,said AFP Major General Rodolfo Santiago,Assistant Exercise Director.Besides a staff exercise component,BK 16 has a field exercise component with live fire that includes an amphibious landing and a humanitarian civil action programme on Panay Island.The Australian Defence Force team,besides supporting the amphibious landing and providing a maritime surveillance aircraft,will assist in the refurbishment of a school and provide special dental mentoring to AFP dental personnel.It is Australia's third year in this annual exercise hosted by AFP and US Pacific Command.

Global and Domestic Concerns:Inside US Strategic Command

A rare look into the world of  the US strategic forces was given in Washington recently.
Any future arms reductions with Russia should be bilateral and verifiable,said General Robert Kehler,US Air Force,Commander,US Strategic Command at a Senate Armed Forces Committee hearing at the Capitol on Monday.We have been on a successful and deliberate path with them.It also provides transparency and engagement with Russia that is extremely valuable.
I would not go below the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty levels unilaterally.Working with the Russians has been a consistent theme.
We do not believe officially they are compliant with the Conventional Forces in Europe agreement,but are with the new START agreement.The Russians are very careful about their Command and Control.This is why we would like more transparency with China on a military-to-military basis.
I believe China is not seeking numeric parity with us or Russia.
With North Korea,we're looking to see if adjustments need to be made.Deterrence begins on the Peninsula from in-theater forces and extends all the way back to STRATCOM.Today we can make all the options available to the President of the United States.We are looking if we are on the right pathway for the future.I believe it's difficult to weigh their intentions.
It's about readiness for us.We participate with US Pacific Command exercises,demonstrating the credibility of our capabilities,and I believe that's important.We agree forcefully with the need to modernise and sustain the nuclear deterrent.
In some cases,conventional forces can produce a similar result.Strong conventional forces can contribute to deterrence,but nuclear deterrence continues to occupy a unique place.They are complementary.Increases in our conventional capabilities has made a difference,narrowing the role of our nuclear deterrence.
I believe our nuclear deterrent force is safe and secure and under the control of POTUS.It meets our needs today,but that will vary as the world situation changes.
All of this is sensitive to the budget decisions.There will be impacts across the board;we just can't predict what until we see the actual budget.The most troubling impact will be the impact on our civilian work force and readiness accounts.It is happening now;we will see the effects in coming months.
Today the civilians are senior leaders,integral to everything we do.They have expertise and experience we do not have in the uniformed force-highly technical.My concern begins with unintentional and intangible effects on our work force.People with college degrees are wondering if this is for them,General Kehler observed.