Chief of USAF Operations in the Pacific says USAF Plans to Send Aircraft to Thailand

[Chao Lao Beach]

This article was written regarding Australia and published on the ABC Australia, link to the full article is here. It mentions a USAF presence in Thailand.

I am not speculating either way, just sharing the news story. Enjoy

Selected Quotes from the article, follow the links for the full information in full context :

Foreign Policy magazine said it was part of a US strategy to dramatically expand its air defense presence across the Pacific and South-East Asia.

The report cited comments by the Chief of USAF Operations in the Pacific, General Herbert 'Hawk' Carlisle, in Washington this week.

He said the USAF did not plan to build large amounts of infrastructure across South-East Asia to support permanent US garrisons.

Instead, it planned to use existing airfields and military resources in the region.

According to the Foreign Policy magazine report, General Carlisle said the USAF also planned to send aircraft to Singapore, Thailand and India, and possibly use existing bases in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

The magazine report said General Carlisle had stated the USAF would use its "most capable platforms" for the Pacific rotation plan.

This could include large numbers of F-22 Raptors, F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and B-2 stealth bombers.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-31/usaf-plans-for-pacific-foreign-pol3bicy-magazine-report/4856112

Edited July 31, 2013 by Chao Lao Beach

[kannot]

I thought the U.S was bankrupt?

[NeverSure]

I thought the U.S was bankrupt?

Well, if you listen to some of the experts on ThaiVisa (the world's most authoritative source lol) you'd get that impression all right.

[kikoman]

I believe the action is dictated by the US signal to China, that the US will stand by their stated policy, of aiding Asian countries to defend themselves against aggressive action by China, for the Chinese not to underestimate the US resolve again as it did during the Korean war.

The US has already had air bases in Thailand used extensively during the Vietnam war.

Cheers:

[billd766]

If they won't let NASA in with its ER-2 High-Altitude Airborne Science Aircraft http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-046-DFRC.html perhaps the USAF has no chance.

[wannascuba]

This sounds like a Hardship Tour. Sign me up!

[Lancelot]

I believe the action is dictated by the US signal to China, that the US will stand by their stated policy, of aiding Asian countries to defend themselves against aggressive action by China, for the Chinese not to underestimate the US resolve again as it did during the Korean war.

The US has already had air bases in Thailand used extensively during the Vietnam war.

Cheers:

Yep, its a message. Uncle Sam is smiling at the Chinese while patting his 44.

I do find it strange, seeing how the Thais asked us to leave around 1975; same for the Philippines in 1991. But of course Asian nations didn't fear China then and now they do.

I really don't see the benefit to the US

[bonobo]

A couple of years ago, Vietnam asked the US to open a base at the old US-the-Soviet naval base at Cam Ranh Bay. The US demurred.

I am not sure how well this will go over in Thailand. In the Philippines, sure, it will probably fly. But as another poster posted, if NASA had problems, wouldn't fighters and bombers have more?

[Shaksey]

Are they gonna have the money to fly them though?

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130408/DEFREG02/304080011/Reduced-Flying-Hours-Forces-USAF-Ground-17-Combat-Air-Squadrons

[kikoman]

If the US fails to defend its allies in Asia, for whatever reason. The US is destined to face China alone some time in the future.

The US not only must look towards Asia but also at the big Chinese move into Latin America, where the US has never been held in high regard. There has been unconfirmed reports of the Chinese military in Mexico, on or near the border with the US.

The US is not doing anything out of the kindness of its international heart, but what they consider in their own national interest. Its better to fight China outside of the continental US with the aid of Allies!

Just my dos centavos!

Cheers:

[Chao Lao Beach]

If they won't let NASA in with its ER-2 High-Altitude Airborne Science Aircraft http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-046-DFRC.html perhaps the USAF has no chance.

When I read this, I was thinking the same.

[h90]

I thought the U.S was bankrupt?

So they need more military to bring democracy to countries that get the idea to trade in other currencies than USD.

[homeownership]

America could destroy China without firing a single bullet and make a killingin the process.

All they have to do is default on 15 Trillion dollars worth of debt.

It would cripple the world economy and then issue a new fiat currency to our friends and allies.

China would implode and the US, UK would have its manufacturing back.

China would be in chaos.

Just a thought.

[Lancelot]

If the US fails to defend its allies in Asia, for whatever reason. The US is destined to face China alone some time in the future.

The US not only must look towards Asia but also at the big Chinese move into Latin America, where the US has never been held in high regard. There has been unconfirmed reports of the Chinese military in Mexico, on or near the border with the US.

The US is not doing anything out of the kindness of its international heart, but what they consider in their own national interest. Its better to fight China outside of the continental US with the aid of Allies!

Just my dos centavos!

Cheers:

Of course, all countries act in their own self interest. But I really don't see the Chinese as the USA's enemy. And some of the USA's so called allies have their own agendas. The Sprately Islands spat (about oil) is not in the USA's strategic interests.

Again, the Philippines asked the US to vacate their islands; so now I for one say good luck to the Philippine government in their ongoing Sprately Islands issues. They are a soverign nation -and expelled the Yankees- so how is that working out for them?

[Lancelot]

A couple of years ago, Vietnam asked the US to open a base at the old US-the-Soviet naval base at Cam Ranh Bay. The US demurred.

And that was a mistake. The Thais and Philipinos kicked the US out of their countries and thats OK, national self determination. Not htat I favor US military bases in Asia, but if I did, Viet Nam would be high on the list.

A Vietnamese toled me, "We fought the Chinese for 1,000 years, the French for 100 years and the US for 10 years. Who do you think is our real enemy?"

The US needs to get over the past history with Viet Nam and Cuba too...

[The Deerhunter]

My vote is with Mr Kikoman's logic.

[MobileContent]

If I remember correctly they have already a small air-force base in Singapore, in Australia they too have and as well in Japan and Guam.

My guess they will not return to Thailand but maybe in the future to the Philippines.

[aTomsLife]

While I hate my government acting as the world's police force, the U.S.'s main economic interest in the region is ensuring our 1.2 trillion dollars in exports have safe passage through the South China Sea. Aside from that, the countries in the region should build up their own militaries to ensure that China is kept in check. This is especially true for the Vietnamese; they dare not come whining to Uncle Sam as a result to China's infringement on their territory. All they deserve to hear is, We told you so.

[SinglePot]

Post 4 from kikoman makes sense.

Started speculating yet CLB?

[Dancealot]

If the US fails to defend its allies in Asia, for whatever reason. The US is destined to face China alone some time in the future.

The US not only must look towards Asia but also at the big Chinese move into Latin America, where the US has never been held in high regard. There has been unconfirmed reports of the Chinese military in Mexico, on or near the border with the US.

The US is not doing anything out of the kindness of its international heart, but what they consider in their own national interest. Its better to fight China outside of the continental US with the aid of Allies!

Just my dos centavos!

Cheers:

There are a lot of unconfirmed reports, A LOT...

[arthurwait]

Burma ?

[Loptr]

If the US fails to defend its allies in Asia, for whatever reason. The US is destined to face China alone some time in the future.

The US not only must look towards Asia but also at the big Chinese move into Latin America, where the US has never been held in high regard. There has been unconfirmed reports of the Chinese military in Mexico, on or near the border with the US.

The US is not doing anything out of the kindness of its international heart, but what they consider in their own national interest. Its better to fight China outside of the continental US with the aid of Allies!

Just my dos centavos!

Cheers:

Fear mongers, the best friend of the military industrial complex.