Alaska F-22s deployed to Pacific even as tensions escalate between China, Japan

[Talon]

“This deployment is the second F-22 Pacific Command theater deployment since 2011,” Conner said. “The F-22s from Langley AFB, Virginia were the first to deploy. It is a rotational deployment that signifies a continued commitment to regional stability and security and allows our units to become familiar with operating in the Pacific theater.”

The move to the Pacific is interesting in light of the heightened tension between Japan and China, originating from a dispute over what the Japanese call the Senkaku Islands and the Chinese refer to as the Diaoyu Islands. While some of the debate revolves around the fishing waters around the islands -- China launched a 1,000-fishing-vessel fleet over the weekend -- that’s not the real issue.

"These islands are just tiny little rocks in the ocean, not inhabitable, so the land itself is not really the point," said Dr. Paul Dunscomb, a professor of East Asian history at the University of Alaska Anchorage. "But the ocean territories and the seabed resources around the islands are very much the point, in particular oil and gas and minerals."

The F-22s based out of Langley are currently stationed in Kadena, Japan, very close to the islands in question. The U.S. has a security treaty with Japan which would obligate military intervention should the situation escalate, but Conner said that this most recent deployment is entirely unrelated the situation.

“These deployments are a prudent measure to maintain a credible deterrent posture and presence in the region and not in response to any specific situation,” Conner said. “This deployment is just resuming the F-22 deployment rotation.”

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/al...hina-japan

[GP100357]

[Gibbie]

No pair of world nuclear powers has ever fought an open conventional war.

[vikingwoman]

this can't end well....

[Aquarius]

(09-19-2012 02:50 PM)vikingwoman Wrote:  this can't end well....

[Wingsprint]

9/18/2012 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Active duty and Reserve F-22 pilots, maintenance and support personnel from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska's 3rd Wing and 477th Fighter Group have deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The F-22's arrived at Andersen AFB on Sept. 13.

This marks the first time since 2011 F-22's from the 3rd Wing have deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations.

Pacific Air Forces Theater Security Package deployments to the Asia-Pacific region signify a continued commitment to regional stability and security, while allowing units to train in the Pacific theater. F-22's routinely deploy throughout U.S. Pacific Command's area of responsibility.

The F-22 deployment to Andersen AFB is in support of Pacific Command's security obligations in the Western Pacific, and the deployed unit will perform training under the direction of the 36th Wing at Andersen AFB.

The United States routinely evaluates readiness and repositions forces as needed to ensure capabilities necessary to meet obligations in the Asia-Pacific region.

These deployments demonstrate the continued U.S. commitment to fulfill security responsibilities throughout the Western Pacific and to maintain peace in the region.

http://www.andersen.af.mil/

http://www.andersen.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123318363



People's Liberation Army Air Force

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_..._Air_Force

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chengdu_J-10

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-30MKK

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenyang_J-11

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-27

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenyang_J-8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chengdu_J-7



Japan Air Self-Defense Force

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_F-2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_F-15J

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-4_Phantom_II



United States Air Force

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Air_Force

[Talon]

China Showdown? Carriers Stennis & Washington Team-Up along with F22 Squadrons from Alaska. F22s Deploy to Hawaii

Source: Investment Watchblog

The Stennis is heading for the Persian Gulf– will Washington following making it 4 carriers off Iran’s coast?

Or are they being positioned for a showdown with China?

120920-N-SF704-238 WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 20, 2012) Operating to ensure security and stability in the vital Asia-Pacific region, two of the U.S. Navy’s 11 global force aircraft carriers conducted readiness operations at the conclusion of exercise Valiant Shield.

The Bremerton, Washington-based aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), foreground, the forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), background, along with the San Diego-based guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) exercised surface and anti-submarine training events as well as integrated flight operations in order to respond quickly to any future crises in the region.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-as...8298_n.jpg



Looks like they are both positioned for a China conflict.

Washington just pulled into Guam on the heels of the deployment of an F22 squadron from Alaska.



Alaska Reserve F-22 unit becomes fully operational

“Fully operation capable means that we are ready and able to execute our wartime tasking,” said Radliff.

http://www.f-16.net/news_article4622.html

F22’s Deploy from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/156201/f22...z26wS5roEc

Carter: “Our newest forces are going to the Pacific first.” Says after highlighting F22 deployment and plans to station F35s in region.



Hawaii ANG has full complement of F-22 Raptors

http://www.f-16.net/news_article4624.html

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/19590...um=twitter

Gen. Hostage: F22 is fully deployable … Our enemy sees it and it scares them.



U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Sept. 19, 2012) – An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Jolly Rogers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103 launches from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-as...5406_n.jpg

The Economist

This week’s cover preview: Could China and Japan really go to war over these? Sadly, yes.

http://www.blacklistednews.com/China_Sho...8/Y/M.html

[Talon]

It took forever for this page to load because of the pic hotlinked to anderson.afb.mil.....