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mong forces participating in the third Red Flag-Alaska of the year, which got underway last week, are airmen of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. According to the flight commander of the Japanese forces, Col. Kyuichiro Tanaka, it marks the first time JASDF airmen will train against an aggressor squadron, a hallmark feature of Red Flag exercises. Six Japanese F-15s flew from Hyakuri Air Base and 21 JASDF members traveled aboard a USAF KC-10 to Eielson AFB, Alaska, reports SSgt. Shawn Jones. Besides those who came from Japan, this Red Flag-Alaska has participants from USAF, US Navy, Mongolia, Spain, Thailand, and Turkey. During the exercise, aviation units will fly 10 simulated combat sorties in a realistic threat environment. The exercise concludes July 27.
The Pentagon released its new National Defense Strategy late Jan. 23, emphasizing a new commitment to the Western Hemisphere. But while that focus garnered most of the headlines, the strategy’s subtle shifts on China raise questions about how the Trump administration aims to leverage U.S. military power in the Indo-Pacific.
