Adm. William Fallon says China is “sitting on the largest cash hoard in the world,” and Beijing aims to use it to continue purchasing weapons and developing systems, “like this anti-satellite shot,” that’s “clearly designed to counter our capabilities.” However, the head of US Pacific Command told House Armed Services Committee members last week that China “has a long way to go,” so it’s not “particularly threatening right now.” Fallon, who is going to take over US Central Command, endorses continued military-to-military exchanges, particularly at the mid-level officer level because they are the “up and coming decision-makers in the future.” Fallon noted that in his own follow-on visits, he had gotten to see more and “engage in more useful and realistic dialogue.”
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…