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 six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
