As the Chinese military builds its capacity and capability with large investments, the United States should take care to preserve its technological edge, said Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander. “I think we’re a bit naïve looking at them in the short term,” said North during Wednesday’s four-star forum at AFA’s Air & Space Conference just outside of Washington, D.C. The Chinese military is increasing the quality and quantity of its forces and closing the technological gap with nations like the United States. “That’s why we have to keep a technological edge, because we do not have a quantity edge that we had years ago,” said North.
An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the Texas Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Wing crashed during a training mission in Michigan on Sept. 17. The fighter's sole pilot ejected and is in stable condition at a local hospital.
