US Military Expanding Pacific Footprint To Face China

WEDNESDAY PDB – Air Force expanding number of bases in Pacific over next decade. But the exact number depends on how much money the service gets in the future.

Air Force and Army collaborate on air defense that's smaller and cheaper for the Indo-Pacific. The Department of Defense and the armed services are focused and cooperating like never before on the logistical challenges of operating in the Pacific—exemplified by how the Army and Air Force are working together on air-defense.

MEANWHILE – US given OK to enforce maritime law around Palau. The agreement gives Coast Guard ships authorization to unilaterally enforce maritime regulations in the Pacific island nation's exclusive economic zone.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here's a roundup of today's other top defense stories from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

Not the President's Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL'S DAILY BRIEFING – the PDB:

HURRICANE IDALIA

5,500 Guard troops called up in Florida as military bases brace for Hurricane Idalia. The National Guard was called up in Florida on Tuesday and the military was moving ships and planes, as well as ordering evacuations — to prepare for the impact of Hurricane Idalia, a powerful and historic storm bearing down on the state.

NATIONAL SECURITY

Rare video shows American Paul Whelan inside Russian prison. U.S. efforts to free the jailed Marine veteran remain at an impasse.

CHINA THREAT

US can't rely on military prowess alone to counter China in Asia, despite partnership with Japan, South Korea. Recognizing that traditional, highly centralized military alliances like NATO might not be the best fit today, the US has turned to ‘minilateral' security arrangements. However, in countering China, Washington's ‘integrated deterrence' strategy has three weaknesses.

RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR

US to send $250 million in weapons to Ukraine. The weapons will be drawn from existing U.S. stockpiles.

Air attack kills 2 in Kyiv while Russia accuses Ukraine of biggest drone attack of the war. Russia accused Ukraine of launching what appeared to be the biggest nighttime drone attack on Russian soil since the war began. Russia also hit Kyiv during the night with what Ukrainian officials called a “massive, combined attack” that killed two people.

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 553. Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was buried in a cemetery in the northeast of his hometown of St Petersburg after a private funeral. The mercenary group's logistics chief Valery Chekalov was also buried in the northern city.

US, allies seek long-term aid for Ukraine to show West's resolve. The pledges have been made, but weapons shortages and domestic political pressures are hampering the Western efforts.

NORTH KOREA THREAT

US deploys B-1B bombers for separate drills with South Korea, Japan. The U.S. separately deployed B-1B bombers for joint drills with South Korea and Japan on Wednesday, as the three allies have stepped up responses to threats from North Korea.

North Korean leader calls for military to be prepared against invasion. Its leader, Kim Jong Un, made the remarks as the U.S., South Korea and Japan hold a trilateral naval exercise.

US Space Force looks to boost allied tracking of North Korea missiles. The U.S. and South Korean militaries want to more closely integrate their systems for tracking North Korean missile launches, an effort that may soon see more cooperation with Japan as well.

IRAN THREAT

Watch Iranian speedboats monitor US warship. Iran released footage of an exchange in the Persian Gulf and Marines hit a drone refueling milestone.

Saudi Arabia takes command of 2 maritime task forces, months after detente with Iran. Both task forces are meant to boost security in the region, and one specifically patrols a key waterway that's been the site of what the US called Iranian maritime aggression.

SPACE THREAT

Space Force tries out a ‘unique' approach for developing new tactics. Every military service is constantly developing and tweaking tactics. But for the Space Force, the process by which the young service develops and approves them will shape the USSF for years to come.

Atlas V rocket launch of Space Force's ‘watchdog' satellite Silent Barker delayed due to storm. The United Launch Alliance (ULA) will launch the upcoming multi-payload Silent Barker mission, also designated as NROL-107 on the behalf of the Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

HOMELAND SECURITY

Proud Boys leader convicted of seditious conspiracy for role in Jan. 6 attack faces sentencing. The requested sentence would be the longest yet in connection with the attack.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Netherlands doubles order of MQ-9 Reaper drones, plans to arm them. It will receive four additional MQ-9 Reaper drones that will carry guided bombs and missiles.

Celebrations in Gabon after military officers announce seizure of power. They appeared on national television on Wednesday to declare they were seizing power, prompting celebrations and reports of gunfire on the streets of the capital.

BIDEN'S AFGHAN DISASTER

I will not relent: Gold Star families, House lawmakers search for answers about deadly Afghanistan withdrawal. Family members of the 13 service members who died in the final days of the U.S. war in Afghanistan gathered Tuesday on Capitol Hill to support Republican-led efforts to investigate the military's chaotic withdrawal from the country.

Hunted by the Taliban, ignored by Washington–an Afghan's fate after helping US forces. Ahmad Jawed wonders which will come first, approval for a U.S. visa or his capture. “If they recognize me, they will kill me.”

US MILITARY 

The Navy should build non-nuclear submarines. Allied and adversarial navies are building air-independent submarines that can remain on submerged patrol for long periods.'

VETERANS

3M agrees to pay $6B to settle earplug lawsuits. The agreement announced by the Minnesota company on Tuesday marks a resolution to one of the largest mass torts in U.S. history.

This is horrible: Homeless veterans are being buried in paupers' graves near Fort Moore. Columbus has long been a home to veterans of the military with Fort Moore, formerly Fort Benning, having been a part of the area for over 100 years.

END of PDB

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

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