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Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
New Satellite Image Shows U.S. Air Force Buildup at Key Indian Ocean Base
A new satellite image showed a buildup of U.S. Air Force assets at Diego Garcia, a strategic American base in the Indian Ocean. The development comes as tensions are high across the Middle East and Indo-Pacific after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) for comment. Diego Garcia serves as a critical forward base for U.S. military operations stretching from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. Its remote location and extensive airfield make it a key launching point for long-range strike missions and rapid-response deployments. The deployments at the base suggest a readiness for further military action in the region. The new satellite image revealed a U.S. aircraft presence at Diego Garcia that includes four B-52 strategic bombers, six F-15 fighter jets, and six KC-135 aerial refueling tankers, according to open-intelligence analyst MT Anderson on X, formerly known as Twitter. Diego Garcia's remote location-about 2,200 miles from Iran and 3,000 from southern China-provides a secure launch point for U.S. aircraft to conduct long-range missions and remain on station. Significant movement of military equipment at the air base had been taking place since March with experts believing it could be a staging point for any attack on Iran. In May, the U.S. Air Force announced that B-2 Spirit bombers had returned to Missouri after a deployment to Diego Garcia. On June 13, the U.S. launched a surprise overnight strike on three key Iranian nuclear facilities using B-2 stealth bombers that took off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. The overnight mission relied on deception, aerial refueling, and near-total radio silence to maintain secrecy and tactical surprise. Decoy flights toward the Pacific diverted attention from the actual eastward strike. Codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer, seven B-2 bombers dropped over a dozen 30,000-pound bunker busters on deeply buried nuclear sites., making it the most ambitious U.S. stealth airstrike in decades. The bombers had also been used in striking Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen. Air Marshall Greg Bagwell, former Royal Air Force deputy operations chief told BBC Verify in June: "You would be able to maintain a sustained operation from [Diego Garcia] far more efficiently. You could literally have them round the clock operating." Diego Garcia's assets remain well-positioned to respond swiftly should tensions in the Middle East or Indo-Pacific escalate, as a ceasefire between Israel and Iran remains fragile and U.S.-Iran diplomatic negotiations are stalled in post-conflict tensions. Related Articles Defense Department Worker Charged with Stealing Top-Secret DocumentsB-2 Strikes on Iran Expose Limits of Elon Musk's 'Drone Swarms'Photos Show US Air Force Training for Pacific WarIs Donald Trump Considering Tactical Nukes Against Iran? What We Know 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Stages Air Combat Drills With Allies Amid North Korea Threat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States and its two treaty allies in Northeast Asia—Japan and South Korea—conducted a war game on Wednesday amid North Korea's threats. North Korea has previously denounced the U.S.-led alliance for rehearsing war through joint drills, accusing it of practicing "preemptive attacks" on its nuclear weapons facilities. Newsweek has reached out to the North Korean Embassy in China for comment by email. Why It Matters The U.S. and its allies—both of which host American forces—have conducted military exercises around the Korean Peninsula, including an aerial drill involving conventionally armed bombers in January and a naval war game featuring an aircraft carrier in March. Nuclear-armed North Korea has threatened to use force against Japan and South Korea. The latest trilateral drill follows a statement by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), revealing that Pyongyang has begun work on a new facility at its main nuclear complex. What To Know The U.S. Air Force and its Japanese and South Korean counterparts took part in "defensive counter-air training" on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The exercise aimed to refine the combined tactics, techniques, and procedures of the allied air forces. The drill took place over waters off South Korea's southern Jeju Island and featured a total of eight fighter jets: four U.S. F-16s, two Japanese F-2s, and two South Korean F-15Ks. This training also marks the second trilateral flight this year, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command added, continuing what it called "long-standing defense cooperation" among the allies and providing their ability to respond immediately to unspecified regional security challenges. "These trilateral exercises reinforce our strong and continually developing relationship, building our collective capability," stated the Hawaii-based U.S. combatant command. In South Korea, Yonhap News Agency reported that this was the first trilateral air exercise conducted since Lee Jae Myung was sworn in as the country's president earlier this month. The South Korean air force vowed to continue conducting trilateral war games to enhance cooperation among the three allied nations in deterring North Korea, according to the report. Regarding the exercise, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force stated that it enhanced the air force's tactical skills and strengthened cooperation among the three air forces. A United States Air Force F-16 fighter jet takes off for a trilateral defensive counter-air training at Osan Air Base in South Korea on June 18, 2025. A United States Air Force F-16 fighter jet takes off for a trilateral defensive counter-air training at Osan Air Base in South Korea on June 18, 2025. Senior Airman Rome Bowermaster/U.S. Air Force While this trilateral aerial war game did not feature advanced F-35 fighter jets, all three countries operate this type of stealth combat aircraft across the platform's three variants. What People Are Saying The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement on Wednesday: "Our increasing shared experience fosters trust, strengthens cooperation, and reinforces the collective commitment to maintaining security and stability in the Indo-Pacific." The South Korean Air Force said in a statement on Wednesday: "The drills were conducted to bolster South Korea-U.S.-Japan security cooperation to deter North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats and maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region." The Japan Air Self-Defense Force said in a press release on Wednesday: "The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) conducted a trilateral training exercise with the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of Japan-U.S. Alliance, and to further enhance trilateral security cooperation among Japan, the U.S., and the Republic of Korea." The Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea. What Happens Next The U.S. and its Northeast Asian allies are likely to conduct further joint military exercises as North Korea continues to advance its military power, both nuclear and conventional.
Cedar News
17-06-2025
- General
- Cedar News
U.S. Forces Korea Raises Force Protection Level Across Indo-Pacific
U.S. Forces Korea: 'All installations across U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility have raised their Force Protection Condition (FPCON) level from Alpha to Bravo as a precautionary measure.'
Ammon
17-06-2025
- General
- Ammon
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command raises their Force Protection Condition
Ammon News - All installations across U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility have raised their Force Protection Condition (FPCON) level from Alpha to Bravo as a precautionary measure. In a post on X platform, the command said that this adjustment is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our personnel, families, and mission capabilities. "While there is no specific threat to the region at this time, this change reflects a general increase in vigilance in alignment with Department of Defense security protocols. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as necessary," it added. — U.S. Forces Korea (@USForcesKorea) June 17, 2025
Miami Herald
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Ally Keeps American Missiles at Choke Point Near China
The Philippines, a mutual defense treaty ally of the United States, said that an American missile system capable of sinking warships will remain in the country for training purposes. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command for comment via email. The Chinese defense and foreign ministries did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, or NMESIS, is a ground-based launcher equipped with two missiles designed to target enemy ships. It is part of the U.S. Marine Corps' maritime strategy in the Pacific, where China is expanding its naval presence. The American anti-ship missile system was first deployed to the Philippines in late April for Exercise Balikatan 2025 and remained in the country for Exercise KAMANDAG 9 in late May. It participated in the drills from the Philippines' Batanes Islands in the Luzon Strait. The waterway located north of the Philippines serves as a key gateway through the First Island Chain for China's naval deployments into the broader Pacific. The island defense line, comprising Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines, is designed to keep China's navy in check. Captain John Percie Alcos, spokesperson for the Philippine Navy, said on Tuesday that the NMESIS remains in the country, where it will be used to train the Philippine Marine Corps. He declined to disclose the location of the U.S. missile system, citing operational security. The announcement comes after a pair of Chinese aircraft carriers, the CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong,transited near the Philippines for deployments beyond the First Island Chain. Without naming a specific country, the official said that the presence of the NMESIS, capable of striking targets over 115 miles away, serves as a deterrent to those who intend to conduct "illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions" against the Philippines. The Philippines has territorial disputes with China over maritime features in the South China Sea, often resulting in confrontations and clashes between their naval forces. Washington has reaffirmed its security commitment to Manila under a 1951 mutual defense treaty. The NMESIS became the second U.S. missile system stationed in the Philippines following joint exercises. A U.S. Army Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system has remained in the Southeast Asian country "indefinitely" after participating in a drill in April last year. Captain John Percie Alcos, spokesperson for the Philippine Navy, at a press briefing on Tuesday: "The NMESIS will remain here in our country for as long as training opportunities are still there for us, for us to use that particular military equipment so that our Marines can better conduct combined operations with their counterparts." The U.S. Third Marine Division, in a press release in April: "The NMESIS provides [the U.S. Third Marine Littoral Regiment] with enhanced sea denial capability, deepens naval integration, and strengthens deterrence by extending the Joint Force's ability to target and engage from both land and sea. In the Philippines, the NMESIS will also aid in shaping defensive capabilities in accordance with the [the Armed Forces of the Philippines]'s coastal defense strategy." It remains to be seen whether the Philippines will consider acquiring the NMESIS to counter threats posed by the Chinese navy, the world's largest by hull count. The U.S. has been equipping its Pacific allies and partners with various types of anti-ship missile systems. Related Articles Video Shows Chinese 'Militia' Ship Near US Ally's Disputed TerritoryFootage Shows Chinese Ships Near US Ally's Disputed Island BaseVideo Shows US Ally Confronting China in Contested WatersUS Ally Sends Strong Warning to China 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
