The United States is intensifying its efforts to fortify military bases in the Indo-Pacific region, enhancing its ability to counter the growing missile threats posed by China and North Korea. Recent reports have underscored the urgency of this initiative, focusing on the development of advanced defenses, the implementation of strategic military doctrines, and the construction of alternative facilities to ensure operational resilience and adaptability in a rapidly evolving security environment.
Indo-Pacific Defenses
This month, Defense One reported that US Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin is spearheading efforts to bolster base defense capabilities as part of the US Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) strategy. This initiative is a cornerstone of the broader approach to enhancing US military readiness in the Indo-Pacific region. The ACE strategy aims to improve the projection of combat power and increase resilience in the face of global conflict scenarios, particularly against potential adversaries like China and North Korea. This is achieved by empowering airmen, implementing mission command principles, and creating tailored force packages designed for specific operational needs.
A critical component of the ACE strategy is the establishment of resilient communications, pre-positioned equipment, and scalable logistics. The strategy is also supported by the Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) system, which enables seamless integration and coordination across different branches of the military. These elements work together to facilitate distributed operations, disrupt adversary decision-making, and ensure that US forces can operate effectively across multiple domains, even in contested environments.
A New Paradigm for Military Operations
The ACE strategy represents a significant shift in how the US Air Force approaches logistics, command structures, and operational planning. Traditional methods of relying on a few large airbases are giving way to a more flexible model that emphasizes adaptability and integration across joint forces. Defense One notes that this strategy necessitates the expansion of operational bases, reducing dependence on a few critical infrastructure points and minimizing vulnerability to concentrated attacks.
The collaboration with the US Army plays a crucial role in this strategy, particularly in developing cost-effective air defense systems suitable for smaller, dispersed outposts. General Allvin has highlighted the importance of mobility, rapid deployment, and the adoption of modernized tactics such as camouflage, concealment, and deception, all tailored to the unique challenges of 21st-century theaters of operation. These measures are designed to counter not only kinetic threats, such as missile strikes but also non-kinetic threats, including cyberattacks and electronic warfare, which are becoming increasingly prevalent in modern conflict scenarios.
Missile Threats from China and North Korea
The urgency to enhance base defenses in the Pacific is underscored by the escalating missile threats from China and North Korea. A June 2023 report by the US Congressional Research Service (CRS) highlights that US military bases in the Pacific, particularly those located west of the International Date Line, are at significant risk due to the advanced missile capabilities of these two nations. China’s development of conventional and nuclear-armed ballistic and hypersonic missiles poses a substantial risk to US forces and infrastructure in the region. These missiles, coupled with sophisticated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, provide China with the ability to accurately target US bases, especially those within the First and Second Island Chains, including key locations in Japan, South Korea, and Guam.
North Korea, too, continues to expand its missile capabilities, further exacerbating the threat to US forces in the region. The development of increasingly sophisticated missile systems by Pyongyang presents a complex challenge for US defense planners, who must account for the possibility of simultaneous threats from both China and North Korea.
Missile Defense Initiatives in Guam
In response to these growing threats, the US is taking concrete steps to bolster its missile defense capabilities, particularly on the strategically vital island of Guam. According to a recent report by Defense News, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is preparing for a critical test later this year to deploy an initial defense system designed to shield Guam from air and missile threats. Lieutenant General Heath Collins, the MDA’s director, has outlined plans to integrate a new radar system, the AN/TPY-6, into a comprehensive defense architecture to counter the rising threats from China and North Korea.
The AN/TPY-6 radar, which draws on technology from Alaska’s Long-Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR), is set to play a pivotal role in detecting and tracking incoming missile threats. The radar’s first panel is en route to Guam for a flight experiment scheduled for December, during which it will track a target launched from a C-17 aircraft. This will be followed by the launch of an SM-3 Block IIA interceptor, demonstrating the radar’s capability to support missile defense operations. This initiative is part of a broader effort to unify missile defense systems through the Joint Tactical Integrated Fire Control (JTIFC) standard, ensuring that different components of the defense architecture can operate seamlessly together.
Multi-Layered Defense Architecture
The US is also planning to implement the Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense (EIAMD) system, a multi-layered network designed to provide comprehensive protection against a range of missile threats. As reported by Asia Times in August 2023, the EIAMD system will include various components such as Aegis Ashore, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Typhon, Patriot, and Enduring Shield systems. This setup is intended to offer a 360-degree defense capability, addressing the challenges posed by advanced ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic missile threats.
One of the key features of the EIAMD system is the deployment of next-generation infrared seekers for the THAAD system, which will enhance its sensing and guidance capabilities. By integrating these advanced technologies into a cohesive defense network, the US aims to significantly improve its ability to detect, track, and intercept missile threats before they can reach their targets.
Building Alternative Facilities
In addition to enhancing missile defenses, the US is also investing in the construction of alternative facilities to ensure the resilience and sustainability of its military operations in the Pacific. Asia Times reported in June 2022 that the US has embarked on a major construction project on Tinian, an island in the Northern Mariana Islands, to establish a backup facility for its naval and air operations currently based in Guam. This strategic initiative, with a budget of $162 million, includes the development of a new aircraft taxiway and parking apron at Tinian International Airport, which is expected to be completed by October 2025.
The construction of these alternative facilities is a key component of the broader strategy to enhance regional deterrence capabilities. By diversifying its operational footprint, the US can reduce the risk of its forces being incapacitated by a concentrated missile attack. In April 2024, Defense News reported that the US Air Force had awarded a $409 million contract to Fluor, a Texas-based engineering and construction firm, to develop these planned facilities. The project, expected to be completed within five years, aligns with the US Indo-Pacific Command’s objectives to strengthen the resilience of its military infrastructure.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite these proactive measures, the US faces significant challenges in implementing its defense and infrastructure initiatives in the Indo-Pacific. Defense One notes that the undertaking of such large-scale projects is often hampered by high costs and bureaucratic hurdles, particularly in remote Pacific island locations. Moreover, the ACE strategy, while innovative, faces potential vulnerabilities in the face of rapid technological advancements by adversaries.
In a July 2024 article published in Proceedings, military analyst Michael Blaser highlighted some of these challenges. He pointed out that advancements in enemy artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies could enable adversaries to quickly analyze data from space-based sensors. This capability could outpace the US Air Force’s ability to relocate aircraft and thus undermine the effectiveness of the ACE strategy. Blaser noted that the ACE strategy operates on the assumption that adversaries, particularly China, cannot disrupt multiple locations simultaneously with long-range missile strikes. However, China’s People’s Liberation Army-Rocket Force (PLA-RF) possesses a vast missile arsenal capable of targeting multiple US military installations in the Pacific. Additionally, an AI-assisted kill chain could significantly accelerate the targeting process, posing a serious threat to US forces’ ability to operate effectively.
Mitigating Technological Threats
To counter these emerging technological threats, Blaser recommends that the US Air Force adopt advanced deception techniques, such as using camouflage, concealment, and decoy aircraft, to delay enemy targeting. These measures could help mitigate the risks posed by adversaries’ rapid data analysis and decision-making capabilities. By employing such tactics, the US can enhance the survivability of its forces and maintain the element of surprise in contested environments.
The multifaceted approach to base defense in the Indo-Pacific underscores the complexity of the security environment in the region. As China and North Korea continue to develop and deploy advanced missile technologies, the US must adapt its strategies and capabilities to stay ahead of these threats. The combination of enhancing missile defense systems, building alternative facilities, and implementing innovative operational doctrines such as the ACE strategy represents a comprehensive effort to safeguard US interests and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The US is taking decisive steps to fortify its military bases in the Indo-Pacific, recognizing the growing missile threats from China and North Korea as a significant challenge to regional stability. Through the implementation of the ACE strategy, the development of advanced missile defense systems, and the construction of alternative facilities, the US is enhancing its ability to project power and defend its interests in this critical region.
While challenges remain, particularly in countering emerging technological threats, the US is committed to maintaining its strategic advantage and ensuring the security of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. As the security landscape continues to evolve, the US will need to remain vigilant and adaptable, leveraging its technological capabilities and operational expertise to stay ahead of potential adversaries.
