US strengthens military base near Guam island

Speaking to reporters at an event hosted by the Air Force and Space Force Association on September 11, US Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kenneth Wilsbach confirmed that they are clearing forests on Tinian, a small island about 180 km north of Guam, to build new airfields.

Tinian was the largest US B-29 bomber base during World War II. Meanwhile, Guam, about 3,000 km from China, is the closest US military base to China.

The US is planning to build new airports on the island of Guam. Photo: US Navy

To achieve this goal, the US Air Force has requested additional funding from the 2024 budget proposal.

“The new bases will be part of a network of hubs across Asia. Each new airfield can be operational in an attack or a crisis,” General Wilsbach added.

The Pentagon is expanding its presence in the Asia- Pacific region. Acknowledging that China's military has made great strides in recent decades, General Wilsbach said the US must enhance its combat advantages, strengthen its alliances... and shape the information environment to keep up.

"We want to continue to develop our warfighting capabilities with the primary goal of deterring conflict in the Indo-Pacific. But if that deterrence fails, we need to be ready to be able to win. So the way we do that is to modernize our forces," Wilsbach stressed.

Pham Nghia

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thoi-su-quoc-te/my-cung-co-can-cu-quan-su-tren-dao-tinian-20230913133445958.htm