New in 2017: PACAF focused on readiness in an 'increasingly complex' theater

Airmen in the Asia-Pacific region must be ready to respond at a moment’s notice, according to the head of Pacific Air Forces.


Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy said his top priority is fielding a forward deployed, ready force that is prepared when the next crisis hits. The Pacific has changed dramatically in 2016 and will continue to do so in 2017, creating a need for more air superiority.



“From increasing Chinese assertiveness and Russian long-range bomber flights to North Korean provocation, this theater is becoming increasingly complex,” the PACAF commander said.



Every action is related in the Pacific, he said, and actions in one part of the region can have serious ramifications with allies in different parts of the region. For example, China conducting frequent long-range aviation sorties in the Philippine Sea sparks alert launches from Japan; and North Korea testing new ballistic missile capabilities prompts a heightened alert stance from South Korea, O’Shaughnessy said.



One way to get ahead of emerging threats is through fifth-generation fighters, he said.



“Though we will continue to modernize our F-22 fleet, bringing the F-35 to the Pacific will ensure our overmatch against potential adversaries,” he said.

Allies and partners will play a big role in complementing the Air Force’s air power in the Pacific, he added.




“Australia is already flying the F-35, and in late September, I had the honor to take part in the rollout of Japan’s first F-35 aircraft in Fort Worth [Texas],” he said. “The Republic of Korea will get its first F-35s in 2018.”



Nearer to home, O’Shaughnessy said PACAF will base two F-35 squadrons at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, which will allow the command to quickly deploy forces in the Pacific.



“Combined with the F-22s already operating from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam [in Hawaii], [it] will double our fifth-generation fighter aircraft presence in theater,” he said.




Charlsy Panzino covers the Guard and Reserve, training, technology, operations and features for Army Times and Air Force Times. Email her at [login to see] .