A Rebalance Strategy for Pacific Air Forces: Flight Plan to Runways and Relationships
Abstract
Even before Far East Air Forces formed on 31 July 1944, airpower had played a key role in securing America's interests in the Asia-Pacific. The nation's Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) not only sacrificed tens of thousands of lives in war and peace but also played a leading role in many major theater conflicts, supported multiple smaller-scale contingencies, and contributed to several large humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief missions. PACAF, the modem successor of the Far East Air Forces, has established itself as a permanent, reliable partner fully engaged in regional security, stability, and prosperity. Without a doubt, 7 December 1941 proved that airpower is synonymous with national security, and PACAF is the primary wielder and guarantor of its application towards strategic objectives in US Pacific Command's (USPACOM) area of responsibility (AOR). Guided by the propositions articulated in the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy, and the National Military Strategy, we recognize that preventing a war in the Asia-Pacific is paramount to being prepared to win a war in the region. 1 In light of this reality, America's Airmen in the Asia-Pacific have thought hard about their contribution to America's regional rebalance. This article presents PACAF's strategy and contribution to the US rebalance by (1) examining the enduring and emerging challenges in the region, (2) exploring the five lines of operations that PACAF's Airmen are executing to contribute to the nation's rebalance, and (3) presenting the force posture and force modernization strategy the command is undertaking.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA622513
Entities
People
- Nelson D. Rouleau
- Steven L. Basham
Organizations
- Air University