TO FIGHT BEIJING, US COMMANDERS WANT MORE F-35S AND F-22S CLOSE TO CHINA
Stavros Atlamazoglou | July 6, 2022
In preparation for a conflict in the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. military is considering repositioning the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets closer to China.
In a recent chat at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, Admiral John C. Aquilino, the commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) expressed his desire to see fifth-generation fighter jets stationed closer to China.
F-35s and F-22s close to China
The commander of the most important combatant command said that the constant presence of F-35 and F-22 in the area of operations is crucial in “deliver[ring] deterrence” and that a “forward stationed, persistent, deep-penetrating capability” is what he wants to counter current or future Chinese aggression in the region.
Aquilino also said that he wants that fifth-generation capability to be expeditionary. And in many ways, it already has. F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightning IIs have been deploying to the Indo-Pacific quite regularly in Agile Combat Employment (ACE) drills.
https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/to-fight-beijing-us-commanders-want-more-f-35s-and-f-22s-close-to-china/
