China shows off on first day of Singapore Air Show

China shows off on first day of Singapore Air Show
China shows off on first day of Singapore Air Show

China has displayed its Z-10ME, the first time the aircraft has appeared at a show outside China. Looking similar to the US Apache attack helicopter, it was displayed with rocket launchers, GR5 guided rockets and air-to-air missiles. 

Russia, PRC Intercept US Aircraft ‘Multiple Times A Day’ In Pacific: PacAF

Russia, PRC Intercept US Aircraft ‘Multiple Times A Day’ In Pacific: PacAF
Russia, PRC Intercept US Aircraft ‘Multiple Times A Day’ In Pacific: PacAF

The head of Pacific Air Force said he had no objections to India buying Russia’s S-400 system “in the current environment.” But — and this is a big but — he said India’s action “will perhaps affect a future purchase by India, if they were interested in purchasing other defense equipment from us. But that’s out of my lane, and I don’t really talk about that, because it’s tomorrow stuff.”

Likely CSAF Brown Expected To Keep Sharp All Domain Focus

Likely CSAF Brown Expected To Keep Sharp All Domain Focus
Likely CSAF Brown Expected To Keep Sharp All Domain Focus

WASHINGTON: The nominee to replace outgoing Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein, Gen. Charles Brown, is expected to continue to be a strong advocate for Goldfein’s vision of all domain command and control to link all sensors to all shooters across the military services. Brown currently is in charge of Pacific air forces.…

Chinese Pilots ‘Safe & Professional’ – For Now: PACAF

Chinese Pilots ‘Safe & Professional’ – For Now: PACAF
Chinese Pilots ‘Safe & Professional’ – For Now: PACAF

But while the skies are quiet today, US Pacific Air Forces are preparing for possible conflict: fielding new weapons like the F-35 stealth fighter and the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), adding more space-operations planners to theater staffs, and reemphasizing that old-fashioned initiative so junior commanders can act when an enemy cuts off their communications with higher headquarters.

Historic Shift? Air Force General May Lead Pacific Command

Historic Shift? Air Force General May Lead Pacific Command
Historic Shift? Air Force General May Lead Pacific Command

WASHINGTON: In what would be a remarkable break in US military tradition, an Air Force general has emerged as the top candidate to lead Pacific Command. Sweeping from India to the west, north to Russia, south to Antarctica and east to the California and Mexican coasts, Pacific Command is just what it says: the military…

Carter Calls For ‘Immediate & Complete Halt’ To South China Sea Island Building

Carter Calls For ‘Immediate & Complete Halt’ To South China Sea Island Building
Carter Calls For ‘Immediate & Complete Halt’ To South China Sea Island Building

Updated with Pacific Air Forces comment AFA CONFERENCE: Just as the White House confirmed Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit at the end of this month, Defense Secretary Ash Carter issued a clear call for “an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by all claimants” in the South China Sea. China, of course, has done the vast majority of the…

China, Russia Boost Pacific Airpower: PACAF Commander Robinson

China, Russia Boost Pacific Airpower: PACAF Commander Robinson
China, Russia Boost Pacific Airpower: PACAF Commander Robinson

AFA CONFERENCE: China’s increasing assertiveness and modernizing military are “concerning,” even “disconcerting,” the head of the US Air Force in the Pacific said today. But there are still strong prospects for military-to-military ties, Gen. Lori Robinson told the Air Force Association conference here this morning. Increased Russian patrols complicates US strategy more, Gen. Robinson told me…

Pacific Needs Better Allied, US Air-Missile Integration: PACAF Gen. Carlisle

Pacific Needs Better Allied, US Air-Missile Integration: PACAF Gen. Carlisle
Pacific Needs Better Allied, US Air-Missile Integration: PACAF Gen. Carlisle

 After a week of discussions with Pacific Air Forces staff, Robbin Laird sat down in Hawaii with Hawk Carlisle, their commander. The conversation took place just after the North Koreans had fired missiles into South Korean waters during an allied exercise for the defense of South Korea. Laird, a member of our Board of Contributors, is…

The Reshaping of Pacific Defense: Interview With PacAF Gen. Hawk Carlisle

The Reshaping of Pacific Defense: Interview With PacAF Gen. Hawk Carlisle
The Reshaping of Pacific Defense: Interview With PacAF Gen. Hawk Carlisle

We interviewed Gen. Hawk Carlisle, the commander of Pacific Air Forces, at the Air Force Association’s Pacific Forum in Los Angeles, about the challenges facing the U.S. and its allies in shaping a 21st century Pacific defense strategy. The general emphasized the central role engaging our allies is playing for the Air Force in the Pacific. “The chief…