Pivot to the pacific continues, Subic Bay will reopen.

The large base "Subic Bay" will reolen after it was closed in the 1990s.
www.spacewar.com...

It looks like an alliance as I predicted with Japan and Korea as well.
www.spacewar.com...

"...Last year, Manila signed an agreement giving its defence ally the United States more access to Filipino military facilities, as part of plans by the poorly equipped Filipino forces to attain a deterrent capability.

However this deal, under which US forces could potentially have regained use of Subic Bay, has been postponed amid a legal challenge now being heard by the Supreme Court."

The case before the court...is it Philippine's or U.S. Supreme COURT???

a reply to: fshrrex

Clarke AFB is also on that table my dad was the CO in 1949.

www.businessinsider.com...

a reply to: cavtrooper7

www.businessinsider.com...

The U.S. had a falling out with the island nation in the early nineties and pulled out of the bases, which were then built-up by a series of private developers and builders. How useful wihat's left is a matter of debate, but the locations used to be major centers of operation for American forces in the Pacific.

Clark Air Base and its military reservation are 244 square miles of land that played a vital role for the U.S. during the Vietnam war and is capable of hosting the largest of America's military aircraft.

Subic Bay played an even greater role in U.S. operations and until the withdrawal in 1991 it was the largest American overseas military base in the world. The waters at Subic Bay should have no problem hosting U.S. submarines and the largest of naval ships.

I don't think USA will go up against China now or down the road...they are our new Evil Empire and they serve a better boogieman to validate Military building/spending...and we fir them. Too much money to be made.

a reply to: fshrrex

EXACTLY and I await the next HAWK to be elected to pursue that agenda, THAT is how America gets an economy anyway.

With only 273 deployable ships (versus 594 when it was closed) what would the USN put there? What ever it ends up being it certainly won't need NEAR the space.

The current US treaties in the region are:

ANZUS Treaty - An attack on any member requires action to meet the common threat.
Members - United States , Australia, New Zealand

Philippine Treaty - An attack on any member requires action to meet the common threat.
Members- United States, Philippines

South East Asia Treaty - An attack on any member requires action to meet the common threat.(SEATO was created based on this treaty although the treaty remains SEATO is no more)
Members - United States , Australia, France, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand, and the United Kingdom

Japanese Treaty - An attack on any member requires action to meet the common threat.
Members - United States, Japan

Republic of Korea Treaty - An attack on any member requires action to meet the common threat.
Members - United States, Republic of Korea

US/Taiwan - while no formal treaty exists the US has been Taiwan long time ally of the books.

The UK has the Five Power Defence Arrangements - Between United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore.

The UK also has close dense ties with Brunei.

The other grouping in the area is ASEAN - . Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Of the ASEAN states 3 are military allies of the US, 2 are military allies of the UK, 3 others are working for closer military ties with the US/Japan/India

Which brings us to the newest power grouping in the Pacific - The United States, Japan, India Trilateral. Although no formal treaty exist between the three they have been working closely to contain China and have signed a series of defense agreements. The three powers are also working together to support and arm the Philippines, Mymar and Vietnam (which had visits from the US, Japan, and India defense officials literally back to back.

It would not be unlikely to see a new Pacific version of NATO form if China continues to be aggressive in the South China Sea where confront anyone with force but, the US. It is pretty clear the US policy is to unite all the powers of the Pacific region so that they present such a huge problem that China will not entertain any ideas about military expansion. China's own actions and clumsy diplomatic skills have forced old enemies into a common bond.

It should also be noted that NATO has cooperation agreements with Japan, Australia, Philippines and South Korea which is why in the latest US/South Korean naval exercise a Turkish warship joined in.

Frankly it is amazing and testament to Japans, India's and the US diplomatic skills to have formed a united coalition out of states that have long histories of rivalries and long traditions of holding grudges.

A newer TV commercial from the USN featured animated graphics zooming in and out over a world map....centered right over the South China Sea.

I don't make stuff up.

a reply to: FlyingFox

www.telegraph.co.uk...

US Navy prepared to ramp up Pacific presence to deter China

Adm Swift said his 200-vessel US Pacific Fleet, by far the world’s strongest, “was ready and prepared to respond to any contingency that the president may suggest would be necessary.”

His remarks to reporters in Manila came a month after President Barack Obama called for an end to China's “aggressive actions” in the South China Sea,

Adm Swift said the US recognised the growing tensions and remained deeply committed to its role as security anchor, adding he was “very satisfied” with his resources, which total some 200 ships and submarines, nearly 1,100 aircraft and more than 140,000 sailors and civilians.

Admiral Swift said more of Freedom-Class ships, which are armed with torpedoes, missiles and Seahawk helicopters, could be deployed in the region if necessary.

a reply to: cavtrooper7

www.telegraph.co.uk...

In recent decades China has rapidly increased its military spending and constructed a maritime missile defence system that has challenged US ability to enforce its will in the region.

The US currently has the USS Fort Worth stationed in Singapore, one of four 3,500-ton coastal combat ships that are tasked with keeping watch on the South China Sea and other areas, and has plans to acquire 52 more of the ultra-modern craft for use around the world.


Looks like the dove/Obama has started the 21st century version of Reaganomics.

originally posted by: fshrrex
a reply to: cavtrooper7

www.telegraph.co.uk...

In recent decades China has rapidly increased its military spending and constructed a maritime missile defence system that has challenged US ability to enforce its will in the region.

The US currently has the USS Fort Worth stationed in Singapore, one of four 3,500-ton coastal combat ships that are tasked with keeping watch on the South China Sea and other areas, and has plans to acquire 52 more of the ultra-modern craft for use around the world.


Looks like the dove/Obama has started the 21st century version of Reaganomics.

To secure peace you must prepare for war. Just as during the Iran nuclear negotiations it was leaked to the media that the US was stockpiling bunker buster bombs. The Pacific is the same way. The US will remain engaged with China while at the same time building a powerful coalition to counter China is the need ever comes. China has no interest in challenging the US but, it does want to challenge everybody else in the region. If the US were wash its hands of the situation and walk away we would see a massive arms race start in the region. Not to mention the rise of several new nuclear powers. So the best way to avoid war in Asia is make the other Pacific states feel secure with US backing and make a unified coalition that is simply to powerful for China to challenge and win.

a reply to: MrSpad

I understand the concept of being the biggest gun at a knive fight. And I recognize the necessity of maintaining that perception.

All wars are ECONOMIC in origin.

One if by land...2x if by sea.

Let the shipyards in America bloom again.