We can never have too many bases in the Pacific

Editor’s Note: This piece by J.M. Phelps is based on conversation with CSP Senior Fellow Grant Newsham

Satellite imagery recently revealed the construction of a new military facility in the Pacific. The facility, on the tiny island of Tinian, could serve as a backup site for U.S. operations should Andersen Air Force Base in Guam find itself in the crosshairs of natural disaster or incapacitated by an adversary’s attack.

According to retired U.S. Marine Colonel Grant Newsham, who became the first Marine Liaison Officer to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during his career, “it is helpful to have another airfield near Guam where U.S. aircraft can operate – for exercises, operations, or emergencies.”

Newsham tells American Family News that construction of Tinian airfield should also be viewed from a regional perspective. Considering the vast area of the Pacific, he says, “the U.S. military can never have too many locations from which to operate.”

“[In addition,] there is a huge political and psychological aspect to U.S. base-building and access efforts,” he explains. “It shows U.S. commitment to the region” – which he contends is important for allies as well as Beijing to see.

Not only would the airfield help facilitate movements and operations, the retired Marine Corps officer points out “it also allows for dispersal of one’s forces and supply and logistics facilities.” Presently, he points out, “the U.S. military relies on a relative handful of large bases in Japan, Guam, South Korea, Hawaii, and Australia to support its operations in the Asia-Pacific.”

Newsham indicates that the heightened potential for any one of these locations to be targeted – and taken out of action – by the Chinese is a legitimate threat to U.S. military operations in the region. “We can’t operate without airfields, ports, and fuel and other supplies,” he warns.

He finds it unfortunate that over the last 30-plus years, the U.S. military has neglected to maintain and/or develop a necessary basing or access infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region. “[Sadly, the U.S.] has allowed the existing infrastructure and access to shrivel up,” he adds.

Simply put, Newsham argues that “[the U.S. took its] position in the Pacific for granted – and consciously refused to recognize the oncoming threat from the People’s Republic China” … and as a result, he says, “now, the Americans are scrambling.”

Regardless, he views the construction of a new military facility in the Pacific as “a favorable move” – and suggests the U.S needs to move fast and take advantage of every opportunity to develop similar locations in the Pacific.

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