US in talks to base long-range bombers in Australia

[mike2000 is back]

US in talks to base long-range bombers in Australia
By Agence France-Presse -
March 11, 2016

B-1 Bomber

Washington is in talks to station its strike bombers in Australia, according to a US general, amid concern about China’s military expansion in the South China Sea.

General Lori Robinson, commander of US Pacific Air Forces, said negotiations were under way to have American B-1 bombers and aerial tankers temporarily stationed in northern Australia.

“We’re in the process of talking about rotational forces, bombers and tankers out of Australia and it gives us the opportunity to train with Australia,” she said according to national radio aired Wednesday.

“It gives us the opportunity to strengthen the ties we already have with the Royal Australian Air Force and it gives the opportunity to train our pilots to understand the theatre and how important it is to strengthen our ties with our great allies, the RAAF.”

The US has been pursuing a foreign policy “pivot” towards Asia, which has rattled China, and already stations Marines in Australia’s north.

Beijing said it was “concerned” by reports of the US-Australia talks.

“To seek peace, cooperation and development is an important trend in the region and what all people aspire for,” said Hong Lei, a spokesman from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Relevant cooperation among countries should serve the purpose of safeguarding regional peace and stability.

“Such cooperation should not target the interests of a third party”.

Last May, Assistant Defense Secretary for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs David Shear raised the prospect of B-1 bombers in Australia when he appeared before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

But his comments were played down by Australia’s then prime minister Tony Abbott, who said Shear had “misspoken”.

Current Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would not be drawn on the specifics of the discussions when asked about the bombers.

“Well, we have rotation of American military forces through Darwin and through Australia all the time,” he said Wednesday. “So we have a very, very close defence relationship with the US.

“I’m not going to comment on a particular element of that, but I can just assure you that everything we do is in this area is very carefully determined to ensure that our respective military forces work together as closely as possible in our mutual national interests.”

Beijing claims almost the whole of the South China Sea, through which a third of the world’s oil passes, and tensions have been rising as it asserts its territorial claims.

A US official last month said Beijing had deployed surface-to-air missiles on Woody Island in the disputed Paracels chain. Reports also surfaced recently of probable radar installations on reefs in the nearby Spratly islands.

Washington has in recent months sent warships to sail within 12 nautical miles — the usual territorial limit around natural land — of a disputed island and reef transformed into an artificial island.

Robinson said the United States would continue to fly above and sail through the disputed waterway and encouraged “anybody in the region and around the world” to follow suit to assert freedom of navigation.



US In Talks To Base Long-range Bombers In Australia | At DefenceTalk

I love this bomber. Wish our airforce had a few of these beasts. Reminds me of our now defunct Vulcan bombers.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Meanwhile...........

B-2 Stealth Bombers conduct deployment to Indo-Asia-Pacific
By Air Force News Agency -
March 11, 2016

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bobbie Garcia)

Three B-2 Spirits deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, to the U.S. Pacific Command area of operations March 8.

While in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, the B-2s will integrate and conduct training with ally and partner air forces, and conduct a radio communications check with a U.S. air operations center.

This deployment will ensure bomber crews maintain a high state of readiness and crew proficiency, and will provide opportunities to integrate capabilities with key regional partners.

“These flights ensure we remain ready to deter strategic attack, now and into the future, and are one of the many ways the U.S. demonstrates its commitment to security and stability across the globe,” said Adm. Cecil D. Haney, U.S. Strategic Command commander. “Additionally, these efforts provide invaluable opportunities to build relationships and interoperability between the U.S. and ally and partner forces.”

“Strategic bomber deployments ensure our ability to project power at a time and place of our choosing and develop strong interoperability with our regional allies and partners,” said Gen. Lori J. Robinson, Pacific Air Forces commander. “Recent events demonstrate the continued need to provide consistent and credible air power throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Our ability to demonstrate credible combat power while training and interoperating with our network of like-minded partner nations is vitally important.”

A US air-force B-2

U.S. Strategic Command routinely demonstrates its capability to command, control and conduct global bomber missions, most recently by deploying B-52 Stratofortresses into the U.S. European Command area of responsibility earlier this month.

USSTRATCOM bombers regularly rotate through the Indo-Asia-Pacific to conduct USPACOM-led air operations, providing leaders with deterrent options to maintain regional stability.

One of nine Defense Department unified combatant commands, USSTRATCOM has global strategic missions, assigned through the Unified Command Plan, which include strategic deterrence; space operations; cyberspace operations; joint electronic warfare; global strike; missile defense; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; combating weapons of mass destruction; and analysis and targeting.



Read more: B-2 Stealth Bombers Conduct Deployment To Indo-Asia-Pacific | At DefenceTalk

 

[Nattmara]

B-1B + LRASM =

This is my all-time favorite B-1B photo:

Serious firepower

 

[Dalit]

I guess they come in peace... I wonder why a country is so desperate to have so many bases and stations around the world.

 

[Kiss_of_the_Dragon]

What is big deal about that?? crisis = opportunity, Australia still uncharted maritime territory for PLAAF, if we park H6 in one of our islands in SCS and with fly refuelling, we can definitely pay a courtesy visit to Australia, we can show to our Australian friends how obsoleted our H6 which represent not threat to Australia, we come in peace.

 

[xunzi]

Non news. We come in peace and we continue to support our American friends wish of FON operation according to international law, and this include our own FON.

 

[mike2000 is back]

B-1B + LRASM =

This is my all-time favorite B-1B photo:

Serious firepower

I love the B-2 more. Its a stealth bomber that incorporates technology/capabilities that will take decades for any country to even come close to producing one. Even the U.K/FRANCE who I think are the only countries who are anywhere near producing such a stealth intercontinental bomber still need at least a decade or two to start operating one.

BAE TERANIS

FRANCE'S NEURON

JOINT ANGLO-FRENCH Stealth UCAV bomber.

What is big deal about that?? crisis = opportunity, Australia still uncharted maritime territory for PLAAF, if we park H6 in one of our islands in SCS and with fly refuelling, we can definitely pay a courtesy visit to Australia, we can show to our Australian friends how obsoleted our H6 which represent not threat to Australia, we come in peace.

You want to 'teach Australia a lesson' because they allow U.S forces ON THEIR SOIL?
As far as I know Australia has been a U.S/western ally for almost a century. Why should Australia strengthening its alliance with the U.S/west atract hostility from China?
Its not like Australia said you were their enemy. So calm down bros. they are just securing their interests in the region just like China.