A SEA

ChangeBy Marc V. Schanz, Senior Editor

The US military is refocusing its attention on the threats and opportunities in South- east Asia, a region often overlooked in the last decade.

22 Magazine / July 2012 A SEA AIR FORCE Magazine Magazine FORCE AIR / July 2012 July / ing Cope Tiger 2011. 2011. Cope Tiger ing - dur Korat,, over flying while KC-135 a from fuel on takes F-15C An 23 USAF photo by MSgt. Cohen Young his past spring, a long simmering area of ten- sion flared up, approxi- mately 123 miles west of Subic Bay in the in the South China Sea.

A Philippine spotted USAF photo by MSgt. Matt Summers Chinese vessels in the disputed Scarbor- oughT Shoal, prompting the deployment of the ’s largest ship, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, a former US Coast Guard cutter. Filipino naval personnel boarded the vessel for an inspection and discovered large amounts of illegally col- lected coral, shellfish, and other marine animals. Not long after, two Chinese maritime surveillance ships positioned themselves between the Filipino ship and the Chinese, preventing arrest of the fishing crews, causing a high-level diplo- matic standoff between the two countries. Royal Malaysian Air Force Cpl. Shahzaihar Zainol, a combat air rescueman, “recov- ers” USAF Capt. Daniel Parrish during Cope Taufan, a bilateral training exercise Eventually, the Filipinos withdrew their aimed at sharing knowledge and tactics between the US and Malaysian air services. warship, and the Chinese vessels slipped away. Not long after, Chinese ships re- with the US. In early June, Secretary of Thailand, , and Japan. It was turned to the shoal and tensions remained Defense Leon E. Panetta referenced the followed by Cope Tiger 2012 in March, an as of the first week of June. the Scarborough Shoal incident during the air combat and mobility exercise featur- The incident was one of several such Shangri-La Security Dialogue in Singa- ing USAF, Thai, and Singaporean forces. skirmishes in recent years where China has pore. He said the US opposes “coercion” In early April, as tensions rose off the forcefully asserted claims in areas around in the region and urged settlement “in a coast of the Philippines, Pacific Air Forces the South China Sea, emboldened by its manner consistent with international law.” sponsored a biennial aerial exercise in increasing economic and military power. Preceding and following the Scarbor- Malaysia—Cope Taufan—featuring 67th As a result, many countries in Southeast ough confrontation, numerous multina- Fighter Squadron F-15s from Kadena Asia have quietly supported a more asser- tional US military exercises unfolded AB, Japan, flying with Royal Malaysian tive US presence in the region as a check across Southeast Asia, rarely grabbing Air Force MiG-29s, F/A-18s, and other on Beijing. While public statements from headlines beyond the region. In Thailand aircraft. PACAF also conducted subject the region’s governments are often cau- this February was 2012—a matter exchanges with the Malaysian tious, concern about China’s willingness US Pacific Command combat exercise military on topics such as force protection to bully its way through territorial disputes hosted by Thailand, involving forces from and engineering and participated in civil is pressing nations to increase their ties the US, , Malaysia, , affairs projects. And while the standoff evolved at Scarborough, the US and Phil- ippine armed forces conducted Balikatan 2012, the 28th iteration of the multiservice joint exercise, with more than 4,400 US personnel. It featured a range of combat and humanitarian response training events, including aircraft control, communica- tions, and pararescue activities. USAF photo by SSgt. ChadThompson The command chief of PACAF, CMS­­­gt. Brooke P. McLean, visited the exercise and met with many Philippine and US service members. “Having partnered nations and strong capabilities on both sides are very important,” McLean said. “The Philippines has been a treaty ally with us for many years.” The activity is deliberate, even if the timing is coincidental. McLean’s senti- ment reflects the strategic thinking now playing out in the so-called “Pacific

A-10Cs taxi at Osan AB, South Korea, on return from deployments to Balikatan in the Philippines and Thailand’s Cope Tiger in 2011. 24 AIR FORCE Magazine / July 2012 rebalancing” of US military priorities, as the US adapts to changing security dynamics. The effort in PACOM intends to safeguard and ensure the interests of allies in Asia and the Pacific. A subtle shift in US attention has great implications. The presence of US military

forces in the Asia-Pacific has long em- USN photo by Lt. Cmdr. Mark Jones C. phasized northeast Asia—South Korea and Japan—and American territory in the Pacific Ocean, most notably Hawaii and Guam. While the US continues to capital- ize on the relationships built on “hub-and-spoke” alliances with Japan and South Korea, it is moving to expand its military and security cooperation activi- ties in Southeast Asia as nations in that A US Marine Corps CH-46 passes USS Tortuga and the region worry about the growing military ship HTMS Surin during the exercise Cobra Gold in February. Some Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand see a “collective opportunity” for enhanced in- power of the People’s Republic of China. teroperability with the US and other nations in the region. A Rising China the US would maintain its presence despite Minister Julia Gillard and President America’s allies are careful in their a forecasted period of belt-tightening of Obama emphasized the new US Marine statements about the US military in Asia, defense expenditures. His first stop was, presence in the country’s north, the while also voicing their concerns about tellingly, Indonesia, where he met with military agreement will expand USAF’s the Chinese. Singapore’s Foreign Minister the Defense Ministers of the 10-member presence in the future and promises wide- Kasiviswanathan Shanmugam said during Association of Southeast Asian Nations ranging military cooperation. Australian a February speech in Washington, D.C., (ASEAN). He announced the US would officials confirm that future deployments that “the world and Asia are big enough not back away even through hard times. and rotations of aircraft may include to accommodate a rising China and a From PACOM’s perspective, ASEAN heavy bombers (B-52s) and mobility reinvigorated US,” as many nations of and its numerous forums—including its airlift (C-17s). These potentially would Southeast Asia have economic and trade annual meeting of Defense Ministers, the operate from Royal Australian Air Force ties with both countries. But, he added, East Asian Summit, and the Asia-Pacific Base Tindal, about 200 miles southeast “the US has long played a major role in Economic Cooperation initiative— “have of Darwin. the region’s stability and prosperity,” and advanced to become the most effective US forces in the region are also pur- Singapore for one had encouraged the Asia-Pacific multilateral organizations,” suing more multilateral training oppor- US to engage with Southeast Asia “long according to Adm. Robert F. Willard, then tunities, both with traditional allies and before it was fashionable.” PACOM commander. emerging partners, PACOM and PACAF As part of the rebalancing of forces Historically somewhat derided as a officials say. in the Asia-Pacific and the development “talk shop” when contrasted with alliances US relations with the Philippines, In- of concepts such as AirSea Battle, the such as NATO, ASEAN’s influence in the donesia, and Malaysia “seek to enhance Pentagon is reviving traditional ties with region has steadily grown in the last de- current bilateral cooperation [and] where longstanding allies such as Singapore, the cade—especially regarding humanitarian possible expand bilateral relations to mul- Philippines, and Australia, and expanding assistance and disaster relief operations. tilateral,” a PACOM official said, regarding contacts with emerging regional players Singapore and Indonesia, both founding the state of US military cooperation in the such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and even members of ASEAN, have actively pushed region. PACAF is steadily expanding its Vietnam. By doing so, it is expressly for the group to build closer defense ties participation in exercises such as Cope acting on the new US defense guidance, within its ranks. The US has moved to Taufan in Malaysia and Pacific Angel joint which emphasizes the “existing alliances” elevate its security cooperation with humanitarian, capacity-building exercise. in Asia and also the need to “expand our Indonesia in particular and in June 2010 Flexible and tailored partnerships— networks of cooperation with emerging announced a US-Indonesia Comprehen- from small footprint civil affairs visits to partners.” sive Partnership to expand a wide range large-force exercises—will be vital as the The “emerging partners” piece of the of joint activities, according to PACOM US builds mil-to-mil relations in South- strategy is playing a greater part in US officials. Along with the Philippines and east Asia. “Every nation has a bilateral efforts in Asia, as evidenced by senior Malaysia, Indonesia is key in not only opportunity, but multilateral processes Obama Administration officials, DOD the South China Sea, but in the Sulu and [are] critical to having interoperability statements, and visits with allies. Celebes Seas as well, officials with the and unity of effort when it is required,” Even prior to the January 2012 release command note, and building cooperation said PACAF Commander Gen. Gary L. of the Obama Administration’s updated in intelligence, surveillance, and recon- North in February. North said the nations defense strategic guidance, senior Admin- naissance sharing, disaster response, and of Southeast Asia recognize this, and as istration officials telegraphed there would air and maritime capability is of concern their defense and security budgets are be no cutbacks of investment in the Asia- to all three nations. sized for their needs, they also see a “col- Pacific. In October 2011, Panetta made his US partnership with Australia has also lective opportunity” for interdependence first trip to the region since assuming the been reinvigorated. While the November and interoperability. This is evident in top post at the Pentagon, to assure allies 2011 announcement by Australian Prime efforts such as Cope Tiger in Thailand. AIR FORCE Magazine / July 2012 25 with the US and would submit a request for more military equipment sales. The nation wants to buy another cutter and a squadron of decommissioned F-16s to build its tactical air forces. Del Rosario also said the country would discuss open- ing its military facilities for joint use with

USAF photo TSgt.by JeromeTayborn US forces. The last permanent US bases in Southeast Asia were in the Philippines and were shuttered in the early 1990s when the Air Force left Clark Air Base and the US Navy departed its base at Subic Bay. Today’s climate has even allowed for developing ties with a one-time foe, Vietnam, which has its own complicated and sometimes hostile relationship with China. (China’s People’s Liberation Itthaporn Subhawong, Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force (l), and USAF Gen. Gary North, PACAF commander, pass through the JB Army’s most recent sustained combat, Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, honor guard cordon. Itthaporn visited the base last it should be noted, was its abortive puni- September to discuss common concerns and regional cooperation. tive invasion of Vietnam in 1979.) The Vietnamese have long running territorial “Is it the way of the future?” North April in Washington. It was the first such grievances with the Chinese in the South asked rhetorically. “When diplomatic and meeting for the two nations that signed a China Sea, which they refer to in their political entities approve of multilateral mutual defense treaty in 1951. latest defense white paper as the “East [operations] in real world ... contingencies In a joint April 30 statement from the Sea.” The country is also currently mod- and ... exercises, it is advantageous to us meeting, they agreed to reaffirm their obli- ernizing its sea and air forces in light of all.” North noted the most recent iteration gations under the treaty, enhance security China’s increasingly powerful military. of Cope North was a great example of cooperation, support efforts to increase In addition to enlarging its submarine this trend. Cope North is a major aerial multilateral cooperation with ASEAN fleet with the purchase of Russian attack exercise held on Guam, traditionally with and the ASEAN defense ministerial, and subs, Vietnam also moved to acquire a the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and pledged to find ways to strengthen the dozen Su-30MKK fighters. USAF. February’s event involved the defense capabilities of the Philippines. “We are very excited about mil-to-mil Royal Australian Air Force for the first Disputes with China over the South relationships with the Vietnamese; ... this time and more than 78 aircraft partici- China Sea loomed over the document. relationship is building,” North said in pated in a range of large-force combat The statement pledged expansion of February, adding that he traveled to the exercises and simulated disaster relief joint training and exercises to increase country in 2011 on an official visit. The and humanitarian assistance scenarios. US-Philippines interoperability and to Navy has conducted several ship port calls expand joint ISR activities to “deter and and exchanges with the Vietnamese, and The Pivot in Motion respond proactively, rapidly, and seam- North noted one important area for coop- Since the rollout of the new strategy lessly to various situations in the region.” eration is exercises and in January, US defense officials have According to Philippine Foreign Affairs training. Vietnam has a lengthy coastline, pushed initiatives and partnership ac- Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, speak- and its Air Force holds the responsibility tivities with allies in the region. Several ing before the two-plus-two meeting, his for SAR operations. “There were good Southeast Asian Defense Ministers have country would like to increase contacts discussions on this,” North said. visited the Pentagon since January. The US finalized a deal to rotate littoral combat ships through Singapore and has expanded longstanding defense ties with the small nation, particularly with its Air Force. Singapore is home to the bilateral Commando Sling air combat exercise held with USAF, is one-third of the Cope

Tiger exercise, and has four Republic of USN photo by Lt. Cmdr. Mark Jones C. Singapore Air Force training detachments in the US. During his visit to Washington in April, Singapore’s Defense Minister, Ng Eng Hen, specifically cited training cooperation with USAF as a “testament indeed to the strong and close defense ties that we have.” The US has escalated security discus- sions with the Philippines, hosting a “two- plus-two” meeting between the defense Amphibious assault vehicles launched from USS Tortuga land on a beach as ord- and foreign ministers of both countries in nance from an F/A-18D Hornet explodes during a Cobra Gold live-fire exercise. 26 AIR FORCE Magazine / July 2012 Maritime security and ISR have be- come regular themes in meetings with military chiefs, according to PACOM officials, and the defense priorities of the region are evolving to reflect the reality of challenges and threats that Staff photo Schanz by MarcV. air and naval forces are designed for. Despite the region’s geography, many countries have militaries dominated by their armies, PACOM officials said, and many of these focus on internal security. While a great deal of the emphasis on security cooperation in the region has focused in the last decade on coun- tering terrorist groups, many countries have been steadily modernizing their conventional military forces, particularly their naval and air arms. In almost all cases, this modernization is driven by concerns about China’s expanding power USAF TSgt. Steven Raethel (second from left) walks to a C-17 with members of projection capabilities and the military the Royal Thai Air Force at Don Muang Airport, Thailand, this past March. Raethel served as jumpmaster on the C-17 in a large-force parachute jump exercise involv- imbalance it is creating. ing both the RTAF and during Exercise Cope Tiger 2012. Singapore-based military analyst and scholar Richard A. Bitzinger noted in a paper on ASEAN countries’ military have worked closely with airmen from ments such as the new Marine presence in modernization that almost all nations Guam’s 36th Contingency Response Australia “will be very effective,” he said. in the region now possess at least some Group to refurbish some of Thailand’s This approach has become known as fourth generation —ei- maintenance capacity lost to flooding that “places not bases”—where the Pentagon ther Russian or US variants—and have affected its mobility hub at ’s will seek visiting forces and cooperation standoff-range radar guided missiles. Don Muang Airport. agreements with allies and not to build Many Southeast Asian nations have built new facilities on par with Cold War gar- up command and control and airborne Places not Bases risons. The places-not-bases construct early warning capabilities, in large part Since there are no permanent bases in is here to stay, North said in February. to respond to the increasing power of Southeast Asia, access will remain a key “There’s no appetite to support new bases the PLA Navy and Air Force. factor in the Pentagon’s future coopera- [in the Pacific]; we must leverage partners Of course, not all US partners have tion efforts. The increase in attention and allies.” This will involve utilizing the same capabilities, and engagement to the region reflects a “strong desire existing locations to conduct activities must reflect this, officials state. “We’re to balance … forces more effectively and exercises, temporary deployments, not just talking about what we’re going into Southeast Asia and South Asia,” staging areas, and access agreements for to have to do, but [also] shaping for said then-PACOM commander Willard contingencies, and other approaches. conflict prevention,” said Lt. Col. Jeff testifying in March. Currently, all per- This is where multilateral operations Kronewitter, the Southeast Asia branch manently garrisoned forces outside of and exercising will pay off, he added. chief for security cooperation and as- Guam and Singapore are “by and large “It’s something we do as a matter of sistance programs in PACOM’s logistics in northeast Asia,” Willard noted, and practice, ... so the arrangements where shop. “You have to balance the realities there is little enthusiasm for the return we can have access or throughput in our of how those countries are built up, … of a large permanent US presence like at partner nations [will be] critical to our and it’s a very land-centric force, [even Clark and Subic Bay in the Philippines. success in the future.” though] everyone has a coastline of some The prospect of a bigger US military DOD’s new strategic guidance has sort,” he said. “Some countries are wak- footprint in the region is a touchy subject “invigorated some of those discussions,” ing up to the fact that, ‘Hey, we actually for ASEAN countries—even those with PACOM’s Kronewitter explained. For need a fairly good maritime capacity,’ ” longstanding treaties with the US—due several years, there was not much con- Kronewitter said. to the complex relationships many have sideration for basing and access in places Airborne ISR is a vital piece of this for with China. For US officials, however, such as south and Southeast Asia, mostly many nations that don’t necessarily want the permanent basing of forward forces due to DOD’s priority on securing transit to create interdiction capacity but want is a slightly semantic argument. Willard to and from US Central Command. Now, to know what’s happening on the edges said whether forces are stationed perma- the US wants “to be a bit more habitual of their territory. Some US allies in the nently or rotated is “inconsequential,” with [this] type of relationship,” and with region—such as Thailand—have fairly and what is most important is that US several countries, he said. modernized and capable militaries but forces can be ready and respond when The US is not the only interested are seeking to improve their sustainment needed. party angling for influence in the region, and maintenance practices, Kronewitter “They have to dwell there long enough several officials also noted. “It’s the said. The Thai military responded pro- to be trained and exercised and equipped Iranians sailing around, it’s the Chinese actively to the 2011 floods that ravaged and resourced, and engaging on a fairly sailing around,” said one. “It’s not just wide swaths of the country, he said, and continuous basis. To that end, deploy- us.” n AIR FORCE Magazine / July 2012 27