US to send B-1 bombers, surveillance aircraft to Australia amid S. China Sea dispute

[denem]

Last edited Thu May 14, 2015, 09:59 PM - Edit history (4)

Source: RT News

The US plans to station B-1 bombers and surveillance aircraft in Australia amid rising tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea. The US is also expanding its capabilities in other parts of the region.

In addition to moving Marine and Army units around the region, Washington will be “placing additional Air Force assets in Australia as well, including B-1 bombers and surveillance aircraft,” the US Defense Department's Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, David Shear, said during testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) on Wednesday, as quoted by Foreign Policy.

The notion of sending bombers to Australia is not an entirely new idea; it was floated in 2013 by the then-commander of the Pacific Air Forces, Gen. Herbert 'Hawk' Carlisle, though it never transpired.

Shear stated that US military movements will also be taking place in other countries in the region, including the “deployment of Global Hawks and F-35s in Japan.” He also said that Washington will be adding to the stock of V-22s in the country.

Read more: http://rt.com/usa/258713-b1-bombers-china-dispute/

---

Who needs the TPP to screw Australia's economy? Madness.

Update: US says official misspoke. Yeah Right. And the TTP is just peachy? The 'official' was some clueless underling right? Ah no.

"During testimony before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, US Defence Department Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs David Shear announced that in addition to the movement of US Marine and Army units around the Western Pacific region, "we will be placing additional Air Force assets in Australia as well, including B-1 bombers and surveillance aircraft."

Maybe Australia's truly hopeless Tory govt grew half an inch of spine.

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/us-official-misspoke-on-b1-bombers-being-based-in-australia-kevin-andrews-20150515-gh28ox.html

[TexasProgresive]

1. They're actually going to deploy the flying torch (B-1)

I have as much faith in the B-1 as the F-35.

[denem]

4. Yeah. I can't believe the DoD would even consider setting up anothe B1 base.

The operating costs of those custom hangers should have nixed it. I mean it is so expesive, requiring all those specialist technitions, they only ever built one, in Tampa.

[hack89]

9. B1 bombers are routinely based overseas

they do not need special hangers. You are thinking of B2 bombers - they are based in Missouri. The Air Force also has B2 hangers in Guam and England.

[denem]

11. Oh. My mistake.

Thankyou. I could not think of anthing more provactive than moving those billion dollar bombers closer to China. "I feel better now".

[NuclearDem]

14. I think you're thinking of the wrong aircraft.

This is the Bone:



This is the B-2:

[Blue_Tires]

15. Lovely

B1-B is a thing of beauty...That other aircraft looks like a UFO...

[arcane1]

2. Defenseless Australia can't stand up for themselves?

[denem]

3. Ha. What a stupid rhing to say.

Do the words Pine Gap mean anything to you. Of couse not. Nodody is going to think about invading Australia.

[arcane1]

7. What a stupid way to reply.

I guess it went right over your head

PS: It's spelled "thing", genius.

[denem]

10. You forget the sarcasm tag ...

Send in the marines. Oh thats right, they are already based in Australia. Sorry.

[ColesCountyDem]

5. We're not worried about the Aussies. n/t

[denem]

6. You can say that again.

China is Australia's biggest trading partner.

[arcane1]

8. Thanks. You get it. n/t

[denem]

12. Sometimes I forget this is DU.

Once in a while Aussie comdians like to come over to the states because LA ppl will point to Australia when asked where Iran is on a map of the world.

[left-of-center2012]

13. Doubtful

"LA ppl will point to Australia when asked where Iran is on a map of the world."

Having lived in L.A. I know we had a zillion tourists from Australia.