The US B-1B strategic bomber was deployed at Japan’s Misawa Air Base for the first time, accompanied by F-16 and F-35 fighter jets flying over the Korean Peninsula, showcasing significant deterrence power! Simultaneously, retired four-star General Abrams visited Taiwan to serve as an advisor for the Han Kuang exercises, while former Japanese Chief of Staff General Iwasaki also visited Taiwan in an advisory role. The rapid escalation of military cooperation among the US, Japan, and Taiwan, shaping the Indo-Pacific security architecture, has drawn considerable attention to the situation in the Taiwan Strait! The video reveals the exceptional performance of the B-1B, behind-the-scenes stories of the Han Kuang exercises, and the new framework for joint Taiwan-US-Japan responses to regional challenges. Watch now to understand the latest developments in international military affairs!
Recently, the United States dispatched B-1B strategic bombers to Japan for the first time. These bombers, originally assigned to the US 28th Bomb Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas, flew to Japan’s northeastern region at Misawa Air Base on April 15th from the United States. Prior to arriving in Japan, they had just completed a training mission in South Korea alongside South Korean fighter jets. Subsequently, these B-1B bombers flew over the Korean Peninsula with escort from US Air Force F-16 fighter jets and South Korean Air Force F-35 fighter jets, including Ulsan Air Base, before reaching Misawa Air Base in Japan.
While this marks the first deployment of B-1B strategic bombers in Japan by the United States, it is not the first time B-1B aircraft have landed in Japan. For instance, in February of this year, US B-1B bombers landed at Misawa for refueling. This process entails landing the aircraft and keeping the engines running during refueling.
The US Air Force has two important air bases in Japan, namely Misawa Air Base in the northeastern region and Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. The 18th Fighter Squadron, equipped with F-15 fighter jets and E-3 early warning aircraft, is stationed at Kadena primarily to counter the threat posed by China. On the other hand, the 35th Fighter Squadron, equipped with F-16 fighter jets, is based at Misawa Air Base in Japan, originally tasked with defense against Russia and the Soviet Union in northern Japan. Misawa Air Base is relatively distant from the Taiwan Strait, serving as a transit point for the US Air Force. Fighter jets flying from Alaska direction can stop at Misawa for refueling or maintenance as it is roughly 2000 kilometers from Shanghai, a mere two-hour flight for the aircraft.
The concept of the US Bomber Task Force was adopted in 2018. Prior to this, the US Air Force rotated various bomber units for overseas deployments. Currently, select bomber units deploy overseas for shorter periods, such as weeks or months, allowing aircrew members to familiarize themselves with local war zones. In the Indo-Pacific theater, the pre-positioned locations for the US Bomber Task Force include Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, RAAF Base Amberley in Australia, and Diego Garcia Air Force Base in the Indian Ocean.
The B-1B bomber is a heavy strategic bomber in the US Air Force, known for its long-range and high-speed capabilities. Originally designed during the Cold War to counter the Soviet Union, it has undergone continuous upgrades. The B-1B exhibits two significant features: first, supersonic flight capability with speeds reaching up to Mach 1.2, attributed to its variable sweep wing design. The wing angle can be adjusted based on flight conditions, with a larger sweep angle for increased lift and reduced speed during takeoff and landing, and a narrower sweep angle at supersonic speeds. This design reduces wing drag by lowering the wing’s effective Mach number, consequently decreasing aerodynamic drag.
The second major feature of the B-1B is its ability for low-altitude, high-speed penetration, allowing it to fly close to the ground at heights difficult for enemy radars to detect, particularly effective against modern air defense systems.
Moreover, the B-1B boasts a large payload capacity, capable of carrying over 34 tons of various bombs, including Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), glide bombs, and advanced missiles. In modern warfare, the B-1B is no longer just a platform for nuclear strikes but rather a versatile, high-efficiency conventional strike tool. Its deployment to Japan significantly enhances regional deterrence capabilities.
The US not only deployed B-1B bombers to Japan but also recently sent retired four-star General Abrams to participate as the Chief of Staff’s Chief Advisor in Taiwan’s Han Kuang exercises. The ongoing Han Kuang Exercise 40 has entered a 14-day computerized war game phase.
During military exercises in Taiwan in February, US Indo-Pacific Command’s Deputy Joint Operations Commander Major General Bashar appeared at meetings in the defense sector. Retired four-star General Robert Abrams, visiting Taiwan, is a heavyweight figure with an illustrious military background and vast combat experience. His involvement in Taiwan’s war gaming exercises is a rare occurrence, underscoring increased US support for Taiwan’s defense.
Furthermore, military exchanges between Taiwan and Japan are deepening. In March, former Japanese Chief of Staff General Iwasaki, now serving as a political advisor to Taiwan’s Executive Yuan, was invited. Similar to the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Japanese Chief of Staff is the highest-ranking officer in the Self-Defense Forces of Japan. Iwasaki, an Air Force veteran, previously commanded the 201 Squadron flying Japan’s state-of-the-art F-15J fighter jets. He later served as commander of the 2nd Air Wing and Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Although Iwasaki serves as a personal advisor in Taiwan, the presence of such a high-ranking officer indicates Japan’s official stance.
Taking these developments into account, whether it be the US deploying B-1B strategic bombers to Misawa Air Base, retired General Abrams joining Taiwan for the Han Kuang exercises, or Japanese General Iwasaki serving as an advisor in Taiwan, it signifies one thing: the Taiwan Strait’s security situation is rapidly intensifying, and Taiwan is gradually integrating into the US-led Indo-Pacific security framework.
For Taiwan, the US deployment of B-1B bombers at Misawa Air Base in Japan is akin to adding a readily deployable “protection charm” within the First Island Chain, aiming to familiarize the Air Force with Asia-Pacific war zones better and to signal to Beijing that the US is ready to swiftly intervene if necessary.
General Abrams’ presence in Taiwan as an advisor speaks volumes due to his extensive combat experience, having commanded troops in various conflicts such as Desert Storm and the Iraq War. This high-ranking general’s involvement in war games in Taiwan is exceptional, demonstrating increased US support for Taiwan’s defense.
Moreover, Taiwan-Japan interactions are deepening. The appointment of the former Japanese Chief of Staff General Iwasaki, a high-ranking military officer, as a political advisor in Taiwan would have been unimaginable in the past. Japan has shown significant shifts in its defense posture in recent years, developing new weapons like large warships and long-range missiles, paving the way for more defense cooperation between Taiwan and Japan in the future.
In preparation for any potential conflict and not seeking war but being prepared for it, as the international landscape grows increasingly complex, the national military must continue to strengthen its defense capabilities and forge closer cooperation with allies like the US and Japan to maintain peace.
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