The US, for the first time in 19 years, will hold massive air war games to simulate and prepare for an air-to-air conflict with China in the Indo-Pacific region. China’s aggression has forced the US to back down first, canceling planned exercises with Taiwan. Instead, the US Air Force will simulate a US-China conflict in air-to-air combat over US territory.
The Great Geostrategic Value of the Indo-Pacific region
This news is perhaps the biggest indication of China’s increased power, which particularly worries American interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
The US Navy is moving into the region and conducting exercises with countries such as the Philippines and Japan. So far it has been held back from conducting joint exercises with Taiwan, an island nation that is China’s number one target.
The US government has shown its support for the island nation as Chinese forces continue to conduct large-scale exercises, threatening the country indirectly and directly. On the other hand, despite American support, even the United States itself has not yet officially recognized Taiwan as an independent state.
Today, Taiwan is the 11th largest trading partner with the US, while the Asian nation has the 22nd largest economy in the world. It monopolizes many chip markets, yet “on paper” it does not exist as a country.
Experts believe that without a strong and continuous American presence, Taipei is exposed to a possible Chinese invasion.
Beijing, for its part, considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists that the island must be united with the mainland, even if it has to force it. The Taiwanese government denies China’s claims, believing that only the people of the island can choose their future.
New US Conflict Simulation with China
The US Air Force brings to life a well-known war game, the pilot competition called William Tell. The contest in question became famous during the Cold War era, but it has been 19 years since it took place.
According to the US Air Force, these war games will focus on a military competition in the Indo-Pacific region, essentially trying to simulate a possible US-China conflict through air-to-air combat and air defense.
The air war games are scheduled for September 11-15 at Savannah Air National Guard Base in Georgia.
After the ground battles it fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US Air Force seems to want to practice its air combat skills. Units of the F-35 Lightning II, F-22 Raptor and F-15 Eagle fighters will compete head-to-head in scenarios of simulated aerial combat, weapons loading, equipment maintenance, etc.
