| Submit your comments on this article |
| China-Japan-Koreas |
| 6 Pacific Air Bases The US Is Quietly Building Up To Back Up Andersen AFB |
| 2026-08-20 |
| [Smart News] Andersen Air Force Base on Guam is the most important fully sovereign US Air Force base in the Eastern Pacific. However, it exists in a much broader context that includes important US bases in Japan and South Korea as well as bases in the Philippines and Australia. In the event of a conflict, some of these bases might not be available, as a country like South Korea could declare its neutrality. Another issue is that Andersen is a very obvious target that could be knocked out, even temporarily. For aircraft to land and continue to operate, there need to be backup airbases in the region. There are other airports on Guam, most obviously the dual-use Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport ( Guam International Airport) as well as Claasson-Apra Regional Airfield and Northwest Field (being upgraded), which would be of use. Here are six airbases the US is building as backups to Andersen outside of Guam. Palau is interesting as it is an independent country and a member of the United Nations, although it is rarely listed among the US's regional allies like Japan and South Korea. Palau is also an interesting case as it occupies a sort of middle ground between a fully sovereign state and a state with a level of autonomy a step or two above US territories (like Guam). In 1994, the Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the United States entered into force, under which the US is responsible for Palau's defense and has exclusive military operating rights in its land, air, and waters. The US had previously administered Palau since 1947 under the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Trust Territory). One benefit of Palau is that it is further south than Guam, making it more complicated for Chinese targeting. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #2 |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2026-08-20 11:06 |
| #1 |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2026-08-20 07:04 |