Page 54 - Maritime Services and the Kill Web

The Maritime Services, the Allies and Shaping the Kill Web

The Second Line of Defense expresses its gratitude to; 1 st Lt Francheska Soto, Outreach Officer & Sgt Paris
Capers, Mass Communication Specialist, I Marine Expeditionary Force (1 st MEF); 1 st Lt. Maida Zheng, Public
Affairs Officer, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit; the entire 15 th MEU; and the trainers and support team at the
MCAGCC.

From Red Flag to the Real World: Marine Corps F-35Bs Integrated with
USAF Strategic Bombers in Deterrent Deployment

It is difficult to miss the ramping up of tensions caused by North Korean missile launches and nuclear progress.

We have argued for some time that the command structure for US forces in Korea should be given to the
USAF for it is an ADA, USAF, and USN capability team which can make a difference.

We are not about to replay 1953.

We have also argued that fifth generation aircraft are not replacement aircraft but part of shaping the way
ahead to craft a war winning force for high intensity warfare.

And we have also documented over the past few years, the Marines arriving first in the next round of fifth
generation development with their F-35Bs.

We have also argued that the USAF needs to ramp up its buy rate and get on with near term deployments to
RAF Lakenheath in Europe and in Japan in the Pacific.

For now, the Marines are providing the key F-35 capabilities.

And the US has deployed F-35Bs with strategic bombers to South Korea.

According to an article by CDR David Bentham, US Pacific Command, in an article published on August 31,
2017:

The United States’ newest and most advanced fighter, the U.S. Marine Corps’ F-35B Lightning II, joined U.S. Air
Force B-1B Lancers for the first time in a sequenced bilateral mission with Japan and Republic of Korea air forces
in Northeast Asia August 30.
Two B-1Bs from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; four U.S. Marine F-35Bs from Marine Corps Air Station
Iwakuni, Japan; two Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) F-15Js; and four Republic of Korea Air Force
(ROKAF) F-15Ks executed this mission to emphasize the combined ironclad commitment to the defense of Allies
and the U.S. homeland. Enhancing combined military readiness through integrated missions ensures national
leaders of viable and ready military options.

This mission was conducted in direct response to North Korea’s intermediate-range ballistic missile launch, which
flew directly over northern Japan on August 28 amid rising tension over North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic
missile development programs.
“North Korea’s actions are a threat to our allies, partners and homeland, and their destabilizing actions will be
met accordingly,” said Gen. Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy, Commander, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, who just returned
from an unscheduled visit to Japan to meet with his counterparts. “This complex mission clearly demonstrates our
solidarity with our allies and underscores the broadening cooperation to defend against this common regional
threat. Our forward-deployed force will be the first to the fight, ready to deliver a lethal response at a moment’s
notice if our nation calls.”

Second Line of Defense

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