Brig. Gen. Thomas Palenske, outgoing commander of the 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, says U.S. air forces in the Western Pacific are at peak readiness, which he argues is the reason a conflict is unlikely. Speaking ahead of his May 22 departure, Palenske emphasized the base’s war footing as a strong deterrent to adversaries, noting constant training and preparedness. While only briefly naming China and North Korea, he highlighted the strategic value of Guam and candidly acknowledged the political and financial forces sustaining defense investments. Col. Charles Cooley will assume command following Palenske’s retirement. Click here to read more.

The U.S. military’s stealth advantage was recently challenged when Houthi forces in Yemen reportedly came close to shooting down a U.S. F-35 and several F-16s during Operation Rough Rider. Despite the F-35’s advanced electronic warfare and stealth capabilities, the Houthis’ growing arsenal of improvised and mobile infrared-guided air defense systems, including jury-rigged R-73 and R-27 missiles and Iranian-designed Saqr-series weapons, has proven to be a serious threat. These passive systems evade detection by traditional radar-warning receivers, reducing reaction time for pilots and complicating mission planning. The incident underscores vulnerabilities even in top-tier stealth aircraft and reflects broader shifts in aerial warfare, where passive infrared tracking, mobility, and hybrid sensor systems are emerging as critical threats. Lessons from Yemen are shaping U.S. and adversary strategies alike, with implications for future high-end conflicts and the next generation of air dominance. Click here to read more.

Vice Adm. Jeffrey Anderson, commander of U.S. 6th Fleet, warned that China’s growing investment in African infrastructure — including ports, universities, and government buildings — may come with hidden costs, as African leaders grow wary of Beijing’s influence. Speaking during the 28-nation Obangame Express exercise in Cabo Verde, Anderson emphasized that the U.S. is viewed as the preferred security partner in the region, despite reduced civilian aid programs and the temporary loss of the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams. Anderson expressed concern over China’s potential to convert commercial ports into military outposts, as it did in Djibouti, and called for continued U.S. naval presence, particularly via the USS Mount Whitney, to counter influence gaps. Click here to read more.

The U.S. Navy’s VX-30 squadron is outfitting its KC-130T Hercules aircraft with Starlink satellite communications to enhance beyond-line-of-sight data relay for missile testing over the Point Mugu Sea Range. The move highlights the growing military reliance on commercial satellite constellations like Starlink and its secure counterpart Starshield. These upgrades support testing of advanced systems, such as hypersonic missiles, and help transmit telemetry from remote Pacific test zones. While only one KC-130T has been upgraded so far, the integration underscores broader trends in military networking and SpaceX’s expanding defense footprint. Click here to read more.

The Pentagon is revamping its special operations doctrine to better align with Indo-Pacific priorities and modern threats, according to Colby Jenkins, acting assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict. Speaking at the 2025 Special Operations Forces Week in Tampa, Jenkins emphasized a shift toward more agile, cyber-capable teams and called for integrating AI and sharpening core skills without compromising SOF’s warrior ethos. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth underscored the importance of maintaining elite physical standards, while the broader strategy reflects a global posture review and evolving missions like border security and counter-cartel operations. Click here to read more.

In a massive show of force and readiness, 53 U.S. military aircraft and two Army Patriot missile batteries lined up on the runway at Kadena Air Base in Japan on May 6 for the largest and most diverse “elephant walk” in Air Force history. The display included 24 F-35As, eight F-15E Strike Eagles, six HH-60 Pave Hawks, drones, tankers, reconnaissance jets, electronic warfare aircraft, and even a submarine-hunting P-8 Poseidon. The exercise aimed to showcase joint-force interoperability and strategic deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing the message that U.S. forces are unified, capable, and mission-ready. Click here to read more.