USAF looks at Pacific region basing options

By Michael Sirak, JDW Staff Reporter
Washington DC

The US Air Force (USAF) is developing concepts to support expanded expeditionary operations in the Pacific region following a directive in the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). The service recently presented the Office of the Secretary of Defense with a report that outlines these basing options.

Operation ‘Enduring Freedom’ has involved a build-up in the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean areas. The USAF has activated 13 bases, many of them at austere locations, in places like Bulgaria, Krygyzstan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan. Service officials say these experiences provide valuable lessons applicable to the Pacific area.

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