China may overpower US military bases as Biden lacks urgency: House committee chair
The new chairman of the House China Committee, John Moolenaar, has expressed serious concerns about the lack of urgency from the Biden administration to implement defensive measures to protect American military bases in the Indo-Pacific region against potential attacks from China.
Moolenaar emphasized that China poses a significant threat to American military bases in the Indo-Pacific, including those located on U.S. territories like Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. He pointed out that China’s current strike capabilities could overwhelm U.S. air and missile defenses, potentially immobilizing vital air assets, disrupting logistical chains, and weakening the ability to respond effectively in a conflict.
According to Moolenaar, recent information indicates that the Department of Defense has not shown enough urgency in adopting defensive measures to address these vulnerabilities. He highlighted the lack of hardened aircraft shelters on U.S. bases compared to Chinese military bases and raised concerns about regulations delaying construction projects to enhance the resilience of American forces against Chinese attacks.
Moolenaar, along with several congressional colleagues, including Senator Marco Rubio and other representatives, sent a letter urging military leaders to make immediate changes to enhance the security of U.S. bases in the region. They emphasized the vulnerability of U.S. bases and air assets to Chinese strikes, citing recent war games that showed a high percentage of aircraft losses occurring on the ground.
Moolenaar advocated for the implementation of passive defenses, such as hardened aircraft shelters and underground bunkers, as a cost-effective way to improve the security of U.S. bases. He called for increased efforts to minimize the damage of missile attacks and enhance the ability to recover quickly and continue operations effectively.
Emphasizing the significant disparity between the number of hardened aircraft shelters in China and the United States, Moolenaar demanded information from Pentagon officials on steps taken to enhance passive defenses, plans for creating hardened shelters and bunkers, and whether additional funding would be requested for base resilience construction projects.
The spotlight on Guam as a region requiring additional attention is underscored by its strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region, hosting key military installations like Naval Base Guam and Anderson Air Force Base. With Guam being within range of nuclear-capable missiles from China and North Korea, the need to enhance defenses and protect U.S. forces in the region is critical.
Moolenaar’s urgent call for action highlights the pressing need to address vulnerabilities and strengthen defenses to safeguard American military bases and assets in the Indo-Pacific against potential threats from China. With bipartisan support from congressional colleagues, the focus is on ensuring the readiness and resilience of U.S. forces in the face of evolving security challenges in the region.
