Defense Secretary Ash Carter will use the meeting of Southeast Asian defense ministers this week to “seek to clarify” the Philippine position on joint exercises, following comments from Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte that his country may not support future joint exercises. A senior defense official said the US has received “different messages” from the Philippines about the future of joint exercises. Carter, during a speech Thursday in San Diego, said the US-Philippine defense alliance has been “ironclad,” though Duterte’s comments put the future in question. The partnership has lasted more than 60 years, and will “continue to survive” regardless of administrations, the official said. The two countries earlier this year signed an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, that includes US help in building up infrastructure. This focuses on five locations inside the country, including Basa AB where Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said USAF is helping build the base and could send future rotations there.
Alaskan Commands Gird for Threats
Aug. 9, 2022
Lt. Gen. David A. Krumm wears many hats as the commander of U.S. Northern Command's Alaskan Command, of 11th Air Force, and of North American Aerospace Defense Command's Alaskan Region. Krumm, who is set to retire, has served as the senior military leader in Alaska since April 2020. In a July interview, Krumm…