Pacific Air Forces is sending 12 F-22 Raptors and 190 airmen to train with their Australian counterparts at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal in February, marking the heaviest commitment of fifth generation US fighters in Australia to date. The exercises and training opportunities, which will focus on integrating fifth-generation capabilities in joint operations with RAAF F/A-18A/B Hornets and ground personnel, were planned under the existing Force Posture Agreement between the two nations. “This F-22 Raptor deployment represents a key milestone for US and Australian airmen as together we build a robust fifth generation fighter presence in the Indo-Asia-Pacific,” said Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, PACAF commander, according to a release. “Our steadfast relationship with Australia, deeply rooted in our common principles and shared values, stems from working together day in and day out across the full spectrum of operations and will continue to prosper as we further integrate our efforts through this initiative.”
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III chaired a China-focused military briefing Oct. 27, part of a biweekly series of briefings with senior military commanders about China’s growing threat in the wake of an orbital hypersonic weapon test that elicited public worries from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. “What we…