Concerns over a U.S. Confrontation or War in the Pacific with China

13 June 2023

Dear Readership,

Recently a few friends from Arizona contacted me about some suspicious movement in and around Davis-Mothan AFB, near Tucson, Arizona.  They are very observant folks and wish not to be identified.  They are quite aware of their surroundings and environment. 

Here is what they have discovered:  Did you hear anything about the US refurbishing airplanes from an air force base in Tucson, AZ?  Possible deployment to the Philippines and Europe at some point.  Preparation for war?

My response to them follows:

I have not read anything specifically about what you are asking nor do I have inside information as I have been retired for 34 years.  But, it wouldn’t surprise me and would follow procedures.  Tucson, AZ, Davis-Mothan AFB, where I have been to, is just the place for this to happen.  It has been done before from the “boneyard” at that base.  See below for official description of D-M AFB and its missions.* 

Logistically and strategically, the USA has deep challenges and problems if a war with China over Taiwan or for any other reason breaks out.  Distances are great.  We have but a few bases in the Pacific, but many smaller installations, probably 30 to 40 that can be used for forward basing and resupply. Dispersal of ground assets is that doctrine by war and logistics disciplines in their planning.

Restoring and overhauling aircraft from David-Mothan AFB would be advisable for many reasons, but logistical resupply of weaponry, ammunition, and other materiel using airlift is the most foreseen mission in my opinion.  Fighter, bomber, and specialized aircraft restoration in view of our technologically advanced present inventory would only be needed as a backup as there would be a pilot and crew shortage and they would be a more vulnerable in actual wartime scenario.  One exception would be converting C-130 cargo aircraft to AC-130 Spector Gunships.  There are about 30 of these powerful offensive platforms in existence in our current inventory.   Its primary missions are close air support of ground forces, air interdiction or attacking land based targets, and armed reconnaissance. **”The U model is an upgraded version of the H and is equipped with side firing, trainable 25 mm, 40 mm, and 105 mm guns.” 

Other resources are also available in our modern inventory of weaponry in the venues of the US Army and US Navy.

It would be a tough theater of operations, but Americans shouldn’t worry.

*“Davis–Monthan Air Force Base is a key ACC installation. The 355th Wing (355 WG) provides A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support and OA-10 forward air controllers to ground forces worldwide. The 355 WG is the host unit, providing medical, logistical, mission and operational support to assigned units. The 355 WG is the sole formal training unit for the A-10 aircraft, providing initial and recurrent training to all U.S. Air Force A-10 and OA-10 pilots, to include those in the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and the Air National Guard (ANG). The 355th is ACC’s executive agent for INF and START treaty compliance. In October 2018, the 563rd Rescue Group, previously a geographically separated unit of the 23rd Wing at Moody AFB, Georgia, was transferred to the 355th Wing, along with its HC-130J COMBAT KING II and HH-60G Pave Hawk aircraft.

One of the wing’s tenant units, the 55th Electronic Combat Group (55 ECG), is a geographically separated unit (GSU) of the 55th Wing (55 WG) at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Tasked to provide offensive counter-information and electronic attack capabilities in support of U.S. and Coalition tactical air, surface, and special operations forces, the 55 ECG unit employs its Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call aircraft worldwide in tactical air operations in war and other contingencies. It also provides initial and recurrent training to all EC-130H Compass Call pilots, navigators, electronic warfare officers, and aircrew.

Two other major tenant units are assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC). The 943rd Rescue Group (structured as a GSU under AFRC’s 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Space Force Base is equipped with HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and Guardian Angel personnel. The 943 RQG is tasked to provide combat search and rescue (CSAR) and personnel recovery (PR) support worldwide. The 924th Fighter Group, originally a classic associate unt to the 355 FW, now 355 WG, flies the A-10 Thunderbolt II and is now equipped with its own aircraft.

Perhaps the most prominent tenant is the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309 AMARG) of the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). As the main location for the 309 AMARG, Davis–Monthan AFB is the sole aircraft boneyard for excess military and U.S. government aircraft and other aerospace vehicles such as ballistic missiles. Tucson’s dry climate and alkali soil make it an ideal location to store and preserve aircraft; more than 4,000 military aircraft are parked on the base.^[2]”

*Taken from Wikipedia also for up-to-date information.

It would be a tough theater of operations, but Americans shouldn’t worry.  Deterrence Theory has worked since 1949 to keep peace on planet Earth, and it should no doubt continue.

Regards,

James M. Hoover, CACM
Captain, USAF (Ret)