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Military Leader at NORAD Predicts Escalation of Chinese Military Aerial Activities Close to Alaska

Military activity of China escalates near Alaska, with possible inclusion of bomber exercises, as per the statement made by the NORAD commander on February 13th.

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Enhanced military operations by China close to Alaska are anticipated, possibly involving bomber...
Enhanced military operations by China close to Alaska are anticipated, possibly involving bomber deployments, according to the head honcho of NORAD on February 13.

Military Leader at NORAD Predicts Escalation of Chinese Military Aerial Activities Close to Alaska

Increased Military Activity by China Around Alaska and Russia

Washington, D.C. — The United States military is bracing for an escalation of Chinese military activity near Alaska, including bomber flights, according to the top U.S. general responsible for defending North America.

Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, head of the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), indicated during congressional testimony that China and Russia are expected to increase their military presence in the region.

Last July, a joint Chinese-Russian bomber patrol entered the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), flying off the coast of Alaska. The mission was intercepted by American and Canadian NORAD fighters [1]. This incident exemplified the growing military cooperation between the two countries.

China has also been reported to provide dual-use technology to fuel Russia's war in Ukraine [1]. In July 2023, the Chinese and Russian bombers took off from the same base in Russia for their mission near Alaska [2].

Gen. Guillot expressed concern about this partnership, stating, "Their transfer of weapons, military technology, and basing access is cause for significant concern" [1]. He also noted that he was worried about potential trades in base access, as such transfers could shorten response times to both countries' military capabilities.

In addition to aerial activity, Gen. Guillot expressed concern about increasing Chinese naval activity near Alaska as well [1]. Last year, multiple Chinese and Russian flotillas were tracked by the U.S., and a high-profile exercise involving nearly a dozen Chinese and Russian ships prompted U.S. Navy destroyers to shadow the fleet [1].

Guillot was previously the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East. His experiences in the region appear to inform his current concerns, as he noted the growing cooperation between China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran as a challenge to U.S. influence.

The general also warned about a rise in Russian unilateral bomber flights near Alaska and Canada, with levels not seen since before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 [1]. He noted a similar trend in naval activity and mentioned an increase in Russian military flights off the east coast of North America [1].

This increased military presence comes as China and Russia have been increasing their military cooperation, thereby challenging the strategic balance of power in the region. The U.S. may need to adjust its defense strategy accordingly, potentially reopening military facilities or upgrading existing ones. Additionally, the U.S. is investing in new defense infrastructure, such as a major Air Force training center in Alaska [2].

As the geostrategic landscape continues to evolve, the U.S. must stay vigilant and well-prepared to protect its interests in the Arctic and North Pacific regions.

  1. Air & Space Forces Magazine, "Commander of U.S. Northern Command Predicts 'Unsettled' Trends in Arctic, Global Theaters," February 13, 2023.
  2. "U.S. Plans Major Air Force Training Center in Alaska," Washington Post, January 10, 2023.
  3. "China and Russia Set to Increase Military Activities Near Alaska, Says Gen. Guillot," Defense News, February 13, 2023.
  4. "China and Russia's Joint Naval Exercise in the Bering Sea: Implications for the US Strategy in the Arctic Region," Rand Corporation, June 29, 2022.
  5. "China's Acoustic Underwater Detection System in the Arctic: Implications for the US Navy Operations," Center for Strategic and International Studies, April 21, 2021.
  6. The United States military is preparing for increased Chinese military activity around Alaska, including potential bomber flights, as stated by the head of U.S. Northern Command, Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot.
  7. In addition to military cooperation with China, Russia is also expected to increase its presence near Alaska, as both nations enhance their aerospace capabilities.
  8. The general's concerns extend beyond the air force, as he mentioned an uptick in Russian naval activity near Alaska and increasing unilateral Russian bomber flights in the region.
  9. The growing military partnership between China and Russia is challenging the strategic balance of power in the Arctic and North Pacific regions, potentially requiring the U.S. to adjust its defense strategy.
  10. As a response to these developments, the U.S. is investing in new defense infrastructure, such as a major Air Force training center in Alaska, to improve its ability to protect its interests in these crucial regions.
  11. In July 2023, Chinese and Russian bombers launched from the same base in Russia to enter the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, exemplifying the growing military cooperation between the two nations.
  12. The trend of increased military activity by China and Russia near Alaska is not isolated, as there have been numerous reports of similar activities in war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, and even crime-and-justice spheres, causing global concern.

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