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RNZ News
3 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Massive US-led military exercise underway in CNMI
The DC Air National Guard squadron's F-16s arrived at Hickam for a quick pitstop before heading out in support of the REFORPAC exercise. Photo: Facebook / U.S. Pacific Air Forces The Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) will be front and center of the Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC) 2025 as the US Air Force launched its most expansive military exercise in the region last week. The Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs official Edward Camacho said nearly 300 aircraft and over 600 troops will conduct military exercise in about 25 locations on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota and their surrounding airspace during exercise set from 7 July to 8 August. The special assistant for military affairs to the CNMI governor Arnold Palacios said that Saipan military exercises started on 7 July, followed by Tinian and Rota's on 8 and 9 July 8, respectively. The Saipan exercises will be happening until 8 August, with both Tinian and Rota's concluding at the end of July. Relaying a message from the Pacific Air Forces deputy commander, he said the goal of the exercise "is to integrate and experiment with logistics, sustainment, and enabling capability to bring Fifth Generation Fighters, command and control aircraft, and airlift and air refueling into the Western Pacific region at the speed and scale that has not been seen." US Pacific Air Forces, multinational, and joint partners will conduct exercise Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC) 10 July - 8 August 2025, across several locations throughout the Pacific as part of the Department of the Air Force's Department-Level Exercise (DLE) series. Photo: Palacios welcomed the US military and forces from allied and partner nations as they commence REFORPAC 2025. "The US Armed Forces and our esteemed international partners who are gathering in our region for vital military presence underscores a shared commitment to regional security, stability, and humanitarian cooperation," he said. Palacios said REFORPAC will go a long way in strengthening the alliance between the US and its allies. A C-17 Globemaster III touched down at Misawa Air Base in support of Exercise REFORPAC 2025, offloading a HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, cargo, and personnel to enable combat search and rescue operations. Photo: Facebook / Misawa Air Base The Air Force will deploy over 500 Airmen on Saipan with two C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, four Black Hawk medium utility helicopters; approximately 115 Airmen on Tinian and six F-22 Raptor stealth fighter aircraft; and 25 personnel and two C-130 Hercules transport aircraft on Rota. Camacho said the Air Force assured stakeholders they will toe the line when it comes to mitigation processes to ensure the military exercise is not disruptive to the islands' ecosystems and way of life. He said REFORPAC is vital to the United States and the region's security "because it showcases our air power and then it also showcases our ability to work with other countries as far as operational interoperability capabilities and as well as communications and maneuvering." Asked to comment on a request made by four CNMI and Guam groups to have a 45-day extension on the comment period for the Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), Camacho said that it is not his decision to make. The Revised DEIS' current 75-day review window for public comments on the Mariana Islands Training and Testing and CNMI Joint Military Training proposals began 6 June 6 and is scheduled to close on 20 August. "I don't have any problem with an extension of the 45 days. Unfortunately, others might, and the others that might have that issue are beyond my level to make that decision."
India.com
09-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Bad news for China as US deploys F-35 fighter jets in Philippines to…
Home News Bad news for China as US deploys F-35 fighter jets in Philippines to… Bad news for China as US deploys F-35 fighter jets in Philippines to… The United States has for the first time deployed its 5th-generation F-35 stealth fighter at the Clark Air Base in Philippines, a move that could further raise US-China tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. (File) US-China tensions: In a significant development which could escalate US-China tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, the United States has for the first time deployed its 5th-generation F-35 stealth fighter at the Clark Air Base in Philippines. As per experts, Philippines is becoming a crucial regional player as Washington continuously keeps deploying major military assets to archipelago– a group of islands situated within the strategic line of defense called 'first island chain' that includes Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippine which proves to be critical for the US. According to a report by The Eurasian Times, US F-35 fighter jets, along with 2500 personnel have been deployed at the Clark Air Base to take part in the 'Cope Thunder 25-2' joint exercise between the US and Philippines, likely to be conducted from July 7-8. Philippine Air Force has also included FA-50 fighters, A-29B Super Tucanos, and multiple helicopter models to participate in the drill, the report said. Why US-Philippines are conducting joint air drill? As per Pacific Air Forces, the drill is being conducted with the aim of strengthening bilateral defense ties and enhancing interoperability between the air force of two countries. 'Free and open Indo-Pacific must not be taken for granted, and the drills are intended to deter potential aggression' says Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Mussler, commander of US 421st Fighter Squadron. FA-50 and F-35 jets successfully coordinated within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone on the first day of the drill, showing the country's rising role in keeping the region secure. The United States is allowed to operate from nine of the Philippine military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which was also expanded in 2023 even when China strongly opposed it. The deployment of F-35s further reiterates the strengthening security alliance between the two countries. In the defense of Taiwan, Manila, a Philippine city is considered as a significant player due to its geographical proximity across the Luzon Strait and the Bashi Channel. These are strategic maritime chokepoints that can be used by China in the case of an invasion. Additionally, US has steadily increased its military footprint in the Philippines. How US increased military footprint in Philippines? The US has consistently increased its military footprint in the Philippines. In 2023, F-22 Raptors flew alongside PAF fighters. In April 2025, the US deployed its advanced NMESIS anti-ship system and approved a $5.58 billion deal to sell F-16s and precision munitions to the Philippines. Last year, the Typhon missile system was also deployed during exercises Balikatan and Salaknib. In 2023, F-22 Raptors conducted joint flights with PAF fighters. While in April 2025, the U.S. deployed its advanced NMESIS anti-ship system and approved a $5.58 billion deal for F-16 fighter jets and precision munitions. During Balikatan and Salaknib exercises the Typhon missile system was also deployed in Philippines. What is China's concern? In response, China has voiced serious concerns and even conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile test in the Pacific, highlighting its unease with the growing US presence in the region. The strengthening US-Philippines defense partnership, including the latest F-35 drills, is expected to heighten further tensions with Beijing, which continues to accuse Washington of destabilizing the Indo-Pacific, the report said. In return, China conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile test in the Pacific along with addressing serious concerns to emphasize on the rising tensions caused by the growing US presence. As per the report by the Eurasian Times, the growing military partnership between Philippines and US is likely to result in increasing tensions with Beijing who continuously accuses Washington of destabilizing the Indo-Pacific. (With ANI inputs) For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest World News on
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
War newsman Ernie Pyle is remembered at Punchbowl
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ Chaplin Hurst of the Pacific Air Forces paused in front of Ernie Pyle's grave site. The Ernie Pyle Legacy Foundation put on the service at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. 1 /4 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ Chaplin Hurst of the Pacific Air Forces paused in front of Ernie Pyle's grave site. The Ernie Pyle Legacy Foundation put on the service at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ The Color Guard posted the colors during the Ernie Pyle 80th Anniversary Memorial. 2 /4 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ The Color Guard posted the colors during the Ernie Pyle 80th Anniversary Memorial. JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ Jerry Maschino, right, executive director of the Ernie Pyle Legacy Foundation, spoke Friday with Suzanne Vares-Lum, director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, and City Council member Tyler Dos-Santos Tam during the cemetery. The memorial takes place every five years. 3 /4 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ Jerry Maschino, right, executive director of the Ernie Pyle Legacy Foundation, spoke Friday with Suzanne Vares-Lum, director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, and City Council member Tyler Dos-Santos Tam during the cemetery. The memorial takes place every five years. JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ Anne Harpham, former senior editor of The Honolulu Advertiser, paused Friday in front of the Ernie Pyle Memorial Rock. 4 /4 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ Anne Harpham, former senior editor of The Honolulu Advertiser, paused Friday in front of the Ernie Pyle Memorial Rock. JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ Chaplin Hurst of the Pacific Air Forces paused in front of Ernie Pyle's grave site. The Ernie Pyle Legacy Foundation put on the service at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ The Color Guard posted the colors during the Ernie Pyle 80th Anniversary Memorial. JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ Jerry Maschino, right, executive director of the Ernie Pyle Legacy Foundation, spoke Friday with Suzanne Vares-Lum, director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, and City Council member Tyler Dos-Santos Tam during the cemetery. The memorial takes place every five years. JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ Anne Harpham, former senior editor of The Honolulu Advertiser, paused Friday in front of the Ernie Pyle Memorial Rock. RELATED PHOTO GALLERY The legendary life and career of newsman Ernie Pyle was celebrated Friday at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Punchbowl Crater, the famed war correspondent's final resting place. The Ernie Pyle Legacy Foundation put on the ceremony, which marked the 80th anniversary of his death during the Battle of Okinawa. Another ceremony was held on the island of Iejima, where a single bullet fired by a Japanese soldier struck Pyle in the head and killed him. The ceremony brought together members of Pyle's extended family, veterans, educators, former war correspondents and community members who wanted to pay tribute to Pyle, who was best known for his human-interest reporting during the Great Depression and the intimate accounts of common service members during World War II. Retired Army Maj. Gen. Suzanne Vares-Lum, an alum of University of Hawaii's journalism and ROTC programs, said she first encountered Pyle's writing as a student at UH, where some of her instructors were former war correspondents as well. She said Pyle's work left a profound impact on her. 'He was never the loudest man in the room, but he spoke with a voice that carried across oceans, across battlefields and across generations, ' Vares-Lum said. 'He chose to stand alongside the average soldier, the quiet heroes, rather than chasing the spotlight of generals and war rooms. He wrote from foxholes, not balconies. From bombed-out towns, not press briefings. His style was simple and spare, but it cut deep. It wasn't about grandeur ; it was about truth.' The tradition of commemorating Pyle's death at Punchbowl began in 1949, the year his remains were repatriated from Okinawa and interred at the cemetery. Buck Buchwach, then-editor of The Honolulu Advertiser, wrote and delivered the eulogy. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. Every five years, people would gather again at the ceremony, and Buchwach would read from that first eulogy until his own death in 1989. Buchwach's wife, Margaret, tried to keep the tradition alive, but by the end of the 1990s, it had faded. But in 2013, members of Pyle's extended family established the Ernie Pyle Legacy Foundation, and in 2015 the foundation helped revive the tradition. Steve Maschino, a cousin of Pyle who sits on the foundation's board, told attendees that the foundation hopes to 'promote Ernie's style of writing with that human exercise story, versus the raw news today that sometimes can seem void of the human side.' Marine veteran Jason Seal, senior vice commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Hawaii, read Buchwach's eulogy, which proclaimed that Pyle 'was a little guy who loved the little guy, and he brought the front to the front door of every American home. His fame lies above all in the integrity of what he wrote. His byline meant truth.' Beverly Keever, who worked as a correspondent in Vietnam covering the war for seven years and later became a UH journalism instructor, said remembering Pyle's work is important today. 'The press today is under such unprecedented attacks of a new kind, new kind of bullets, ' Keever said. 'This is a really special occasion, 80 years after his death.' Pyle was an only child raised on a farm in Indiana, and soon decided farming wasn't for him. He enlisted in the Navy during World War I, but the fighting ended before he finished training. He pursued journalism and enjoyed a long career with stints as a beat reporter, columnist and editor. In the 1930s, feeling trapped behind a desk, he hit the road with his wife and wrote stories about the places they went and people they met. His travels took him from the heart of the Great Plains Dust Bowl to Alaska, South America and even to Hawaii, where he wrote about the Hansen's disease colony at Kalaupapa. When war broke out in Europe, he traveled to London to write about Germany's relentless bombing of the British Isles. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he began reporting on the front lines with U.S. troops, taking him to North Africa, Europe and eventually bringing him back to Hawaii and the Pacific. His last assignment was with the 77th Infantry Division on Iejima. 'His words brought the islands to the Main Street America, ' Vares-Lum said. 'Americans in Kansas, New York and Georgia could feel the breeze of a Waikiki, could understand the struggles on Guam, Tarawa, Okinawa, and we here in Hawaii remember him as one who walked among us, who listened, who cared and who understood. … He walked into danger with a notepad. He reminds us to speak the truth, even when it's hard.'
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - All this anti-DEI backlash won't last long
President Trump has stoked the fears of white working-class supporters through a politics of resentment over their declining fortunes in a pluralistic society. The administration has gutted diversity, equity and inclusion policies, abolished inclusive personnel programs in federal agencies, pressured the private sector to dismantle diversity reforms and engaged in a campaign to weed out qualified minorities and women in favor of loyalists, sometimes with lesser qualifications. The dismissal of Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General CQ Brown, ostensibly over his support for DEI policies in the military, is the most recent high-profile firing. Brown, the former commander of the Pacific Air Forces, is one of the few Black officers of rank in an active duty military with a substantial number of non-white enlisted personnel. Black Americans make up 17 percent of the enlisted men and 30 percent of the women, whereas Hispanics comprise 17 percent of the enlisted men and 20 percent of the women. As Trump's core supporters struggle to comprehend their declining status in the economic system, the administration seems content to tout the merits of white men and scapegoat others in sweeping denunciations of diversity policies. On the first day in office, Trump issued an executive order to abolish DEI programs in the federal government. He went further in threatening sanctions against corporations, universities and nonprofits that retain them. The attacks on DEI are intended to reverse inclusive policies on race and gender in 'every aspect of public and private life.' Many company programs were implemented after the 2020 police killing of George Floyd; some have encountered legal and political challenges by critics who allege discrimination against white people — against members of the white working class in particular. The movement has gained support among those who blame 'woke' policies as a cause of their decline in social status. In fact, the causes of the decline since the 1970s have been the transformative forces of deindustrialization, automation, recessions, technical retraining, civil rights reforms and the globalization of markets for labor and goods. Such forces have had profound effects on a white working class that was favored in American society since the days of Jim Crow. Under the segregation laws and entitlement practices, they were at the front of the line for jobs, wages, housing, education, loans and status. Country singer Merle Haggard, the late troubadour of that class, used to describe that process in songs with titles like 'A Working Man Can't Get Nowhere Today,' 'Where Did America Go?' and 'I'm a White Boy.' But the politics of resentment cannot undo the reality that the U.S. has undergone an irreversible shift to a pluralistic society. This means that institutions have a responsibility to develop a diverse workforce for the sake of the nation's future. Yet some corporations began doing the opposite after the Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard narrowed the use of race-based affirmative action programs in college admissions. Major corporations and nonprofits in recent months have stepped back from once highly acclaimed diversity policies. Among these are large employers such as Google, Target, Walmart, Amazon, Meta and McDonald's. Other companies, however, continue to endorse DEI as good for business and society, including Costco, Delta, Coca-Cola and the NFL. The scapegoating of DEI policies has become overly polarizing and punitive, sparking a boycott against companies that have abandoned them. Last Friday, a nationwide 'economic blackout' was promoted on social media as the first actions to punish companies in regression. The equitable participation of Blacks, women, Hispanics, Asians and gay people in the workplace, and the federal agencies responsible for such interests, should not be stigmatized as an obstacle to white workers. What is needed instead, according to advocates, are policies that promote good jobs, fair wages, education and wellness, well-funded government support programs and civic involvement. Moreover, the Trump administration has stoked fears over the white working class being replaced by non-whites. In the 2020 Census, about 192 million Americans were counted as 'white alone' (which excludes those with biracial or ethnic Hispanic heritage), about 58 percent of the national population. The average age of this group was a startling 58 years old, according to the PEW Research Center, compared to an average age of 11 years old for Hispanics, 27 for Blacks and 29 for Asians. Moreover, the Census documented that the white population had declined by about 3 percent — some 5 million people — between 2010 and 2020. One reason for the decline is the mortality of the Greatest Generation and the Baby Boomers. The decline in births among white Americans has been in response to priorities such as careers, lifestyle choices, child care costs, limited affordable housing and the suitability of mates, among others. Yet another reason is the new flexibility for people to self-identify as 'white in combination' — namely those of biracial or Hispanic ethnic background. The Hispanic population is 67 million, with strong growth through childbirth and immigration. The Asian population is 20 million and has the highest growth rate through immigration. The Black population is 48 million, including about 5 million that self-identify as either biracial or of Hispanic background. The latter is growing steadily, though slower than the others. Clearly, there are too few whites to address the demands of the American economy. Moreover, the white population is rapidly aging and will need the services and tax support of non-white workers. The transformation is irreversible and needs to be skillfully managed; according to the Brookings Institution, white youths constituted slightly less than half of the cohort under the age of 15 as of 2019. These shifts demonstrate the importance of DEI policies to foster inclusive classroom and workplace practices. Young people will not learn to work collaboratively of their own accord; moreover, they will reject being molded to the American identity of an aging and backward-looking political leadership. Ultimately, the failure of the Trump administration and the Republican Congress to address the deeper causes of white working-class decline will come back to haunt them. The clock is ticking on the politics of white resentment as the GOP's base of support fades from the scene. The future is on the side of the pluralist society. This being the case, it is short-sighted for leaders of government, companies and institutions to abandon policies that develop the country's workforce and citizens of the future. Roger House is professor emeritus of American Studies at Emerson College and the author of 'Blue Smoke: The Recorded Journey of Big Bill Broonzy' and 'South End Shout: Boston's Forgotten Music Scene in the Jazz Age.' His forthcoming book is 'Five Hundred Years of Black Self-Governance: A Call to Conscience.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
04-03-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
All this anti-DEI backlash won't last long
President Trump has stoked the fears of white working-class supporters through a politics of resentment over their declining fortunes in a pluralistic society. The administration has gutted diversity, equity and inclusion policies, abolished inclusive personnel programs in federal agencies, pressured the private sector to dismantle diversity reforms and engaged in a campaign to weed out qualified minorities and women in favor of loyalists, sometimes with lesser qualifications. The dismissal of Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General CQ Brown, ostensibly over his support for DEI policies in the military, is the most recent high-profile firing. Brown, the former commander of the Pacific Air Forces, is one of the few Black officers of rank in an active duty military with a substantial number of non-white enlisted personnel. Black Americans make up 17 percent of the enlisted men and 30 percent of the women, whereas Hispanics comprise 17 percent of the enlisted men and 20 percent of the women. As Trump's core supporters struggle to comprehend their declining status in the economic system, the administration seems content to tout the merits of white men and scapegoat others in sweeping denunciations of diversity policies. On the first day in office, Trump issued an executive order to abolish DEI programs in the federal government. He went further in threatening sanctions against corporations, universities and nonprofits that retain them. The attacks on DEI are intended to reverse inclusive policies on race and gender in 'every aspect of public and private life.' Many company programs were implemented after the 2020 police killing of George Floyd; some have encountered legal and political challenges by critics who allege discrimination against white people — against members of the white working class in particular. The movement has gained support among those who blame 'woke' policies as a cause of their decline in social status. In fact, the causes of the decline since the 1970s have been the transformative forces of deindustrialization, automation, recessions, technical retraining, civil rights reforms and the globalization of markets for labor and goods. Such forces have had profound effects on a white working class that was favored in American society since the days of Jim Crow. Under the segregation laws and entitlement practices, they were at the front of the line for jobs, wages, housing, education, loans and status. Country singer Merle Haggard, the late troubadour of that class, used to describe that process in songs with titles like 'A Working Man Can't Get Nowhere Today,' 'Where Did America Go?' and 'I'm a White Boy.' But the politics of resentment cannot undo the reality that the U.S. has undergone an irreversible shift to a pluralistic society. This means that institutions have a responsibility to develop a diverse workforce for the sake of the nation's future. Yet some corporations began doing the opposite after the Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard narrowed the use of race-based affirmative action programs in college admissions. Major corporations and nonprofits in recent months have stepped back from once highly acclaimed diversity policies. Among these are large employers such as Google, Target, Walmart, Amazon, Meta and McDonald's. Other companies, however, continue to endorse DEI as good for business and society, including Costco, Delta, Coca-Cola and the NFL. The scapegoating of DEI policies has become overly polarizing and punitive, sparking a boycott against companies that have abandoned them. Last Friday, a nationwide 'economic blackout' was promoted on social media as the first actions to punish companies in regression. The equitable participation of Blacks, women, Hispanics, Asians and gay people in the workplace, and the federal agencies responsible for such interests, should not be stigmatized as an obstacle to white workers. What is needed instead, according to advocates, are policies that promote good jobs, fair wages, education and wellness, well-funded government support programs and civic involvement. Moreover, the Trump administration has stoked fears over the white working class being replaced by non-whites. In the 2020 Census, about 192 million Americans were counted as 'white alone' (which excludes those with biracial or ethnic Hispanic heritage), about 58 percent of the national population. The average age of this group was a startling 58 years old, according to the PEW Research Center, compared to an average age of 11 years old for Hispanics, 27 for Blacks and 29 for Asians. Moreover, the Census documented that the white population had declined by about 3 percent — some 5 million people — between 2010 and 2020. One reason for the decline is the mortality of the Greatest Generation and the Baby Boomers. The decline in births among white Americans has been in response to priorities such as careers, lifestyle choices, child care costs, limited affordable housing and the suitability of mates, among others. Yet another reason is the new flexibility for people to self-identify as 'white in combination' — namely those of biracial or Hispanic ethnic background. The Hispanic population is 67 million, with strong growth through childbirth and immigration. The Asian population is 20 million and has the highest growth rate through immigration. The Black population is 48 million, including about 5 million that self-identify as either biracial or of Hispanic background. The latter is growing steadily, though slower than the others. Clearly, there are too few whites to address the demands of the American economy. Moreover, the white population is rapidly aging and will need the services and tax support of non-white workers. The transformation is irreversible and needs to be skillfully managed; according to the Brookings Institution, white youths constituted slightly less than half of the cohort under the age of 15 as of 2019. These shifts demonstrate the importance of DEI policies to foster inclusive classroom and workplace practices. Young people will not learn to work collaboratively of their own accord; moreover, they will reject being molded to the American identity of an aging and backward-looking political leadership. Ultimately, the failure of the Trump administration and the Republican Congress to address the deeper causes of white working-class decline will come back to haunt them. The clock is ticking on the politics of white resentment as the GOP's base of support fades from the scene. The future is on the side of the pluralist society. This being the case, it is short-sighted for leaders of government, companies and institutions to abandon policies that develop the country's workforce and citizens of the future. Roger House is professor emeritus of American Studies at Emerson College and the author of ' Blue Smoke: The Recorded Journey of Big Bill Broonzy' and ' South End Shout: Boston's Forgotten Music Scene in the Jazz Age.' His forthcoming book is 'Five Hundred Years of Black Self-Governance: A Call to Conscience.'
