US Military Revives World War II Bases to Counter China's Growing Threat

The Strategic Importance of Reviving World War II Bases

As geopolitical tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly between the United States and China over Taiwan, the US military has embarked on an ambitious project to revitalize World War II era bases in the Western Pacific. This strategic move aims to counter China's growing military capabilities and assertiveness in the region.

The US Air Force is modernizing bases that are 80 to 85 years old, from Tinian to Palau, to support its Agile Combat Employment (ACE) strategy. This strategy forms a cornerstone of the US Pacific defense plan, designed to enhance operational flexibility and survivability in potential conflict scenarios.

The Indo-Pacific: A New Focal Point of US-China Competition

The Indo-Pacific region has become the center stage for US-China competition, with Taiwan emerging as a critical flashpoint. China's stated goal of reunification with Taiwan, by force if necessary, has driven its military modernization efforts and territorial assertiveness in the South China Sea and beyond.

The United States, committed to supporting Taiwan's defense and maintaining freedom of navigation in the region, faces the challenge of operating in an area increasingly dominated by China's military presence. To maintain a strategic advantage, the US is leveraging its historical assets - World War II era bases - while adopting new operational concepts like ACE to enhance flexibility and survivability in potential conflicts.

China's A2/AD Strategy: A Major Challenge for US Forces

Since the mid-1990s, China has developed its Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) strategy to deter US intervention in regional conflicts, particularly around Taiwan and the South China Sea. The A2/AD strategy aims to prevent US forces from entering or operating effectively within the first and second island chains - geographic arcs extending from Japan through the Philippines and into the South Pacific.

Key Components of China's A2/AD Strategy

1. Advanced Missiles: China has deployed a range of precision-guided weapons, including:

   • DF-21D and DF-26 anti-ship ballistic missiles
   • CJ-10 land-attack cruise missiles
   • DF-17 hypersonic missiles These systems, often referred to as "carrier killers," can target US naval assets such as aircraft carriers and fixed bases like those in Guam and Okinawa.

2. Integrated Defense Systems: China's A2/AD relies on robust Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities coupled with long-range anti-air and anti-ship systems. This creates a layered defense network aimed at pushing US forces beyond operational ranges, reducing the effectiveness of air and naval operations.

Operational Impact of A2/AD

Simulations and war games have highlighted the risks posed by China's A2/AD strategy:

• US aircraft carriers operating at extended distances face reduced sortie rates due to longer transit times.
• Support aircraft such as tankers are vulnerable to missile strikes.
• In some scenarios, the loss of tankers severely limits air operations, crippling US power projection capabilities.

China's A2/AD strategy is designed to exploit the US military's reliance on large, centralized bases and high-value assets, making them prime targets in a conflict. To counter this, the US has adopted a distributed, resilient approach to operations, with revitalized World War II bases playing a critical role.

The US Air Force's Agile Combat Employment (ACE) Strategy

The ACE strategy is a direct response to the vulnerabilities exposed by China's A2/AD capabilities. It emphasizes dispersing aircraft, personnel, and resources across multiple smaller, distributed locations rather than relying on a few large, fixed bases. This approach enhances survivability, complicates enemy targeting, and enables rapid, flexible responses to threats.

Key Principles of ACE

1. Distributed Operations: By operating from a network of austere and contingency locations, the Air Force reduces the risk of catastrophic losses from missile strikes. Distributed basing creates a targeting dilemma for adversaries, forcing them to allocate limited munitions across numerous sites.

2. Resilient Logistics: ACE requires scalable logistics packages, pre-positioned equipment, and access to forward operating sites, including partner airfields. Resilient communication systems are critical to coordinating operations in contested, degraded, or operationally limited environments.

3. Multi-Domain Integration: ACE supports Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO), enabling the Air Force to integrate air, land, sea, space, and cyber capabilities. This convergence presents adversaries with operational dilemmas at a tempo that disrupts their decision-making cycles.

The Need for ACE

The need for ACE is driven in part by the US military's global footprint. According to a July 2024 Congressional Research Service report, the United States military currently manages or uses at least 128 overseas bases in at least 51 different countries. These bases serve three primary functions:

1. Providing opportunities for rapid military response outside the United States
2. Functioning as deterrence for adversaries
3. Assuring allies of US support

However, the concentration of high-value assets on large installations makes them vulnerable to advanced systems used by adversaries like China's long-range missiles and pervasive ISR capabilities.

Mark Gunzinger, director of government programs and war gaming at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, observes that "the best place to kill an enemy's air force is on the ground." Bases lacking passive defenses (like shelters and decoys) and active defenses (such as missile interceptors, electronic warfare, and directed energy weapons) are particularly at risk.

ACE addresses these challenges by re-examining enabling systems, including command and control, logistics under attack, counter-drone capabilities, and air and missile defense. Infrastructure upgrades and material pre-positioning at distributed sites are critical to ensuring operational continuity.

Revitalization of World War II Era Bases

The revitalization of World War II era bases aligns perfectly with the ACE strategy, providing a network of resilient, dispersed platforms to support US operations. As of April 2025, the US military has refurbished several World War II era bases in the Western Pacific, with additional sites under consideration.

These bases, located in the Mariana Islands, Guam, Palau, and Micronesia, leverage historical infrastructure to support modern operations under the ACE framework.

Key Revitalized Sites

1. Tinian Island (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands)

• Located 120 miles northeast of Guam
• Major World War II base, served as launch point for B-29 bomber missions, including atomic bomb drops on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
• Since 2022, US Department of Defense has invested nearly $800 million to restore Tinian North Field
• Over 20 million square feet of runways, taxiways, and infrastructure rehabilitated
• Tinian International Airport expanded with new aprons, taxiways, and fuel storage facilities
• 1.85 million square meters of degraded pavement restored to create a "rejuvenated runway"

These upgrades align with ACE's focus on dispersed basing, ensuring operational flexibility in contested environments.

2. Guam

• Long-standing strategic hub in the Pacific
• Hosts Andersen Air Base and other critical facilities
• Northwest Field, originally built during World War II, closed as an airfield in 1949
• Recently used for satellite tracking, air defenses, and training
• Recent upgrades have modernized the field to support F-35 fighters
• Enhancements improve Guam's role as a resilient hub for ACE operations
• Enables rapid response and power projection in the Second Island Chain

3. Palau

• Part of the Republic of Palau
• Site of a brutal World War II battle
• Airfields reclaimed by nature after decades of neglect
• Extensive restoration required clearing vegetation and sweeping for unexploded ordnance
• Runway recertified in 2024
• First military fixed-wing aircraft landed on the revitalized runway in 2024
• Small coral reef island of just 5 square miles
• Key step in US island-hopping campaign during World War II
• Current revitalization efforts include road improvements and expansions to the Palau Civic Center Museum
• Restored airfield enhances US operational reach in the Southwest Pacific

4. Yap (Micronesia)

• Currently in planning phase
• Small island of 46 square miles located between Guam and Palau
• Approximately 1,000 miles southeast of China
• Air Force has proposed $400 million in upgrades
• Plans to extend Yap's airfield runway and expand facilities
• Initial $96 million investment planned for 2025
• Will serve as a backup for major bases like Andersen Air Base on Guam and Kadena Air Base on Okinawa

Strategic Importance of Revitalized Bases

These revitalized bases serve as critical nodes in the US defense architecture, complementing primary hubs like Andersen and Kadena. While China's DF-26 missiles can theoretically strike these sites, their limited numbers and the dispersed nature of US basing reduces the likelihood of neutralizing all operational capabilities.

The US also employs emergency airfield damage repair kits, enabling rapid runway repairs to maintain continuity, as demonstrated in various exercises.

Lessons from the Ukraine Conflict

The ongoing war in Ukraine provides valuable insights into the challenges of neutralizing an adversary's air force through missile strikes. Despite Russia's use of advanced systems like the Kh-101 cruise missile and Iskander ballistic missile, Ukraine's air force continues to operate MiG-29s, Su-25s, and other aircraft after three years of conflict.

Russian efforts to subdue Ukrainian air bases have been hampered by limited munitions and the resilience of dispersed operations. This experience suggests that China's missile arsenal, while formidable, may lack the quantity and sustainment required to incapacitate multiple US bases, particularly those dispersed across the Western Pacific.

The sheer number of targets, combined with rapid repair capabilities, ensures that US air operations can persist even under attack. For example, a single overwhelming strike may damage a runway, but without repeated follow-ups, the operational impact is temporary.

The US's investment in ACE and base revitalization capitalizes on this reality, prioritizing resilience over reliance on a few vulnerable hubs.

Expanded Presence in the Philippines

In addition to revitalizing Pacific bases, the US has expanded its presence in the Philippines under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). On April 3, 2023, the Philippines announced four new strategic sites for US access, increasing the total from 5 to 9.

These new sites are:

1. Naval Base Camilo Osias
2. Lal-lo Airport
3. Camp Melchor Dela Cruz
4. Balabac Island

These bases are strategically positioned, with three on Luzon close to Taiwan, while Balabac Island faces the South China Sea near Chinese installations. This positioning enhances US capabilities for rapid response, joint exercises, and deterrence in contested areas.

Unlike the revitalized Pacific bases, EDCA sites are controlled and maintained by the Filipino military, with US forces granted rotational access. Their proximity to China, closer than Guam or Tinian, makes them critical for countering Chinese assertiveness, particularly in the South China Sea.

The US has allocated $82 million for infrastructure improvements, including runways, fuel storage, and military housing to support operations without establishing permanent bases. This rotational model aligns with Philippine sovereignty while bolstering US strategic posture.

Deployment of Advanced Missile Systems

In April 2024, the US Army deployed the Typhon missile system to the northern Philippines for joint exercises with Philippine forces. The Typhon system, a land-based launcher capable of firing SM-6 and Tomahawk land-attack missiles, was transported via C-17 Globemaster.

Developed by Lockheed Martin, the Typhon system adapts the naval Mark 41 Vertical Launch System for land-based operations. It includes four launchers, a command center, and logistical vehicles, complementing other Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) assets like HIMARS, Precision Strike Missiles, and Dark Eagle hypersonic batteries.

When deployed in the Philippines, Typhon can strike coastal targets in China and threaten regional shipping, enhancing US multi-domain capabilities. The system can launch:

• Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range exceeding 1,000 miles (1,600 km)
• SM-6 missiles with a range of over 200 miles (320 km)

From the Philippines, these missiles can reach southern Chinese cities like Guangzhou and military bases on Hainan Island, covering the entire South China Sea where China has territorial claims.

The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) has undergone rigorous testing against moving maritime targets, showcasing its exceptional capability to engage and neutralize naval vessels. Equipped with an advanced multi-mode seeker system, the PrSM can effectively track and strike time-sensitive, mobile, and heavily fortified targets, including ships navigating at sea.

This cutting-edge technology significantly bolsters the US Army's capacity to support maritime operations, providing a strategic advantage in contested waters while also enhancing deterrence against potential threats. The missile's precision and adaptability make it a formidable tool for addressing dynamic and high-priority targets, ensuring operational flexibility in complex environments.

If deployed in strategic locations such as the Philippines, the PrSM would extend the US military's reach across critical maritime regions, including the ability to target Chinese naval assets along China's coastline. This deployment could reshape the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, strengthening alliances and signaling a robust commitment to regional security.

Capabilities of Revitalized Pacific Bases

While the revitalized Pacific bases are strategically positioned further from China and thus too distant to support Typhon missile strikes on mainland targets due to range limitations, they are ideally suited to host advanced long-range platforms that enhance US military capabilities in the Western Pacific.

These bases can support aircraft such as:

1. The stealthy B-21 Raider
2. Versatile B-52 Stratofortress
3. C-17 Globemaster equipped with Rapid Dragon munitions (a cutting-edge palletized air-dropped missile system)

With robust tanker support, fighter aircraft deployed from these bases can maintain air superiority, conduct precision strikes, and project power across vast distances in the region. This configuration ensures a flexible and resilient force structure capable of responding to diverse threats.

By leveraging these advanced platforms and logistical capabilities, the US can sustain a formidable deterrent posture, reinforcing its commitment to regional stability and countering potential aggression in the Indo-Pacific theater.

Strategic Impact of Revitalized Bases and EDCA Access

The revitalization of World War II era bases, combined with expanded EDCA access, creates a networked defense architecture that counters China's A2/AD strategy. By dispersing forces across resilient, distributed sites, the US complicates China's targeting efforts, forcing it to allocate limited munitions across numerous locations.

This dispersion reduces the risk of catastrophic losses and ensures operational continuity even under attack. The revitalized bases also enhance US power projection, enabling rapid deployment of air, naval, and missile assets to deter aggression or respond to crises.

For example:

• Tinian and Guam can support large-scale air operations
• Palau and Yap extend US reach into the Second Island Chain
• Philippine EDCA sites, with their proximity to Taiwan and the South China Sea, provide forward-positioned platforms for rapid response and joint operations with allies

Moreover, the ACE strategy aligns with broader US objectives in the Indo-Pacific, including strengthening alliances and partnerships. By investing in regional infrastructure and conducting joint exercises, the US reinforces its commitment to allies like the Philippines, Palau, and Micronesia. This fosters a collective defense framework to counter China's influence.

Conclusion

The revitalization of World War II era bases in the Western Pacific, coupled with expanded access to Philippine EDCA sites, represents a strategic adaptation to the challenges posed by China's A2/AD strategy. Through the Agile Combat Employment framework, the US enhances its resilience, flexibility, and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

These bases, from Tinian's restored runways to Palau's recertified airstrip, leverage historical infrastructure to meet modern threats, ensuring the US can project power and maintain stability in a contested region. As tensions with China persist, this networked, distributed approach positions the US and its allies to deter aggression and uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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