Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs The United States has increased the number of spy planes deployed at a military hub in the Western Pacific Ocean used to collect intelligence on China, North Korea and Russia.The U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) previously told Newsweek that its aircraft were conducting “planned, routine operations.” The Chinese and Russian militaries, as well as North Korea’s embassy in Beijing, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Why It MattersKeith Kellogg, U.S. special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, has warned that the growing alliance between China, Russia and North Korea, as well as Iran, represents what he called a “global problem” that could have serious consequences for international stability.Both Beijing and Pyongyang have thrown their support behind Moscow during the Russia-Ukraine War, strengthening their joint opposition to U.S. influence across the Indo-Pacific region.The U.S. has stationed forces in Japan, including at Kadena Air Base that hosts fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft. The air power hub is located in Okinawa, a Japanese island that is part of the first island chain, a defense concept designed to counter possible threats from China.
What To KnowAccording to data captured by the aircraft tracking service Flightradar24, a U.S. Air Force RC-135V spy plane, also known as Rivet Joint, reached Kadena Air Base on Sunday from Anchorage in Alaska via Tokyo. It was spotted at Yokota Air Base near Tokyo.This spy plane was the third Rivet Joint aircraft sent to Kadena Air Base, according to @MeNMyRC1, an open-source intelligence analyst active on X, formerly Twitter. It was tracked departing from the air base two days later.
The Rivet Joint jet has two variants, the RC-135V and the RC-135W. They can detect, identify, and geolocate signals throughout the electromagnetic spectrum, according to the U.S. Air Force. Both types of Rivet Joint aircraft are permanently based at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.The other two Rivet Joint aircraft deployed to Okinawa are both the RC-135W variant @MeNMyRC1 said. Flight tracking data showed that they were stationed on the island as of March 5 and Monday, respectively.”This appears to be an increase in the forward deployed [Rivet Joint] posture,” the analyst said. The last time three Rivet Joint jets operated from Kadena Air Base was in mid-2023. It was not clear why an additional Rivet Joint aircraft had been sent to Okinawa.In addition to the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army was tracked sending its new spy plane, the BD-700, which is a modified business jet, to South Korea in mid-February.
A United States Air Force RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft lands at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on August 25, 2024.
A United States Air Force RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft lands at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on August 25, 2024.
Airman 1st Class Jeremiah Johnson/U.S. Air National Guard
Both Japan and South Korea are American allies. President Donald Trump last week questioned Japan for not having to “protect us,” suggesting the security treaty signed more than six decades ago was not reciprocal as “we have to protect them.”What People Are SayingThe U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) previously told Newsweek via email: “PACAF remains committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific focused on fostering regional security and stability throughout the region.”The U.S. Air Force wrote in a fact sheet: “The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft supports theater and national level consumers with near real time on-scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities.”What Happens NextIt remains to be seen whether the U.S. will deploy further military units to Japan. A third F-35B stealth fighter jet squadron was sent to Iwakuni in mainland Japan on Saturday.
