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Is the US conducting air drills over Nevada that simulate combat operations against China?

By Austin Tannenbaum
YES

The U.S. conducted joint air drills with Britain and Australia on Feb. 8 based in the Nevada desert and beyond.

The aim was to simulate combat operations against Chinese fighter jets and air defenses, according to Reuters, which was aboard a British tanker aircraft that refueled U.S. and British fighter jets.

These “red flag” drills are not uncommon: They are held at Nevada’s Nellis Air Force Base three times a year.

Explaining the China-specific focus of this drill, Air Force Col. Jared J. Hutchinson said, “We think that if we're ready for China, we're ready for anybody.”

The drills practiced operating across long distances such as the Pacific to bring forces to a recently invaded area.

The U.S. military views China as its top strategic priority and is bracing for a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which U.S. intelligence says the Chinese military aims to be prepared for by 2027.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
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