US Holds Joint , Air Force Exercises , Simulating Conflict With China.<br />On February 8, the United States, United Kingdom <br />and Australia concluded China-focused <br />Air Force exercises over the Nevada desert.<br />Fox News reports that the "Red Flag" <br />joint exercises have taken place over the last <br />three weeks, based out of Nellis Air Force Base.<br />[China is] just the pacing challenge <br />that we train to so that we're ready... <br />We think that if we're ready for China, <br />we're ready for anybody, Colonel Jared Hutchinson, U.S. Air Force, via Reuters.<br />Fox News reports that the U.K. <br />deployed the Voyager refueling aircraft <br />and several Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. .<br />Fox News reports that the U.K. <br />deployed the Voyager refueling aircraft <br />and several Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. .<br />Australia deployed the EA-18G Growler <br />aircraft to participate in the war games.<br />As the exercises were taking place, the Biden<br />administration ordered a Chinese surveillance craft to <br />be shot down after drifting across the continental U.S.<br />As the exercises were taking place, the Biden<br />administration ordered a Chinese surveillance craft to <br />be shot down after drifting across the continental U.S.<br />Fox News reports that the shoot-down <br />has contributed to rising tension <br />between the U.S. and China.<br />The spy balloon incident took place <br />amid already fraught U.S.- China <br />relations over the status of Taiwan.<br />Meanwhile, on February 8, North Korean dictator <br />Kim Jong Un unveiled a dozen ICBM launchers in a military <br />parade, further destabilizing the Indo-Pacific region.<br />Meanwhile, on February 8, North Korean dictator <br />Kim Jong Un unveiled a dozen ICBM launchers in a military <br />parade, further destabilizing the Indo-Pacific region.<br />Fox News points out that China remains a close <br />ally of North Korea, while the U.S., Japan, <br />South Korea and Australia remain allied.
