The 353rd Special Operations Group, stationed on the island of Okinawa at Kadena AB, Japan, sent some 200 airmen to U-Tapao, Thailand, for the 25th running of the Cobra Gold exercise. The USAF airmen provided their particular specialties—airspace control, special tactics, airdrops, jumps, and more—alongside members of the Royal Thai and other nations’ military forces. And, the exercise gave the Okinawa SOG team a chance to practice their crafts in different terrain from mountains to jungles.
China thinks it will be able to invade Taiwan by 2027 and has developed a technology edge in many key areas—but it is artificial intelligence that may be the decisive factor should conflict erupt, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said.