A1C Christoffer P. Johnson, 20, of Clarksville, Tenn., died due to a non-combat-related incident in Southwest Asia while supporting Operation New Dawn, the Defense Department announced. Johnson died on Feb. 17. He was an installation entry controller assigned to the 423rd Security Forces Squadron at RAF Alconbury, England, northeast of London. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this sorrowful time,” said Col. Timothy Cashdollar, commander of Alconbury’s 501st Combat Support Wing. He added, “Airman Johnson was a dedicated young defender, and his presence here will be missed.” (Includes Alconbury release)
While U.S. defense officials have spent much of the past decade warning that China is the nation’s pacing threat and its People’s Liberation Army represents an urgent threat in the Indo-Pacific, several defense researchers are skeptical that the PLA has the human capital, the structural ability, or the political appetite…