Aboard Japan-based carrier with stealth fighter jets, Austin spotlights China as top threat

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — At a troop engagement with hundreds of sailors on the recently docked USS George Washington in Japan on Monday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the gravity of their fresh deployment, and how the technological capabilities they are bringing to bear there mark major tenets in the U.S. military’s plan to deter Chinese aggression around the Indo-Pacific region in the near term.

“The [People’s Republic of China] is the only country in the world that has the intent — and increasingly, the capability — to change the rules-based international order,” Austin told the Navy personnel.  

“And so, we want to see this region, this area, remain open to freedom of navigation and the ability to fly the skies and international airways whenever we want to. We want to see that remain, and so we’re going to continue to work with our allies and partners to ensure that we can do that — and yes, you play a critical role in that, and in sending that message,” he said.

Yokosuka is the first of several military bases Austin and his team are set to tour in Japan this week, on what will ultimately be his 13th and final trip to the Indo-Pacific during his leadership tenure as America’s defense chief. After motorcading to Hardy Barracks, he and his team arrived on the Naval base in Black Hawk helicopters.

During closed-press meetings inside the aircraft carrier, he engaged with senior U.S. Naval Forces Japan leaders — as well as some of the top-performing sailors on the vessel.

Then, he took the stage on the flight deck and addressed what defense officials said were up to approximately 1,800 service members.

“I know this is a very complex endeavor, but I want you to know that I appreciate the sacrifices that you and your families make, and we’re going to continue to do everything we can to help you make moves easier and enable you to focus on what you do each and every day better,” Austin told the crowd.

Since it was docked at the Naval base last month, USS George Washington is currently the only forward-deployed U.S. aircraft carrier anywhere in the world. In this context, it’s also considered the first time that the Navy’s forward-deployed carrier air wing is equipped with fifth-generation aircraft — the stealthy F-35C.

“That is a very, very capable platform. And so, again, I think any U.S. Naval ship deployed anywhere is a statement of the U.S.’ commitment. And certainly, when you send a carrier battle group, it is a strong statement of the U.S.’ commitment,” Austin told DefenseScoop in a short press gaggle after finishing his address to the sailors.

“USS Washington is extremely important,” he added.

When asked about his team’s latest assessment of whether China’s military is presently on track to be prepared to invade Taiwan by 2027 — a stated goal of Beijing’s leadership — Austin noted that there’s been a lot of speculation lately about whether Chinese President Xi Jinping “will decide to do one thing or another.”

“I would just say from my vantage point — at this point in time — I don’t think an attack [on Taiwan] is either imminent or unavoidable. So, again, our goal is to make sure that we continue to work with likeminded partners and allies to ensure that we maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. And we’ve been pretty successful at that,” the secretary told DefenseScoop.