26 October 2011

News Story: (US) Admiral says Pacific forces may dodge cuts

US Navy Adm. Robert Willard
United States forces in the Pacific may largely dodge the $400 billion budget cuts coming at the Pentagon thanks to $1.2 trillion in annual U.S. trade at stake in the South China Sea alone, and the challenge of China’s growing military might.

Adm. Robert Willard, the head of U.S. Pacific Command, told reporters in San Diego on Monday that if one looks at the budget math from a strategy point of view, it’s a no brainer.

“I can’t imagine that Pacific Command or the Asian Pacific region wouldn’t hold high marks in terms of any global, strategic view of where U.S. interests will be placed in the future,” Willard said, echoing comments by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who made his first trip to Asia this week as Pentagon chief.

Read the full story at SignOn SanDiego