A US Air Force B-1B bomber prepared to take off from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam in August. Photo: US Air Force - Pacific Command
The United States and Singapore are joining forces on their air defenses in the Pacific.
The US Andersen Air Force Base in Guam will host half of Singapore's F-15 fighter jets, as part of a plan to modernise and enhance combat readiness.
In a statement to Defense News, US Pacific Air Forces said Andersen Air Force Base (AFB) was chosen because of Guam's relatively open-air space and strategic location.
"Andersen AFB is a strategic location used to project airpower and expand combat capability from the forward edge of the Indo-Pacific - our intent is to further resource this location," a spokesperson for US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) told Defense News in an email.
"The purpose of the proposed action is to provide critical infrastructure that enhances U.S. posture west of the International Date Line," the statement said.
It is also near a training bombing range.
Meanwhile, Singapore has been upgrading its air force and plans to acquire F-35 fighter jets from the US.
This joint venture involves upgrading Andersen AFB to accommodate the Singaporean aircraft and provide training facilities for pilots.
The start date is not known, but construction on base is set to take place over a period of three to seven years.
