Pentagon warns of severe aging at US bases in Pacific, potentially weakening China deterrence

The U.S. Pentagon's Inspector General has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating state of American military facilities throughout the Pacific, raising concerns about their ability to deter China. An inspection of 11 U.S. military sites in the region uncovered alarming issues, including corroded structures, crumbling walls, collapsed ceilings, and the presence of mold and asbestos.

These findings were detailed in a management advisory report released this month, which was communicated to over a dozen senior Department of Defense officials. The report highlights that these infrastructure problems not only affect critical facilities essential for military readiness but also impact the living quarters for service members and their families. The advisory, marked as Controlled Unclassified Information, was issued to flag immediate attention issues during an ongoing audit.

Officials attribute the severe aging of these facilities, many of which date back to the 1970s, to environmental conditions such as earthquakes and tsunamis, compounded by shortages in personnel and funding. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, a key hub for U.S. air power in the Pacific storing $836 million worth of munitions, exemplifies these issues. Photos accompanying the report show hangars with gaping holes in walls and severe corrosion. At Kadena, at least 243 housing units are uninhabitable due to spalling, and 139 more have suffered ceiling collapses.

Similar challenges are present at other bases, including Yokota Air Base and Camp Courtney. The report also notes concerns regarding operational and communication infrastructure, citing mold, fire damage, cracks, water leaks, and the presence of lead and asbestos in building materials at these Japanese bases. Some maintenance and storage facilities were found to be non-compliant with required standards.