Pacific Winds 20260622
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
OPCON transfer must strengthen, not weaken, the alliance
Korea Times 20260621
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/amp/opinion/editorial/20260621/ed-opcon-transfer-must-strengthen-not-weaken-the-alliance
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Valiant Shield 2026 military exercise to return June 22, Guam airport to serve as support location
PDN 20260621
https://www.guampdn.com/news/valiant-shield-2026-military-exercise-to-return-june-22-guam-airport-to-serve-as-support/article_66b116e8-a6ac-4a19-9323-2afcf0f8798f.html
Guam, CNMI residents can expect increased military activity during Valiant Shield exercise
Isla Public Radio 20260621
https://www.islapublic.org/news/2026-06-21/guam-cnmi-residents-can-expect-increased-military-activity-during-valiant-shield-exercise
Defense spending policy bill proposes $1.9B for Guam, drops land acquisition
PIT 20260621
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/defense-spending-policy-bill-proposes-1-9b-for-guam-drops-land-acquisition
Taiwan + SCS
Activities of Chinese Government Vessels: Attempts Being Made to Change Status Quo East of Taiwan
Yomiuri 20260621
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20260621-334033/
Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese ships, 2 aircraft
Taiwan News 20260621
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6386676
Philippines fears China may move to seize full control of disputed atoll
FT 20260621
https://www.ft.com/content/d5191b00-dccb-465e-8afb-e61cc8260f93
Capabilities
Japan’s SDF, U.S. Military Begin Joint Drills Focused on Defending Remote Islands
Yomiuri 20260621
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260621-334008/
U.S. to deploy powerful midrange missile system to Japan for joint drills
Japan TImes 20260621
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/21/japan/us-typhon-missiles-japan-sdf/
U.S. Deploys Typhon in Japan for Long-Term Deterrence
Chosun 20260621
https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2026/06/22/GFTHOR5EPZGQFF47TCCCGMXO2I/
US-Japan drills, planned Typhon missile deployments trigger Japanese domestic opposition, stir regional security concerns
GT 20260621
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364050.shtml
China Demonstrates DF-17 Hypersonic Missile Capability Amid Pacific Tensions
Chusun 20260621
https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2026/06/22/AP5RVZBDEFCOVISIXS6ZR6WWIM/
What signal is China sending with footage of DF-17 hypersonic missile launches?
SCMP 20260621
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3357819/what-signal-china-sending-footage-df-17-hypersonic-missile-launches
All 6 THAAD launchers return to Seongju from Osan
Yonhap 20260621
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260621002900315https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260621002900315
Can automation offset Japan’s military manpower shortage?
Japan Times 20260621
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/21/japan/japan-sdf-automation-drones-military/
Apart from China, Asia isn’t afraid of a remilitarizing Japan
Asia Times 20260621
https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/apart-from-china-asia-isnt-afraid-of-a-remilitarizing-japan/
Red Hawk rising: how the Z-20 family is plugging China’s chronic defence gaps
SCMP 20260621
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3357822/red-hawk-rising-how-z-20-family-plugging-chinas-chronic-defence-gaps