The Republic of Palau on a map of the Pacific. Credit: Encyclopaedia Britannica/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Real Clear Defense reports on Chinese incursions into Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

None of the actions sighted appear to be illegal or that much different from what the US does in the South China Sea, but they are movements we want to watch. A more detailed understanding of what they are doing might reveal illegality such as tapping into undersea cables.

Seems like the Chinese are telling us we need to station some cutters in Palau, and maybe some land based UAS.

The nearest cutters are based in Guam. It is 700 nautical miles from Guam to Palau, further than the distance between Atlanta and New York City, 50 hours at 14 knots, so Guam really isn’t in the neighborhood.

The nearest Coast Guard fixed wing search aircraft are based in Hawai’i at Barbers Point, 4500 nautical miles away. Even the new C-130J would require two fuel stops just to get to Palau.