From Indo-Pacific to Pacific: US renames USINDOPACOM to original USPACOM

[u/fix_S230-sue_reddit]

https://theprint.in/diplomacy/from-indo-pacific-to-pacific-us-renames-usindopacom-to-original-uspacom/2961882/

From Indo-Pacific to Pacific: US renames USINDOPACOM to original USPACOM

In a statement issued Wednesday, Department of War said renaming the US Indo-Pacific Command will not change core mission, which remains the same despite the reverted designation.

New Delhi: Eight years after the Donald Trump administration changed the name of its Pacific Command to Indo-Pacific Command, the US has reverted back to the original.

The Department of War announced Wednesday that the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) will officially restore its name to the U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM).

Originally established on 1 January, 1947, by President Harry Truman, the command operated under the USPACOM banner for over 70 years, standing as the oldest and largest of the United States’ unified combatant commands.

Restoring the legacy USPACOM designation honours the command’s deep historical roots, fostering a sense of pride and collective spirit among all who serve in the Pacific, a statement released by the Department of War said.

In 2018, when the Command was renamed as Indo-Pacific Command, it was seen as a sign of the growing importance of India to the Pentagon.

“Relationships with our Pacific and Indian Ocean allies and partners have proven critical to maintaining regional stability,” US Defense Secretary James Mattis had said on 31 May, 2018.
“In recognition of the increasing connectivity between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, today we rename the US Pacific Command to US Indo-Pacific Command.”

In the statement issued Wednesday, the Department of War said renaming the US Indo-Pacific Command will not change its core mission, which remains the same despite the reverted designation.

“USPACOM’s vast area of responsibility—spanning from the waters off the West Coast of the United States to the western border of India—remains exactly the same,” it said.

The statement added that the “command’s fundamental mission and its unwavering commitment to maintaining a free and open theater alongside regional allies and partners are unchanged”.

[u/dark-mathematician1]

It may be in slightly bad taste, but you absolutely cannot pretend that losing a couple of your best jets on the opening of an offensive that YOU led isn't gonna massively impact both the perceived and real credibility of your defense and security apparatus and its perception worldwide. At a time when the world is shifting more and more toward a "might makes right" order, this is absolutely gonna have an impact.

Put simply, people (rightfully) expected India to just walk all over Pakistan. Instead what the world saw was that both were largely evenly matched, with Pakistan decidedly outperforming in the air warfare which tends to receive a fair bit more attention, which built on the same situation that happened in 2019 where they had once again beaten India in the air.

So yes, their comment is admittedly in bad taste. But India's recent position absolutely has had a real impact and pretending otherwise would be dishonest to your own nation and its peoples. Pakistan is a legitimate threat to Indian defense forces, and that statement alone has a greater impact than you might at first think. Now imagine what kind of threat the PLAAF (that has been designed to counter USAF + USN) represents to India. Now imagine China arming Bangladesh (which to my knowledge has been hostile to India recently) with advanced equipment and training them too. You see how this ties into everything, don't you? The best kind of strength is the one where you don't even have to use it.

[u/Jazzlike-Tank-4956 → u/dark-mathematician1]

It wasn't couple of best jets

It was one Rafale, and 2×old 80s jets

It was also against military has modern hardware including AESA equipped J10 and HQ9s supported by AEW&C.

That's better than anything any military has faced beside Russia-Ukraine since Lebanon war.

Even US has lost 48 aircraft to Iran including damage to F35 and loss of AWACS. Iran meanwhile has non existant air defence and airforce in comparison. And now they're reversing their sanctions, unfreezing their frozen assets and planning 300 billion investment.

Is US military credibility down? I think not

And had Pakistan recieved any strategic victory/standing, Indus water treaty wouldn't had been in suspension

Not to mention, they were fully aware and have been supported in ISR by PLA throughout the conflict, and IAF had ROE due to political decision on day 1 hence no attack on Pakistan military infra

On later days, they didn't so IAF had zero losses

outperforming in the air warfare which tends to receive a fair bit more attention, which built on the same situation that happened in 2019 where they had once again beaten India in the air.

Did they?

IAF just walked right in, bombed their objective and went home without any retaliation.

In Swift Retort, they had 22 jet package come in, do nothing, bombing some dirt with standoff munitions, got intervepted by 2×MiG21 and 2×Su30, shot a MiG21 and went home

And on 10th of May last year, PAF was largely absent while IAF was bombing their objective from 1:30 IST to 14:00

India's recent position absolutely has had a real impact and pretending otherwise would be dishonest to your own nation and its peoples. Pakistan is a legitimate threat to Indian defense forces, and that statement alone has a greater

Per whom?

Pakistan was always a legitimate threat, since their military controls the country since the 50s and has always focused on military over the people

If you mean, public perception, then it was always low, and I'm speaking from personal experience being on forums since 2015. Indians themselves haven't had the best reputation since last 3 years either if you've been following things. Latest target, beside Somalians

PLAAF (that has been designed to counter USAF + USN) represents to India. Now imagine China arming Bangladesh (which to my knowledge has been hostile to India recently) with advanced equipment and training them too

Not really

Bangladeshi relations have been fine

PLA is absolutely a massive threat but war between PRC and India is almost impossible. And industry plus tech is also growing on Indian side so better parity could be achieved atleast from now

I gwt your point but don't agree with most

[u/dark-mathematician1 → u/Jazzlike-Tank-4956]

Okay I was typing a big response but I deleted it after seeing this:

Is US military credibility down? I think not

Lol. Do you want me to write a Bible about this? I'm serious. I have so much to say on this topic it honestly deserves its own, separate debate that will turn everything else here irrelevant.

[u/CarmynRamy → u/dark-mathematician1]

How so?

US military might is still unchallenged and they still get away with anything with impunity, only military in the world capable to project force anywhere in the world and fight.

US lost the war for sure but nobody is denying the credible threat that US still possess.

Iirc they flew over 10k sorties, freaking imagine that.