[appalachian_dweller]

>> We'll never have a military base this close to China again. <<

What good is a base if we can't initiate operations from it?

[Rutles4Ever]

What good is a base if we can't initiate operations from it?

The point is not to initiate operations but to deter operations, e.g. China or N. Korea attacking Japan. China will not engage us, and they won't risk it by attacking a direct ally with our forces nearby.