In a message certain to pour steel into the hearts of the United States' Asian allies, Admiral Harry Harris, Commander, United States Pacific Command (CDRUSPACOM), reasserted America's ironclad commitment to its treaty allies in Asia will never waiver.

The United States is bound by treaty to defend Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan from any external aggressor.

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The combative admiral, the first Asian-American CDRUSPACOM, said across Asia, "including in the East and South China Seas, the United States will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows and support the right of all nations to do the same."

"From my perspective, we will continue to cooperate where we can and will be ready to confront where we must."

In a recently published article, Adm. Harris said his job is to confront all challenges from a position of strength with credible combat power. He noted that due to America's strategic rebalance to Asia, "everything that's new and cool in the U.S. military arsenal is coming first to the Pacific.

"Advanced aircraft like the Joint Strike Fighter, P-8 Poseidon and the E-2D Hawkeye. More UAVs like the Triton and Stingray; more advanced aerial platforms like the V-22 Ospreys and more new ships like the Gerald Ford class aircraft carriers and littoral combat ships.

There's also the DDG-1000 program, whose lead ship, USS Zumwalt, is scheduled to be commissioned this October and then home-ported in San Diego, he said.

Adm. Harris believes the recent decision on the South China Sea by the Permanent court of Arbitration validates the strategic importance of UNCLOS and argues for U.S. ratification of the convention.

He said United States policy is to fully adhere to the provisions in UNCLOS and its military forces around the world reinforce its standards by operating consistent with the rules in UNCLOS.

TagsAdmiral Harry Harris, United States Pacific Command, CDRUSPACOM, U.S. Navy, china, USS Zumwalt, unclos