US Army long-range fires make a splash on the frontline with China

US Army units have expanded long-range rocket-artillery training with Japan and the Philippines along the Western Pacific's first island chain, including exercises involving HIMARS in maritime-strike roles. Recent activities have moved launchers to islands close to Taiwan and tested rapid deployment by land, air and sea, while new missile systems extend the range of Army precision fires. These deployments are intended to improve coordination with allies and the ability to attack maritime or land targets from dispersed positions. The exercises demonstrate deployment and employment concepts, not evidence of combat launches against Chinese forces.