2G-Adversaries: China (1996-2001)

Just prior to my military service, China’s military posture appeared primarily focused on deterrence and defense, with little direct interaction with U.S. forces. However, this began to shift in the early 1990s, when China began transitioning its naval capabilities from coastal defense to a "blue water" force capable of power projection, particularly around the islands in the South China Sea. This shift became increasingly evident as the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) began intercepting U.S. Navy reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering aircraft operating near Chinese territory or naval assets. Though the PLAAF still relied on a relatively outdated interceptor fleet, they adopted a more aggressive stance. This culminated in a high-profile incident in 2001, when an aggressive intercept led to a mid-air collision near Hainan Island. This collection includes PLA weapons that engaged with U.S. forces during my time in service.
- J-6C Farmer-D (People's Liberation Army Air Force)
- J-8II Finback-B (People's Liberation Army Air Force)
* Type 091 Submarine (People's Liberation Army Navy)

*Wishlist