Deterrence Is Key: Are U.S. Troops Headed to the Senkaku Islands? The strategic logic for emplacing troops on the Senkakus is blurrier than the physical feasibility of doing so. Here's What You Need to Know: Seapower would be critical to such a venture. If Japanese and U.S. maritime forces could reimpose command of the air and sea around an occupied island, they would confront the PLA with an uncomfortable case of role reversal. Chinese occupiers could find themselves playing the part of beleaguered Philippine marines at Second Thomas Shoal. U.S. troops landing on the Senkaku Islands? Could be.