While the US forces in the Pacific were not going to do an amphibious landing in Russia, that does not mean they would be idle. The USN can plaster Petropavlosk, and both carrier raids and land based raids against Vladivostok are possible. Soviet bases on Sakhalin which could threaten Japan are vulnerable. Any airfields on Soviet Aleutian Islands or in the seized Kuriles can be attacked by carrier aircraft, and installations on these islands can be subject to warship bombardment. The Soviet Pacific Fleet was small and obsolescent and was not capable of operations against the US fleet outside of local waters. Most of the submarines were of coastal types, and could be used for a while against traffic in and around Japan but would generally not last long.
In the case of a "WWIII" in 1948 US Pacific forces would initially concentrate on ASW as needed, and eliminating threats from closer Soviet facilities Petropavlosk/Aleutians/Kuriles. In particular, once any air assets were eliminated or significantly degraded in "forward" areas from the Kuriles east the 7th Fleet could operate relatively freely taking care for the potential of a submarine threat (limited). If desired selected Aleutian or Kurile islands could be seized with relatively little effort and used as forward air bases allowing tactical air to be used against the Soviet Pacific coast.
The Civil War is still going on in China, and the DPRK is not ready yet to attack south. In the midst of a no notice conflict as envisaged, the USSR is going to be busy and will probably not even supply OTL levels of military aid to Mao or Kim as they will be needing it. The resources needed for the actions listed are pretty much at hand, and are very much naval. They would not be used in Europe, and I am sure the USN would be more than willing to strike some blows rather than sit around in the Pacific. If the USSR needs to move some assets from elsewhere to defend the Pacific coast (defending the Kuriles/Aleutians/Sakhalin or reinforcing them is not practical) that can only be a plus for the US/NATO (yes I know NATO not there yet). Once US reserves are mobilized and spun up can the USSR be sure there won't be an amphibious attack on the Pacific Coast. Especially if the USN/USMC stages some raids or demonstrations, can the USSR ignore this?
This is case of valuable assets that are not really useful for Europe and can make life difficult for the USSR. Also such victories, even if relative pinpricks, are good for western morale.
In the case of a "WWIII" in 1948 US Pacific forces would initially concentrate on ASW as needed, and eliminating threats from closer Soviet facilities Petropavlosk/Aleutians/Kuriles. In particular, once any air assets were eliminated or significantly degraded in "forward" areas from the Kuriles east the 7th Fleet could operate relatively freely taking care for the potential of a submarine threat (limited). If desired selected Aleutian or Kurile islands could be seized with relatively little effort and used as forward air bases allowing tactical air to be used against the Soviet Pacific coast.
The Civil War is still going on in China, and the DPRK is not ready yet to attack south. In the midst of a no notice conflict as envisaged, the USSR is going to be busy and will probably not even supply OTL levels of military aid to Mao or Kim as they will be needing it. The resources needed for the actions listed are pretty much at hand, and are very much naval. They would not be used in Europe, and I am sure the USN would be more than willing to strike some blows rather than sit around in the Pacific. If the USSR needs to move some assets from elsewhere to defend the Pacific coast (defending the Kuriles/Aleutians/Sakhalin or reinforcing them is not practical) that can only be a plus for the US/NATO (yes I know NATO not there yet). Once US reserves are mobilized and spun up can the USSR be sure there won't be an amphibious attack on the Pacific Coast. Especially if the USN/USMC stages some raids or demonstrations, can the USSR ignore this?
This is case of valuable assets that are not really useful for Europe and can make life difficult for the USSR. Also such victories, even if relative pinpricks, are good for western morale.