Allies Prove Interoperability in Exercise Valiant Shield 26

Allies Prove Interoperability in Exercise Valiant Shield 26

Image: Senior Airman Adrien Tran via DVIDS

Five nations tested high-end warfighting capability across the West Pacific during Exercise Valiant Shield 26. The United States led the drill, with Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand taking part.

Over 10 days, forces trained to detect, track and engage shared threats across maritime, air, land, space and cyber domains. Scenarios included coordinating air and maritime assets against submarine threats. Personnel also practised defending against cruise and ballistic missile attacks and repairing damaged runways.

Australian Forces Integrate Across Multiple Domains

Australia deployed around 80 Australian Defence Force personnel across Guam, Japan, Hawaii and a US Navy Carrier Strike Group. A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon operated from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. ADF air battle management and integrated air and missile defence teams worked alongside partner forces throughout the exercise.

Air Commodore Peter Robinson, Director General Air Command Operations, commented that the exercise built experience in emerging capability areas. “ADF personnel brought proven skill sets and capabilities to Exercise Valiant Shield 26, especially in anti-submarine warfare and air battle management,” he commented.

Ghost Bat Marks Milestone Debut

The Boeing Defence Australia MQ-28A Ghost Bat took part in a major international exercise for the first time. The uncrewed aircraft flew alongside a US Air Force F-15EX Eagle II during agile combat employment operations at Rota International Airport. A USAF HC-130J Combat King transferred fuel directly into the Ghost Bat during forward arming and refuelling trials.

Read more on the Australian MoD website

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