- Valiant Shield 24 involves U.S. and allied forces, emphasizing multi-domain operations across sea, air, land, space, and cyberspace.
- High-altitude balloons are tested for stratospheric sensor capabilities and extended communication systems during the exercise.
- This year’s exercise marks the first inclusion of other nations, with participation from Japan, Canada, and France.
- The exercise takes place in the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, and the surrounding maritime regions, enhancing joint force operational proficiency.
- The U.S. Navy states this is the first time the exercise has included other nations. In a show of joint force, the American aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan traveled in formation with U.S. and Japanese ships and submarines while aircraft from both nations flew overhead.
The United States Navy and allied forces are showcasing their might in a multinational training exercise as tensions escalate in the Pacific. As part of exercise Valiant Shield 24, U.S. and allied forces are expanding their reach and testing cutting-edge technology in the Western Pacific Islands.
“Valiant Shield 24 provides realistic, relevant training that increases the Joint-Combined Force’s ability to plan, communicate, and conduct complex multi-domain operations throughout the Indo-Pacific,” a spokesperson with the exercise’s Combined Joint Information Bureau said.
American forces will test the high-altitude balloons. “This training will test stratospheric sensor capabilities and joint extended communication system capacity,” the official said. Balloons are typically used to fill the void between expensive aircraft and less capable satellites.
The exercise occurs every two years and U.S. Pacific Command says this is the tenth one since its inception in 2006. This year, participating forces are working to expand their proficiencies across domains beyond the traditional, sea, air, and land.
“This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging adversary units at sea, in the air, in space, on land, and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas,” the official said, adding that it is working to track adversaries in space and in cyberspace. U.S. Space and Transportation commands are participating this year to help work across the domains.
As for firepower, the exercise allows forces to experiment with and test their long-range fires, which it deems critical in maritime and near-shore littoral environments, according to the official.
The U.S. Navy states this is the first time the exercise has included other nations. In a show of joint force, the American aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan traveled in formation with U.S. and Japanese ships and submarines while aircraft from both nations flew overhead.
Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk, the commander of Carrier Strike Group 5, said in a news release that the unit demonstrated their ability to conduct complex, multi-domain operations with forces from across the globe.
“Over the coming days, our joint and combined forces will continue to hone our tactics and precise execution of those tactics to increase interoperability and lethality,” he added. “This exercise expresses the full spectrum of capabilities we can bring to bear in our commitment to global peace and stability.”
Forces from Canada and France have been seen participating in official photos. According to U.S. Pacific Fleet, this year’s event is taking place in the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, and at sea around the Mariana Island Range Complex.