For the first time, Japan reported that it will take part in the live-fire large-scale training exercise “Valiant Shield,” taking place in June of this year, joining U.S. forces.
Valiant Shield is a bi-annual exercise hosted by the United States.
The exercises will happen in regions near the Philippines, Hawaii, and Guam. Some additional training will take place at Japanese Self-Defense Force (JSDF) facilities in nine prefectures. Fighter jets from both nations will take off from some of these areas, in addition to airborne and anti-ship combat training.
U.S. and Japanese personnel will also undergo runway repair training at Iwo Jima.
Around 10,000 personnel from the United States armed forces will participate, joined by approximately 4,000 members of the Japanese military.
