Photo By Tech. Sgt. Orlando Corpuz | Multinational service members receive a scenario briefing during the first day of a...... read more read more
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SOUTH SUMATRA, Indonesia — Super Garuda Shield 26 (SGS 26) began with an opening ceremony Aug. 31 2026, in Bandung, bringing together service members from Indonesia, the United States and 13 partner countries for a multinational exercise focused on strengthening relationships, interoperability and readiness.
Approximately 5,000 combined armed forces personnel are scheduled to participate in SGS 26 from Aug, 31 to Sept. 11 at multiple training locations across Indonesia, including Bandung, Bataraja and Lampung.
The U.S. Pacific Command-sponsored exercise demonstrates the shared purpose of participating nations while enhancing interoperability and providing realistic training in a variety of climates, terrains, and environments.
“SGS 26 is building valuable relationships and readiness with our Indonesian and multinational partners through challenging and realistic training,” said Maj. Gen. Patrick Ellis, commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division, “We are excited to work side by side with our partners this year to ensure we remain ready to rapidly respond to any contingency or crisis.”
SGS 26 provides opportunities for professional exchanges that strengthen partnerships through shared learning and training. Training includes engineering construction activities, staff training exercises, airborne operations, jungle training, air assault operations, a large field training exercise and combined arms live fire exercises, a Stinger missile live fire exercise, and a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) live fire exercise.
The variety of training events allows participating forces to share their respective experiences and expertise while developing a better understanding of how partner nations plan, coordinate and execute military operations.
U.S. Army, Airforce, Navy and Marine Corps personnel will train alongside their Indonesian hosts and regional allies and partners to sharpen tactical readiness, test joint command-and-control systems and strengthen their ability to operate together. Training alongside partner nations builds the collective trust and interoperability necessary to strengthen defense relationships and support shared interests throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Beyond improving technical and tactical capabilities, SGS 26 provides opportunities for service members from participating nations to build professional relationships. Those relationships can improve communication and mutual understanding among forces that may work together during future operations, contingencies or crises.
Super Garuda Shield has developed into an important venue for multinational cooperation and professional exchange. Each iteration provides participating nations an opportunity to build upon existing partnerships while creating new relationships among service members throughout the region.
The United States’ participation in SGS 26 reflects its enduring defense relationship with Indonesia and its commitment to working alongside allies and partners. By training together, participating forces build the collective trust and interoperability necessary to respond to shared challenges and uphold their shared interest in a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Ellis reinforced the importance of building these partnerships during SGS 26 saying, “the trust that is required to execute these operations cannot be built in a briefing room; it is built in the mud, in the surf, in the cockpits, and in the operational command centers.”
Throughout the nearly two-week exercise, participating forces will continue training together across Indonesia, strengthening professional relationships and improving their ability to operate as a combined and joint force.
| Date Taken: | 09.01.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.01.2026 05:15 |
| Story ID: | 573644 |
| Location: | ID |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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