Photo By Seaman Collin Rhyins | Lt. Gen. Stephen F. Jost, Commander, United States Forces Japan, addresses U.S.,...... read more read more
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CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii - Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States marked the opening ceremony for Freedom Edge 2026 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sept. 7, launching this year’s iteration of the premier trilateral multi-domain exercise between the three nations.
Now in its fourth iteration, Freedom Edge 2026 strengthens trilateral interoperability, trust, and readiness across air, maritime, cyber, and Integrated Air and Missile Defense capabilities. The exercise is scheduled for Sept. 7 to 11 and supports the shared commitment of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States to peace and security throughout the Indo-Pacific.
During the opening ceremony, senior leaders from all three nations delivered remarks highlighting the shared purpose of the exercise and the value of continued trilateral cooperation. Their remarks emphasized combined readiness, interoperability, and mutual trust as the foundation for Freedom Edge 2026.
“The message of this exercise is simple and clear. The Republic of Korea, Japan, and the United States stand together on common interests, ready to preserve the peace and security we have built and defended for more than eight decades,” said Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, Commander, U.S. Forces Japan.
“The purpose of this exercise is twofold. First, exercise Freedom Edge 26 aims to enhance trilateral interoperability, including in cross-domain operations, among Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States. Second, it demonstrates the firm commitment of our three nations to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Vice Adm. Yoshiyasu Ishimaki, Director General, Operations Department, Japan Joint Staff.
“Through the exercise, we seek to deepen mutual understanding and trust amongst us and wish that it will serve as a valuable chance to further develop the level of our tri-lateral security cooperation,” said Rear Adm. Ji-hoon Kim, Director of Exercises and Training, Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Freedom Edge 2026 is an exercise conducted in international waters and airspace South of the Republic of Korea, as well as at military installations and command posts in Japan. The exercise is defensive in nature and aims to improve coordination, information sharing, and combined readiness among the three nations.
| Date Taken: | 09.06.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.07.2026 02:00 |
| Story ID: | 574042 |
| Location: | YOKOTA AIR BASE, JP |
| Web Views: | 56 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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