KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to Kadena Air Base participated in VALIANT SHIELD 2026 at multiple locations throughout Japan, June 22-25.
Held biennially; VS26 is a multinational joint exercise that focuses on the relationship between U.S. and allied partners while working in realistic contested environments.
The primary flying units participating in the exercise were the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, operating KC-135 Stratotankers, and the 90th and 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadrons, both operating F-22 Raptors. The units practiced their day-to-day mission sets of refueling and counter-air defense, all while strengthening relationships with the U.S. Marines Corps and Japanese Air Self Defense Force.
Having an array of assets and allies required a clear command and control system, said U.S. Air Force Captain Regina Smothers, 18th Wing chief of current operations.
“This exercise is critical because we are consistently trying to optimize communication bilaterally, but also through joint lines,” said Smothers. “Finding ways to share data expeditiously so we can make mission command decisions. Smothers went on to emphasize the importance of the exercise, highlighting her own past experience.
“I actually did this exercise back when I was a lieutenant at Kadena in 2018. The exercise has grown significantly since then, and we are tackling much larger operational and strategic scenarios; however, the willingness of all participants is what gets us to mission success.”
Flying units were not the only participants. VALIANT SHIELD 2026 provided an opportunity to conduct complex multi-domain operations that called Airmen from many backgrounds to action.
From flying units to maintenance to personnel, each unit at Kadena had an important role in executing the mission. “Maybe the biggest and most important aspect of personnel operations is accountability,” said U.S. Air Force Captain Thomas Kono, 718th Force Support Squadron flight commander. “Knowing where people are and their condition helps commanders at all levels make quick tactical and strategic decisions.”
Exercises like VALIANT SHIELD allow Pacific Command Joint Forces the opportunity to integrate assets from all branches of service to conduct lethal and overwhelming effects that demonstrate a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.