CHON BURI, Thailand (Feb. 27, 2026) - U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5 and Royal Thai Navy sailors 5 conduct freefall jump operations as part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2026 in Chon Buri, Thailand, Feb. 27, 2026. Cobra Gold is the Indo-Pacific’s largest annual military exercise in mainland Asia, co-hosted by the U.S. and Thailand. The exercise brings together participants from multiple nations for military training and humanitarian projects that strengthen regional partnerships and demonstrate U.S. commitment to Indo-Pacific Security. (U.S. Navy video by Natasha Ninete)
Japan Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces conducted Fleet Synthetic Training Joint (FST-J) 26-71 at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka and command centers across the region Feb. 23-27, 2026.
YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 28, 2026) — The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) held a change of command ceremony aboard the ship in Yokosuka, Japan, Feb. 28, marking the transition of leadership from Capt. Holman R. Agard to Capt. William S. Buford.
A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft (MPRA) from Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 concluded their participation in the multilateral naval exercise MILAN 2026, Feb. 17-26, 2026.
SOUTH CHINA SEA — The combined armed forces of Australia, the Philippines, and the United States,
demonstrated a collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support
of a free and open Indo-Pacific while conducting a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA)
within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, Feb. 15-16, 2025.
