U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct flight operations in support of Valiant Shield 2026 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, June 22 through July 1, 2026. Exercises like Valiant Shield allow Pacific Command Joint Forces the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service and with our allies to conduct precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-axis, multi-domain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the joint force and our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Cecilia Campbell)
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan–During Resolute Dragon 26, Marines with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, took part in bilateral training with the Western Army System Signal Group, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force on June 24-25, 2026, at Camp Kengun, Kumamoto, Japan. The aim of this bilateral training was to increase interoperability via a knowledge exchange between U.S. and Japanese forces.
On June 23, 2026, U.S. and Japanese service members, civilians, and leaders gathered at Mabuni Hill in Peace Memorial Park to mark Okinawa's 81st Memorial Day. The ceremony, held at the Cornerstone of Peace monument (which honors over 250,000 lives lost in the 1945 Battle of Okinawa regardless of nationality), served as a powerful symbol of reconciliation, turning past tragedy into an enduring bilateral alliance focused on a free and open...
