U.S. Army Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, conduct joint airborne operations in conjunction with members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, 1st Airborne Brigade, Sept. 15, 2026, at Kikyougahara Drop Zone in Hokkaido, Japan. Orient Shield 26 is a large-scale U.S. Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), and Australian’s field exercise that focuses on converging U.S. Army Multi-Domain Operations and JGSDF Cross-Domain Operations through bilateral field training and live-fire exercises that focus on a dynamic forward posture, enhancing tactical skills and interoperability. During Orient Shield, JGSDF members train alongside service members from U.S. Army Pacific, I...
