Five Indo-Pacific nations begin Exercise Sea Dragon 25

06 March 2025

From Lt. Christian Castro

Two U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft operating under Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72, one from Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 and one from VP 47, joined Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance (MPRA) communities from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Indian Navy (IN), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) for the exercise.

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Guam March 3, 2025 – Sea Dragon 25 participants, including Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) communities from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), and the United States Navy, pose for a group photo during opening ceremony and exercise commencement.

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam March 3, 2025 – Sea Dragon 25 participants, including Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) communities from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), and the United States Navy, pose for a group photo during opening ceremony and exercise commencement. (U.S. Navy photo by MCC (SW) Matthew R Cole)

Pilots and aircrew from the participating countries will coordinate to build plans and discuss tactics incorporating their respective capabilities and equipment for ASW. The exercise will culminate in a final battle problem in the vicinity of Guam, during which participants will track a live U.S. Navy submarine.

“I am eager for the opportunity to further develop our partnerships with Australia, India, Japan, and the Republic of Korea during Sea Dragon 2025,” said LT Marshad Huq, officer-in-charge for the U.S. Navy (USN) detachment from VP 16. “The continued growth and increasing complexity of this exercise affords an opportunity to practice ASW tactics, techniques, and procedures with allies and partners.”

Each event in the exercise will be assessed and graded, and the nation that scores the most points will receive the coveted Dragon Belt award. JMSDF began a three-year winning streak in 2022 and brought the belt back to Sea Dragon 2025 to defend the title once again.

Exercise Sea Dragon has been held annually since 2019.

The “War Eagles” of VP 16, part of CTF 72, are stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, and are currently forward-deployed to Misawa Air Base in Misawa, Japan. The “Golden Swordsmen” of VP 47, also a part of CTF 72, are stationed in Whidbey Island, Washington, and are currently forward-deployed to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. While deployed, both squadrons will conduct maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theater outreach operations within the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.