PHILIPPINE SEA

An F-35C Super Lightning II, attached to Strike Fighter (VFA) 147, launches from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to support a live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) as a part of Valiant Shield 2026 while underway in the Philippine Sea June 27, 2026. The exercise targeted the former amphibious transport dock (LPD) ship USS Juneau – which saw action in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm before decommissioning in 2008 - more than 40 nautical miles off the coast of Guam, and brought together air, surface, and subsurface assets in coordinated strikes, allowing crews to sharpen critical skills in weapons employment and target engagement under realistic conditions that no simulator can fully replicate. Valiant Shield is a biennial, multilateral field training exercise conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces and partner nations in the Western Pacific focusing on joint, cross-combatant integration operating seamlessly across sea, air, land, and cyberspace. Exercises like Valiant Shield allow U.S. Pacific Command the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service and with our allies to conduct precise, lethal, and overwhelming 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Andrew Novak) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

An E-2D Hawkeye, attached to Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 125, launches off the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to support a live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) as a part of Valiant Shield 2026 while underway in the Philippine Sea June 27, 2026. The exercise targeted the former amphibious transport dock (LPD) ship USS Juneau – which saw action in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm before decommissioning in 2008 - more than 40 nautical miles off the coast of Guam, and brought together air, surface, and subsurface assets in coordinated strikes, allowing crews to sharpen critical skills in weapons employment and target engagement under realistic conditions that no simulator can fully replicate. Valiant Shield is a biennial, multilateral field training exercise conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces and partner nations in the Western Pacific focusing on joint, cross-combatant integration operating seamlessly across sea, air, land, and cyberspace. Exercises like Valiant Shield allow U.S. Pacific Command the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service and with our allies to conduct precise, lethal, and overwhelming 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Andrew Novak) Share

INDIAN OCEAN

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to land on the flight deck aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Indian Ocean, June 24, 2026. The 11th MEU, embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is a persistent, combat credible force contributing to deterrence and crisis response in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole Stuart) Share

260627NOV5861747

PHILIPPINE SEA (June 25, 2026) — An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, readies for takeoff on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in support of a live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of Valiant Shield 2026 while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 27, 2026. The exercise targeted the former amphibious transport dock (LPD) ship USS Juneau – which saw action in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm before decommissioning in 2008 - more than 40 nautical miles off the coast of Guam, and brought together air, surface, and subsurface assets in coordinated strikes, allowing crews to sharpen critical skills in weapons employment and target engagement under realistic conditions that no simulator can fully replicate. Valiant Shield is a biennial, multilateral field training exercise conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces and partner nations in the Western Pacific focusing on joint, cross-combatant integration operating seamlessly across sea, air, land, and cyberspace. Exercises like Valiant Shield allow U.S. Pacific Command the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service and with our allies to conduct precise, lethal, and overwhelming 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. Navy photo illustrator by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicolas Quezada) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

An F/A-18 Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, launches off the flight deck of Nimitz-class carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in support of a live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of Valiant Shield 2026 while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 27, 2026. The exercise targeted the former amphibious transport dock (LPD) ship USS Juneau – which saw action in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm before decommissioning in 2008 - more than 40 nautical miles off the coast of Guam, and brought together air, surface, and subsurface assets in coordinated strikes, allowing crews to sharpen critical skills in weapons employment and target engagement under realistic conditions that no simulator can fully replicate. Valiant Shield is a biennial, multilateral field training exercise conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces and partner nations in the Western Pacific focusing on joint, cross-combatant integration operating seamlessly across sea, air, land, and cyberspace. Exercises like Valiant Shield allow U.S. Pacific Command the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service and with our allies to conduct precise, lethal, and overwhelming 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jack D. Barnell) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine fires a torpedo at the decommissioned USS Juneau in support of a live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of Valiant Shield 2026 while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 27, 2026. The exercise targeted the former amphibious transport dock (LPD) ship USS Juneau – which saw action in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm before decommissioning in 2008 - more than 200 nautical miles off the coast of Guam, and brought together air, surface, and subsurface assets in coordinated strikes, allowing crews to sharpen critical skills in weapons employment and target engagement under realistic conditions that no simulator can fully replicate. Valiant Shield is a biennial, multilateral field training exercise conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces and partner nations in the Western Pacific focusing on joint, cross-combatant integration operating seamlessly across sea, air, land, and cyberspace. 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anthony Vilardi) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

PHILIPPINE SEA (June 27, 2026) — Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine fires a torpedo at the decommissioned USS Juneau in support of a live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of Valiant Shield 2026 while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 27, 2026. The exercise targeted the former amphibious transport dock (LPD) ship USS Juneau – which saw action in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm before decommissioning in 2008 - more than 200 nautical miles off the coast of Guam, and brought together air, surface, and subsurface assets in coordinated strikes, allowing crews to sharpen critical skills in weapons employment and target engagement under realistic conditions that no simulator can fully replicate. Valiant Shield is a biennial, multilateral field training exercise conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces and partner nations in the Western Pacific focusing on joint, cross-combatant integration operating seamlessly across sea, air, land, and cyberspace. 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anthony Vilardi) Share

INDIAN OCEAN

San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) sails behind Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), while underway in formation in the Indian Ocean, June 24, 2026. Boxer, flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is underway with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Miles) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, readies for launch on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to support a live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) as a part of Valiant Shield 2026 while underway in the Philippine Sea June 27, 2026. The exercise targeted former amphibious Austin-class amphibious transport dock USS Juneau (LPD 10) – which saw action in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm before decommissioning in 2008 - more than 40 nautical miles off the coast of Guam, and brought together air, surface, and subsurface assets in coordinated strikes, allowing crews to sharpen critical skills in weapons employment and target engagement under realistic conditions that no simulator can fully replicate. Valiant Shield is a biennial, multilateral field training exercise conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces and partner nations in the Western Pacific focusing on joint, cross-combatant integration operating seamlessly across sea, air, land, and cyberspace. Exercises like Valiant Shield allow U.S. Pacific Command the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service and with our allies to conduct precise, lethal, and overwhelming 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Andrew Novak) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

An E-2D Hawkeye, attached to Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 125, launches off the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to support a live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) as a part of Valiant Shield 2026 while underway in the Philippine Sea June 27, 2026. The exercise targeted the formerAustin-class amphibious transport dock USS Juneau (LPD 10) – which saw action in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm before decommissioning in 2008 - more than 40 nautical miles off the coast of Guam, and brought together air, surface, and subsurface assets in coordinated strikes, allowing crews to sharpen critical skills in weapons employment and target engagement under realistic conditions that no simulator can fully replicate. Valiant Shield is a biennial, multilateral field training exercise conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces and partner nations in the Western Pacific focusing on joint, cross-combatant integration operating seamlessly across sea, air, land, and cyberspace. Exercises like Valiant Shield allow U.S. Pacific Command the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service and with our allies to conduct precise, lethal, and overwhelming 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Andrew Novak) Share

ANDAMAN SEA

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, lands on the flight deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Andaman Sea, June 22, 2026. The 11th MEU, embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is a persistent, combat credible force contributing to deterrence and crisis response in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Joseph Helms) Share

SAN DIEGO, Calif.

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO (June 27, 2026) – The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) returns to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego following 11 months of sustained operations at sea in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations June 27, 2026. An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the region and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute our Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations – from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster response. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation and overflight, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Aaron Sandovalmendoza) Share