PHILIPPINE SEA

USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group sails in formation with Japan Maritime Self- Defense Force as part of Valiant Shield 2026 while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 21, 2026. U.S. Navy participants include Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Shoup (DDG 86) and USS Benfold (DDG 65), and Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force participants include JS Kaga (DDH 184), JS Fuyuzuki (DD 118), and JS Jingei (SS 515). 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 Anthony Vilardi) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

U.S. Navy aircraft, attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, and U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs fly over U.S. Navy George Washington Carrier Strike Group as it sails in formation with Japan Maritime Self- Defense Force as part of Valiant Shield 2026 while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 21, 2026. U.S. Navy participants include Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Shoup (DDG 86) and USS Benfold (DDG 65), and Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force participants include JS Kaga (DDH 184), JS Fuyuzuki (DD 118), and JS Jingei (SS 515). 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 Tyler Crowley) Share

San Diego

SAN DIEGO (June 19, 2026) – Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) returns to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego, June 19. Fitzgerald returned from a three-month underway to the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility, having carried out sustained operations at sea and enhanced interoperability with allies and partners to ensure a prosperous Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sara Eshleman) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines conduct small-boat operations with U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutters USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) and Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) during a Maritime Cooperative Activity. U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and partners and allies through MCAs to continually develop, exercise and enhance multi-domain tactical interoperability to uphold peace and security in the region. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Coast Guard) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

An Armed Forces of the Philippines AW109 naval helicopter flies over Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) during a Maritime Cooperative Activity. U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and partners and allies through MCAs to continually develop, exercise and enhance multi-domain tactical interoperability to uphold peace and security in the region. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Coast Guard) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Coast Guardsmen conduct small-boat training aboard Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) during a Maritime Cooperative Activity. U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and partners and allies through MCAs to continually develop, exercise and enhance multi-domain tactical interoperability to uphold peace and security in the region. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Coast Guard) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines board U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutter Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) during a Maritime Cooperative Activity. U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and partners and allies through MCAs to continually develop, exercise and enhance multi-domain tactical interoperability to uphold peace and security in the region. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Coast Guard) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

U.S. Marines, with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Sailors, assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), conduct flight operations in the South China Sea, June 13, 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

SOUTH CHINA SEA

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jayden James, a rifleman assigned to Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), targets simulated drones during marksmanship training on the aircraft elevator of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), June 14, 2026. Boxer, flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is underway with the 11th MEU 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 Seaman Eliora Sims) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

U.S. Navy Seaman Jobert Santiago, right, and Aviation Support Equipment Technician Seaman Japhet Canceran, both assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), man a line on the ship’s flight deck during a replenishment-at-sea with Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3), June 15, 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 Communications Specialist 3rd Class Martin Perez) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 15, 2026) – Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) departs Naval Air Station North Island, June 15, 2026. Theodore Roosevelt, flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, is underway conducting exercises to bolster strike group readiness and capability in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aaron Haro Gonzalez) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 16, 2026) – A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, launches off the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), June 16, 2026. VFA-86, part of Carrier Air Wing 11 and the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, is operating in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations conducting advanced training to bolster strike group readiness and capability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aaron Haro Gonzalez) Share