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24-011 | Nov. 1, 2024
U.S. Marines assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Marine Aircraft Group 12, U.S. Airmen assigned to the 525th Fighter Generation Squadron, and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force stand for a photo during exercise Keen Sword 25 at JASDF Nyutabaru Air Base, Japan, Oct. 30, 2024. Keen Sword is a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and JASDF personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dakota Adams-Petree, 77th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron aircraft fuel systems journeyman, and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force stow a fuel hose during Keen Sword 25 at Tsuiki Air Base, Japan, Oct. 28, 2024. Keen Sword is a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker) (Photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)
NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan (Oct. 25, 2024) Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Chandler, assigned to Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, participates in an active shooter exercise onboard the base with members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) during exercise Keen Sword 25. Keen Sword is a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad Japan-U.S. alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Henry Liu) (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry Li)
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Uriel Villagomez, left, and Cpl. Marley Pierre, center, both bulk fuel specialists with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, discuss moving equipment to set up a forward refueling point with Japanese Air Self-Defense Force members during exercise Keen Sword 25 at JASDF Nyutabaru Air Base, Japan, Oct. 25, 2024. Keen Sword is a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the iron-clad U.S.-Japan alliance. Villagomez is a native of Illinois and Pierre is a native of New Jersey. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Samantha Rodriguez) (Photo by Cpl. Samantha Rodriguez)
Guardians from across the U.S. Space Force pose for a photo with their Japanese counterparts from Japan’s Space Operations Group at Japan Self-Defense Force Fuchu Air Base, Fuchu, Japan on Oct. 22, 2024. A bilateral group of 73 specialists from both countries conducted space academics followed by a two-day tabletop exercise, with the events meant to exercise concepts of communication between key space stakeholders from both nations. (courtesy photo by Japan Air Self-Defense Force). (Photo by Courtesy Photo)
241022-N-FI026-1820 SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 22, 2024) Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, and Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide, chief of staff, Joint Staff, Japan Self-Defense Forces shake hands at the conclusion of a press conference for Keen Sword 25 aboard the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), Oct. 22, 2024. Keen Sword is a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Commutation Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Bakerian) (Photo by Mass Commutation Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Bakerian)
Forces from the U.S., Japan, Australia and Canada concluded exercise Keen Sword 25 on Nov. 1 after ten days of integrated training across Japan.
Keen Sword 25 was a joint bilateral exercise Japan designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance. This year’s Keen Sword was the largest iteration of this exercise since its inception in 1986. The overall event included participants from the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF), Australian Defence Force (ADF), Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and U.S. service members from across the joint force. The exercise began Oct. 23 following a bilateral press conference on Oct. 22.
Throughout the exercise, U.S. forces worked alongside JSDF and partner nation forces to hone skills and maintain warfighting readiness. Bilateral and multilateral events undertaken as part of Keen Sword 25 included joint live fire training, medical mass casualty exercises, installation security forces training and simulated airfield damage repair, among others.
Participants took advantage of the unique training environment to enhance tactics, techniques, and procedures across a wide range of military operations in support of furthering interoperability between U.S., JSDF and participating allied forces, strengthening deterrence, and regional stability. The training occurred throughout mainland Japan and its surrounding territorial waters.
Keen Sword continues to be an opportunity to demonstrate the ironclad nature of the U.S. – Japan alliance, which is built on shared interests and values and a commitment to freedom and human rights. Both countries are focused on ensuring regional peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region, including building new partnerships and strengthening multilateral cooperation.
Participants in Keen Sword 25 include U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM), U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT), U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC), U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ), U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F), III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF), U.S. Army Japan (USARJ), U.S. Naval Forces Japan (CNFJ) 5th Air Force (5 AF) along with forces originating from units across the Department of Defense.