This year’s Vigilant Shield is planned for Oct. 15-20, according to a release from US Northern Command. Like the 2007 version, it will take place in various states in cooperation with Homeland Security. It will also involve several partner nations, including Australia, Canada, and Britain, and will include Guam. The exercises are intended to test response abilities against a variety of potential threats.
The Air Force is requesting about $141 million for initial enlistment bonuses in its fiscal 2026 budget, while Space Force wants $13 million.
