US Air Force B-2 bombers have been flying 18-hour missions to Australia to make use of the Delamere bombing range in Australia’s Northern Territory, as part of Exercise Green Lightning. USAF KC-10 tankers enabled the bombers to participate in this new bi-national training event, which US Pacific Command officials say will improve operational familiarity in the region and relations with Australian counterparts. Future exercises are to feature USAF’s other strategic bombers—the B-1B and B-52—flying long-haul missions to Australia.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.