US and Japanese military forces recently concluded Keen Sword 17, a large-scale interoperability exercise that included members from all branches of both nations’ forces. Some 11,000 US military personnel participated in the exercise, which kicked off on Oct. 30 and included operations on mainland Japan, Okinawa, and surrounding islands of Guam and Tinian, according to a press release. The exercise involved training scenarios for air and sea, air and missile defense, and ballistic missile defense. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s 31st and 33rd rescue squadrons also trained with USAF’s 353rd Special Operations Group in coordination with an ad hoc mobile command unit in order to simulate operations in a deployed environment.
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.
