On June 8, 2024, the U.S. military and its allies, with a total of more than 10,000 troops, launched the Valiant Shield 2024 military exercise in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, and the waters around the Mariana Islands Mountain Complex. The exercise is scheduled to end on June 18 and lasted for 11 days. The scope of this exercise covers almostFirst Island ChainThe exercise will focus on strengthening the interoperability of the U.S. military and its allies in a multi-domain environment, and will test the “Joint Firepower Network” between the U.S. military and its allies for the first time to integrate the joint combat capabilities of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force and allied countries. Donghai Guanlan uses geospatial intelligence combined with open source information to analyze the exercise in depth, sounding the alarm and setting the record straight.
one,Analysis of U.S. military forces participating in the exercise
1. U.S. Navy
The U.S. Navy is the main force of the “Valiant Shield-2024” maritime exercise. The armed forces currently deployed mainly include: USS Ronald ReaganThe USS Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (based at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan), the USS Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (based at North Island Naval Base, San Diego, California, USA), the 138th Electronic Attack Squadron (based at Misawa Air Base, Japan) and the USS30th Engineer Regiment (stationed at Camp Covington Naval Base in Guam) and other units.
1. USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group
A report released by the U.S. Naval Institute showed that the USS Ronald Reagan arrived at its home port, Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on May 11, 2024. After a brief rest and replenishment, it left on May 16. Since then, it has been heading south along the waters between the first island chain and the second island chain, arriving at the exercise waters east of the Philippines on June 7.
Satellite image of March 9, 2022, showing the USS Ronald Reagan docked at Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan
On May 11, 2024, two soldiers changed the flag after the USS Ronald Reagan arrived at its home port, Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan.
On May 13, 2024, the Fleet and Ship Position Report released by the U.S. Naval Institute showed that the USS Ronald Reagan was stationed at its home port in Yokosuka.
On June 3, 2024, the Fleet and Ship Position Report published by the U.S. Naval Institute showed that the USS Ronald Reagan had left its home port and sailed to about 1,700 kilometers east of Taiwan Island, China.
On June 7, 2024, the USS Ronald Reagan arrived at the exercise area east of the Philippines, and the 27th Attack Fighter Squadron (stationed at Iwakuni Marine Corps Base) conducted carrier-based aircraft take-off and landing exercises.
2. USS Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group
According to a report released by the U.S. Naval Institute, the USS Roosevelt aircraft carrier strike group assembled from the U.S. mainland in October last year and headed for the Middle East to perform a cruise mission. On March 26, 2024, the aircraft carrier strike group ended its Middle East deployment and returned to the U.S. west coast from west to east, entering the jurisdiction of the Seventh Fleet; it arrived in Singapore on April 2 for a regular port visit and has been operating in the waters of the South China Sea since then; it left the South China Sea on June 7, passing through the Sulu Sea and Surigao Strait in the Philippines and sailing to the eastern Philippine exercise area.
Satellite image taken on August 10, 2022. The USS Roosevelt was moved from its home port of San Diego to the Bremerton Naval Base in Washington State in July 2021 for deck modifications to accommodate the take-off and landing of the F-35.
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On May 16, 2024, the Fleet and Ship Position Report published by the U.S. Naval Institute showed that the USS Roosevelt was once again stationed at the Changi Naval Base in Singapore.
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On June 7, 2024, a post was published on social media X (formerly Twitter) that the USS Roosevelt left the South China Sea on June 7, passed through the Sulu Sea and Surigao Strait in the Philippines and headed for the exercise area east of the Philippines.
3. 138th Electronic Attack Squadron
According to a report released by the U.S. Naval Institute, the 138th Electronic Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy stationed at Misawa Air Base in Japan dispatched five EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft and about 130 personnel to Guam to participate in the mission from June 8 to 18.“Valiant Shield-2024” military exercise.
Annotated photo of the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft
Satellite image of the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft at Iwakuni Air Force Base, Japan
On September 28, 2021, a “Growler” EA-18G electronic attack aircraft took off from Misawa Air Base in Japan.
Satellite image of April 26, 2021, Misawa Air Base, Japan, one “Growler” EA-18G electronic attack aircraft is ready to take off, and another is parked on the collective apron
On June 17, 2022, a Growler EA-18G electronic attack aircraft participating in the “Valiant Shield-2022” exercise received aerial refueling from a KC-135 tanker.
4.U.S. Navy30projectgroup
A report released by the U.S. Naval Institute shows that theU.S. Navy30 Engineering Grouparrived in Palau before June 8 to participate in thisThe US military set up a temporary combat command center and other support facilities for the “Valiant Shield-2024” military exercise.
The 30thprojectgroupThe logo is a wasp
Satellite image of a portion of Camp Covington Naval Base in Guam
Satellite image of a portion of Camp Covington Naval Base in Guam
On June 11, 2022, the 30th Naval Engineer Regiment of the U.S. Navy built the command and control center of the “Valiant Shield-2022” exercise in the park under the Koror-Babeltuapu Bridge on the east side of Palau to verify the concept of the expeditionary maritime combat center.
Satellite image of the park under the Koror-Babeltuap Bridge in Palau
(two)United States Air Force
The U.S. Air Force's forces participating in the “Valiant Shield-2024” maritime exercise mainly include:Kadena Air Base (10 F-22 fighters), Andersen Air Force Base in Guam (main support base and exercise center), U.S. Air Force556th Test and Evaluation Squadron (Creech Air Force Base, “Reaper” UAV), 317th Air Wing (Dyess Air Force Base, C-130 transport aircraft), etc.
1. Kadena Air Base
According to a report released by the U.S. Naval Institute, the U.S. Kadena Air Base in Japan dispatched 10 F-22 fighter jets and more than 180 staff members to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam to participate in theThe 10 F-22 fighters were temporarily deployed to Kadena Air Base in the United States. The F-22 fighters of the 199th and 19th Fighter Squadrons of Pearl Harbor-Hickam Air Force Base arrived on March 28, and the F-22 fighters of Langley Air Force Base arrived on March 28.No.27th Fighter SquadronThe F-22 fighter jets arrived on April 20.
On March 28, 2024, several F-22 fighters from the 199th and 19th Fighter Squadrons of Pearl Harbor-Hickam Air Force Base arrived at Kadena Air Base.
Satellite image of June 11, 2019, two F-22 fighter jets at Pearl Harbor-Hickam Air Force Base in the United States are on the taxiway, ready to take off.
Partial satellite image of Pearl Harbor-Hickam Air Force Base
On April 20, 2024, several aircraft belonging to Langley Air Force Base27th Fighter SquadronF-22 fighter jets arrive at Kadena Air Base
Satellite image of April 10, 2023, two F-22 fighter jets parked on the collective apron of Langley Air Force Base in the United States
Local satellite image of Langley Air Force Base
2. Andersen Air Force Base
A report released by the U.S. Naval Institute shows that Andersen Air Force Base in Guam is the main participating force and central support unit for the “Valiant Shield 2024” military exercise.
June 7, 2024, several aircraft belonging to Langley Air Force Base27th Fighter SquadronF-22 fighter jets arrive at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam
Satellite imagery of Andersen Air Force Base in Guam
3.U.S. Air Force556th Test and Evaluation Squadron
A report released by the U.S. Naval Institute shows thatU.S. Air ForceThe 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron participated in the “Valiant Shield-2024” military exerciseThe squadron is affiliated with the state of Nevada, USACrichThe Air Force Base is the first unmanned aircraft combat test squadron of the US Air Force, mainly responsible for MQ-1B Predator UAV and MQ-9 Reaper UAVBased on the combat support and test evaluation, it was preliminarily judged that the unit's participation in this exercise was to verify the application effect of the Reaper UAV's satellite communication take-off and landing, new electronic pods and onboard weapons and equipment in actual combat exercises.
On June 7, 2024, a C-17 transport plane arrived at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, and was initially judged to be unloading the Reaper drone equipment.
From May 25 to June 30, 2022, the Reaper UAV participated in the Valiant Shield 2022 exercise for the first time, strengthening the integration of the various branches of the US military through joint operations at sea, land, air and cyberspace. The Reaper UAV played a key role in the exercise, serving as a cooperation platform between the various services, and identifying, aiming and tracking targets by using full-motion video (FMV) and disseminating intelligence on primary targets, playing a major role in the “Kill Chain” exercise.
Photo of the Reaper drone being tested before takeoff. A light source vehicle (small) and a power supply vehicle (large) are parked. The power supply vehicle is responsible for providing power for the MQ-9B drone, while the light source vehicle is responsible for providing lighting for the maintenance work of the MQ-9 drone before takeoff or after landing at night.
On April 23, 2023, at the Kanoya Air Base of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, three “Reaper” drones were inspected before takeoff.
Partial image of Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, USA
4. 317th Airlift Wing
A report released by the U.S. Naval Institute shows that the U.S. Air ForceThe 317th Air Force Wing participated in the“Valiant Shield-2024” military exerciseThe squadron is affiliated with Dyess Air Force Base in Texas, and is the backbone of the U.S. Transportation Command. Its main equipment is the C-130J “Super Hercules” transport aircraft. On June 8, two C-130J “Super Hercules” transport aircraft of the wing arrived at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam after completing the maximum endurance verification.The “Valiant Shield-2024” military exercise is initially judged to be responsible for the transportation tasks between simple airports on various islands in the exercise.
On August 26, 2020, after the U.S. Pacific Army, Air Force and Marines worked together to clear the vegetation on the runway of the simple airport on Angaur Island, Palau and level the land, two soldiers from the 30th Engineering Regiment of the U.S. Navy used an automatic level to determine the height and slope of the simple airport on Angaur Island, Palau, to ensure that the airport is usable. The airport is currently used for the takeoff and landing of C-130J “Super Hercules” transport aircraft. It is judged that such projects have been included in the exercise
Satellite image from September 24, 2023. The simple runway on Angaur Island, about 58 kilometers southwest of Palau, has been completed with vegetation removal and land leveling. There is a large area of construction on the east side of the middle of the runway, and a large number of engineering vehicles are working.
On June 8, two C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft of the wing took off from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas, and arrived at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam after aerial refueling and completing the maximum endurance verification.
(three)US Army
The U.S. Army’s forces participating in the “Valiant Shield-2024” maritime exercise are mainlyThe 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force was established on September 23, 2022. This exercise mainly focuses on practicing joint operations between various branches of the U.S. military and allied forces in a multi-domain environment, and the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force played a major role in it.
Satellite image of the U.S. Army's Schofield Camp in Hawaii, the headquarters of the 25th Division and the office building of the artillery brigade directly under it. It is initially determined that the headquarters of the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force is here
Soldiers from the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force operate at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 16, 2023.Command and control system
A soldier from the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force is configuring his equipment on May 17, 2023.
(Four)U.S. Marine Corps
The U.S. Marine Corps forces participating in the “Valiant Shield-2024” maritime exercise include: the 17th Marine Combat Logistics Regiment, the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, etc.
1. BeautyMarine Corps17th Combat Logistics Regiment
Open source information shows that the 17th Combat Logistics Regiment of the U.S. Marine Corps participated in the “Valiant Shield-2024” maritime exercise. The unit is affiliated with the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California, and is mainly responsible for logistics support during the exercise.
On May 31, 2024, the 17th Combat Logistics Regiment of the U.S. Marine Corps boarded a plane at March Air Force Base in California to the site of the “Valiant Shield-2024” maritime exercise.
Satellite image of March Air Force Base in California, USA
Satellite image of a part of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California, USA
2.No.1. Marine CorpsflightUnited
Open source information shows that the 1st Marine Flying Wing of the U.S. Marine Corps participated in the “Valiant Shield-2024” maritime exercise. The unit is affiliated with the U.S. Marine Corps Base at Camp Foster in Okinawa. During the exercise, the MV-22B Osprey helicopter was mainly used to undertake tasks such as personnel and material transportation and ship deck landing.
Satellite image of the Futenma Marine Corps Base in Okinawa, with multiple MV-22B Osprey helicopters parked on the collective helipad
3.No.3. Marine CorpsflightUnited
Open source information shows that the 3rd Marine Flying Wing of the U.S. Marine Corps participated in the “Valiant Shield-2024” maritime exercise. The unit is affiliated with the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in California, and mainly used MV-22B Osprey helicopters to undertake personnel and material transportation support and ship deck landing tasks during the exercise.
Satellite image of a portion of the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in California, USA
(five)U.S. Space Force in the Indo-Pacific
Open source information shows that the U.S. Space Force in the Indo-Pacific region participated in the “Valiant Shield-2024” maritime exercise. The force is located at the Pearl Harbor-Hickam Joint Base in Hawaii. During the exercise, it was mainly responsible for space force reconnaissance, navigation, positioning and other combat support tasks.
Partial image of Pearl Harbor-Hickam Joint Base in Hawaii, USA
To be continued, stay tuned!
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