Foreign Dignitaries Visit Guam for Valiant Shield 06
Valiant Shield Media Logistics Center Public Affairs

High Resolution

Members of the Valiant Shield Foreign Observer program participated in a tour of Hangar 1 at Andersen Air Force Base June 17, 2006. Parked inside was a B-2 bomber surrounded by security, while the F/A-18C Hornet, the F-16 Falcon, and two F-15E Eagles were parked just outside. More than 40 members from different countries all over the world to include China, Australia, Japan, India, Singapore, Republic of Korea and Russia are observing this exercise exhibiting U.S. capabilities and interoperability while working together as a joint force. During the briefing, Navy CAPT Dean Kiyohara, officer in charge of this program briefed to the observers that the exercise enhances joint war-fighting proficiency and allows the joint task force commander to respond to regional contingencies in the Asia-Pacific region to assure peace and stability. The observers are presently aboard one of three aircraft carriers: USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael S. Dorus)

TUMON, Guam (June 17, 2006) - Thirty-three foreign dignitaries from 7 countries arrived June 16, to observe Valiant Shield 2006, one of the largest joint-military exercises in the pacific in more than a decade.

Dignitaries from Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and Singapore are here to observe the U.S. Pacific Command exercise which involves approximately 22,000 Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Soldiers and Coast Guardsmen.

A training exercise designed to test the military's ability to rapidly assemble a joint force in response to any contingency, Valiant Shield focuses on integrated joint training and interoperability while responding to a range of mission scenarios.

June 17, the 33 observers toured Andersen Air Force Base and received photo-opportunities alongside Air Force and Marine Corps aircraft including the B-2 bomber, as well as several the F-15C, F-15E and F/A-18C fighters.

Following the tour of Andersen Air Force Base, the dignitaries departed for overnight embarks on one of three U.S. Navy aircraft carriers.

While aboard the different carriers, the observers will see day and night time flight operations, air crew survival and maintenance demonstrations, static displays of aircraft and tours of the ships' bridge, flight deck, combat direction center and hangar bay.

June 19, the dignitaries will travel to Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base where they will observe demonstrations by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit Five, Mobile Security Squadron Seven, as well as touring the Combat Readiness Group and viewing flightline operations.