# Exercise Valiant Shield

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[Template:Short description](/source/Template%3AShort_description&action=edit&redlink=1)

[File:Valiantshield06seal.png](/source/File%3AValiantshield06seal.png)
Official Seal of Valiant Shield 2006

[File:B-52 and FA-18 aircraft flying over the Carrier Strike Group Five during Valiant Shield 2018.jpg](/source/File%3AB-52_and_FA-18_aircraft_flying_over_the_Carrier_Strike_Group_Five_during_Valiant_Shield_2018.jpg)
B-52 and F/A-18 aircraft flying over the [Carrier Strike Group Five](/source/Carrier_Strike_Group_5&action=edit&redlink=1) during Valiant Shield 2018

[File:Valiant Shield formation.jpg](/source/File%3AValiant_Shield_formation.jpg)
A B-52 Stratofortress leads a formation of Air Force and Navy F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-15 Eagles, and F-18 Hornets over the USS Kitty Hawk, USS Nimitz and USS John C. Stennis Strike Groups during Valiant Shield 2007.

**Exercise Valiant Shield** is one of the largest [United States military](/source/United_States_military&action=edit&redlink=1) [war games](/source/Military_exercise&action=edit&redlink=1) held in the [Pacific Ocean](/source/Pacific_Ocean&action=edit&redlink=1). Nine Valiant Shield exercises were conducted between 2006 and 2022.[1] According to the [Navy](/source/United_States_Navy&action=edit&redlink=1), Valiant Shield focuses on cooperation between military branches and on the detection, tracking, and engagement of units at sea, in the air, and on land in response to a wide range of missions.[2]

The first exercise in 2006 involved 22,000 personnel, 280 aircraft, and 30 ships, including the [supercarriers](/source/Supercarriers&action=edit&redlink=1) [Template:USS](/source/Template%3AUSS&action=edit&redlink=1), [Template:USS](/source/Template%3AUSS&action=edit&redlink=1), and [Template:USS](/source/Template%3AUSS&action=edit&redlink=1). It was the largest military exercise to be conducted by the United States in Pacific waters since the [Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War&action=edit&redlink=1), and it was also the first time observers from the [People's Republic of China](/source/People's_Republic_of_China&action=edit&redlink=1) were allowed to view U.S. wargames. The exercise marked the first of what will become biennial exercises involving different branches of the U.S. military.

Valiant Shield 2006 included Navy, [Air Force](/source/United_States_Air_Force&action=edit&redlink=1), [Marine Corps](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps&action=edit&redlink=1), and Coast Guard units. Air operations included thousands of sorties as well as in-air refuelings and parachute deployments. Aircraft from Valiant Shield deployed on missions ranging across the Pacific all the way to [Alaska](/source/Alaska&action=edit&redlink=1). Ships simulated anti-submarine warfare. Valiant Shield 2006 was the first time that three carrier strike groups had operated together in the Pacific in over ten years. Forces exercised a wide range of skills, including maritime interdiction; defense counter-air; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and command and control.[3]

## Contents

- [1 Observers](#Observers)

- [2 Participating forces](#Participating_forces) - [2.1 United States Navy](#United_States_Navy) - [2.1.1 Carrier Strike Group Five/Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group](#Carrier_Strike_Group_Five/Kitty_Hawk_Carrier_Strike_Group) - [2.1.2 Carrier Strike Group Nine/Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group](#Carrier_Strike_Group_Nine/Abraham_Lincoln_Carrier_Strike_Group) - [2.1.3 Carrier Strike Group Seven/Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group](#Carrier_Strike_Group_Seven/Ronald_Reagan_Carrier_Strike_Group) - [2.1.4 Other Navy Units](#Other_Navy_Units) - [2.2 United States Air Force](#United_States_Air_Force) - [2.2.1 13th Air Force/Kenney Headquarters (PACAF)](#13th_Air_Force/Kenney_Headquarters_(PACAF)) - [2.2.2 Fifth Air Force](#Fifth_Air_Force) - [2.2.3 Eighth Air Force](#Eighth_Air_Force) - [2.2.4 11th Air Force (PACAF)](#11th_Air_Force_(PACAF)) - [2.2.5 Eighteenth Air Force](#Eighteenth_Air_Force) - [2.2.6 New York Air National Guard](#New_York_Air_National_Guard) - [2.3 United States Marine Corps](#United_States_Marine_Corps) - [2.4 United States Coast Guard](#United_States_Coast_Guard)

- [3 References](#References)

- [4 External links](#External_links)

## Observers

[File:Valiant Shield - Observers from China at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam.jpg](/source/File%3AValiant_Shield_-_Observers_from_China_at_Andersen_Air_Force_Base_on_Guam.jpg)
Observers from China at [Andersen Air Force Base](/source/Andersen_Air_Force_Base&action=edit&redlink=1) on [Guam](/source/Guam&action=edit&redlink=1)

Observers from the Chinese [People's Liberation Army Navy](/source/People's_Liberation_Army_Navy&action=edit&redlink=1) were invited to attend, as were naval officers from [India](/source/Military_of_India&action=edit&redlink=1), [Singapore](/source/Military_of_Singapore&action=edit&redlink=1), [Japan](/source/Japan_Maritime_Self-Defense_Force&action=edit&redlink=1), [Australia](/source/Military_of_Australia&action=edit&redlink=1), [South Korea](/source/Military_of_South_Korea&action=edit&redlink=1), [Russia](/source/Military_of_Russia&action=edit&redlink=1), [Indonesia](/source/Military_of_Indonesia&action=edit&redlink=1), and [Malaysia](/source/Military_of_Malaysia&action=edit&redlink=1). It was the first time observers from the People's Republic of China had ever been sent to observe U.S. war games.[4] China sent a ten-person delegation, including one high-ranking officer each from its navy, army, and air force, as well as officials from its foreign ministry.[5] According to *[USA Today](/source/USA_Today&action=edit&redlink=1)*, Chinese military observers said that observing the exercises gave them a better understanding of U.S. weapons and tactics. [Rear Admiral](/source/Rear_Admiral&action=edit&redlink=1) Zhang Leiyu, leader of the delegation, called the visit to the war games near Guam "a positive step in China-U.S. military ties."

Military ties between the United States and China have not been close ever since a [communist](/source/Communism&action=edit&redlink=1) government came to power in China. Admiral [William J. Fallon](/source/William_J._Fallon&action=edit&redlink=1), the top U.S. commander in the Pacific, said it was "a start" that China accepted his invitation to observe the large-scale exercises.[6] Fallon indicated before the exercises began that he expected China to reciprocate. However, neither Zhang or the Xinhua report gave any indication that such an invitation was forthcoming.[7]

The exercise had implications for other world events as well, including acting as a show of force to possibly deter [North Korea](/source/Military_of_North_Korea&action=edit&redlink=1) from test-firing its new [Taepodong-2](/source/Taepodong-2&action=edit&redlink=1) missile.[8]

## Participating forces

[File:Valiant Shield - US Kitty Hawk kicks off operations.jpg](/source/File%3AValiant_Shield_-_US_Kitty_Hawk_kicks_off_operations.jpg)
[Template:USS](/source/Template%3AUSS&action=edit&redlink=1) during the exercise, with fighter and bomber planes flying overhead

The following U.S. forces participated in Valiant Shield 2006:[9]

- Joint Task Force 519 staff, [Pearl Harbor](/source/Pearl_Harbor&action=edit&redlink=1), [Hawaii](/source/Hawaii&action=edit&redlink=1)

- Joint Task Force 519 Joint Force Air Component Command, [Kenney Headquarters](/source/Thirteenth_Air_Force&action=edit&redlink=1), [Hickam AFB](/source/Hickam_Air_Force_Base&action=edit&redlink=1), Hawaii

- Joint Task Force 519 Joint Force Maritime Component Command, aboard [Template:USS](/source/Template%3AUSS&action=edit&redlink=1)

[File:Valiant Shield - attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713)-periscope reading on the SS Petersburg T-AOT 5075.jpg](/source/File%3AValiant_Shield_-_attack_submarine_USS_Houston_(SSN_713)-periscope_reading_on_the_SS_Petersburg_T-AOT_5075.jpg)
Attack submarine [USS *Houston*, (SSN-713)](/source/USS_Houston_(SSN-713)&action=edit&redlink=1) takes [periscope](/source/Periscope&action=edit&redlink=1) reading on the [SS *Petersburg*, (T-AOT-9101)](/source/SS_Petersburg_(T-AOT-9101)&action=edit&redlink=1).

### United States Navy

#### Carrier Strike Group Five/Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group

- [USS *Kitty Hawk*, (CV-63)](/source/USS_Kitty_Hawk_(CV-63)&action=edit&redlink=1), [United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka](/source/United_States_Fleet_Activities_Yokosuka&action=edit&redlink=1), [Japan](/source/Japan&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5)](/source/CVW-5&action=edit&redlink=1), [Naval Air Facility Atsugi](/source/Naval_Air_Facility_Atsugi&action=edit&redlink=1), Japan

- [USS *Cowpens*, (CG-63)](/source/USS_Cowpens_(CG-63)&action=edit&redlink=1), Yokosuka, Japan

- [USS *John S. McCain*, (DDG-56)](/source/USS_John_S._McCain_(DDG-56)&action=edit&redlink=1), Yokosuka, Japan

- [USS *Vandegrift*, (FFG-48)](/source/USS_Vandegrift_(FFG-48)&action=edit&redlink=1), Yokosuka, Japan

- [USS *Lassen*, (DDG-82)](/source/USS_Lassen_(DDG-82)&action=edit&redlink=1), Yokosuka, Japan

- [USS *Curtis Wilbur*, (DDG-54)](/source/USS_Curtis_Wilbur_(DDG-54)&action=edit&redlink=1), Yokosuka, Japan

- [USS *Fitzgerald*, (DDG-62)](/source/USS_Fitzgerald_(DDG-62)&action=edit&redlink=1), Yokosuka, Japan

[File:Valiant Shield - B2 Stealth bomber from Missouri leads ariel formation.jpg](/source/File%3AValiant_Shield_-_B2_Stealth_bomber_from_Missouri_leads_ariel_formation.jpg)
[B-2 Spirit](/source/B-2_Spirit&action=edit&redlink=1) stealth bomber from Missouri leads aerial formation.

#### [Carrier Strike Group Nine/Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group](/source/Carrier_Strike_Group_Nine&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [USS *Abraham Lincoln*, (CVN-72)](/source/USS_Abraham_Lincoln_(CVN-72)&action=edit&redlink=1), [Naval Station Everett](/source/Naval_Station_Everett&action=edit&redlink=1), Wash.

- [Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2)](/source/CVW-2&action=edit&redlink=1), [Naval Air Station Lemoore](/source/Naval_Air_Station_Lemoore&action=edit&redlink=1), [California](/source/California&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [USS *Mobile Bay*, (CG-53)](/source/USS_Mobile_Bay_(CG-53)&action=edit&redlink=1), [Naval Station San Diego](/source/Naval_Station_San_Diego&action=edit&redlink=1), Calif.

- [USS *Shoup*, (DDG-86)](/source/USS_Shoup_(DDG-86)&action=edit&redlink=1), Everett, Wash.

- [USS *Russell*, (DDG-59)](/source/USS_Russell_(DDG-59)&action=edit&redlink=1) [Pearl Harbor](/source/Pearl_Harbor&action=edit&redlink=1), [Hawaii](/source/Hawaii&action=edit&redlink=1)

[File:B-2 leading Valiant Shield.jpg](/source/File%3AB-2_leading_Valiant_Shield.jpg)
A B-2 Spirit leading the [Template:USS](/source/Template%3AUSS&action=edit&redlink=1), [Template:USS](/source/Template%3AUSS&action=edit&redlink=1), and the [Template:USS](/source/Template%3AUSS&action=edit&redlink=1) carrier strike groups

#### Carrier Strike Group Seven/Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group

- [USS *Ronald Reagan*, (CVN-76)](/source/USS_Ronald_Reagan_(CVN-76)&action=edit&redlink=1), San Diego, Calif.

- [Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14)](/source/CVW-14&action=edit&redlink=1), Lemoore, Calif.

- [USS *Decatur*, (DDG-73)](/source/USS_Decatur_(DDG-73)&action=edit&redlink=1), San Diego, Calif.

- [USS *Lake Champlain*, (CG-57)](/source/USS_Lake_Champlain_(CG-57)&action=edit&redlink=1), San Diego, Calif.

- [USS *McCampbell*, (DDG-85)](/source/USS_McCampbell_(DDG-85)&action=edit&redlink=1), San Diego, Calif.

- [USNS *Rainier*, (T-AOE-7)](/source/USNS_Rainier_(T-AOE-7)&action=edit&redlink=1), [Naval Base Bremerton](/source/Naval_Base_Kitsap&action=edit&redlink=1), [Washington](/source/Washington_(U.S._state)&action=edit&redlink=1)

#### Other Navy Units

- [USS *Blue Ridge*, (LCC-19)](/source/USS_Blue_Ridge_(LCC-19)&action=edit&redlink=1), Yokosuka, Japan

- [USS *Houston*, (SSN-713)](/source/USS_Houston_(SSN-713)&action=edit&redlink=1), Guam

- [USS *Honolulu*, (SSN-718)](/source/USS_Honolulu_(SSN-718)&action=edit&redlink=1), Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

- USS Hampton, (SSN-767)

- USS Key West, (SSN-722)

- [USS *City of Corpus Christi*, (SSN-705)](/source/USS_City_of_Corpus_Christi_(SSN-705)&action=edit&redlink=1), [Guam](/source/Guam&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [USS *Tucson*, (SSN-770)](/source/USS_Tucson_(SSN-770)&action=edit&redlink=1), Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

- [USS *Frank Cable* (AS-40), Apra Harbor, Guam](/source/USS_Frank_Cable_(AS-40)&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [USNS *Impeccable*, (T-AGS-23)](/source/USNS_Impeccable_(T-AGOS-23)&action=edit&redlink=1)

- RV Cory Chouest

- [MV PFC *James Anderson Jr.*, (T-AK-3002)](/source/MV_PFC_James_Anderson_Jr._(T-AK-3002)&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [MV MAJ *Bernard F. Fisher*, (T-AK-4396)](/source/MV_Maj_Bernard_F._Fisher_(T-AK-4396)&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [USNS *Watson*, (T-AKR-310)](/source/USNS_Watson_(T-AKR-310)&action=edit&redlink=1)

- SS *Cape Jacob*, (T-AK-5029)

- [SS *Petersburg*, (T-AOT-9101)](/source/SS_Petersburg_(T-AOT-9101)&action=edit&redlink=1)

- Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light 51 (HSL-51), [SH-60](/source/SH-60&action=edit&redlink=1) Detachments 1,2,3,4,6,11, Atsugi, Japan

- [VP-9](/source/VP-9&action=edit&redlink=1) (Patrol Squadron Nine), [P-3C](/source/P-3C&action=edit&redlink=1) Detachment, [Kaneohe, Hawaii](/source/Kaneohe%2C_Hawaii&action=edit&redlink=1)

- Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One, [EP-3](/source/Lockheed_EP-3&action=edit&redlink=1)E Detachment, [Misawa, Japan](/source/Misawa%2C_Aomori&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Strategic Communications Wing One](/source/Strategic_Communications_Wing_One&action=edit&redlink=1), [E-6 Mercury](/source/E-6_Mercury&action=edit&redlink=1) Detachment

[File:Vaiant Shield parachuters.jpg](/source/File%3AVaiant_Shield_parachuters.jpg)
Sailors from the Navy Special Warfare (NSW) community, [Explosive Ordnance Disposal](/source/Explosive_Ordnance_Disposal&action=edit&redlink=1) (EOD) technicians and [Navy SEALs](/source/Navy_SEALs&action=edit&redlink=1) conduct a static-line parachute jump off the coast of [Guam](/source/Guam&action=edit&redlink=1) from [HH-60H](/source/SH-60_Seahawk&action=edit&redlink=1) helicopters.

### United States Air Force

#### [13th Air Force/Kenney Headquarters (PACAF)](/source/Thirteenth_Air_Force&action=edit&redlink=1)

- Pacific Air Operations Center, [Hickam AFB, Hawaii](/source/Hickam_Air_Force_Base&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [36th Wing](/source/36th_Wing&action=edit&redlink=1), [Andersen AFB, Guam](/source/Andersen_Air_Force_Base&action=edit&redlink=1)

#### [Fifth Air Force](/source/Fifth_Air_Force&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [18th Wing](/source/18th_Wing&action=edit&redlink=1), [Kadena AB](/source/Kadena_Air_Base&action=edit&redlink=1), [Okinawa](/source/Okinawa_Island&action=edit&redlink=1), Japan ([F-15C](/source/F-15_Eagle&action=edit&redlink=1)/[KC-135](/source/KC-135_Stratotanker&action=edit&redlink=1)/E-3)

- [35th Fighter Wing](/source/35th_Fighter_Wing&action=edit&redlink=1), [Misawa AB](/source/Misawa_Air_Base&action=edit&redlink=1), Japan ([F-16](/source/F-16&action=edit&redlink=1)CJ)

#### [Eighth Air Force](/source/Eighth_Air_Force&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [509th Bomb Wing](/source/509th_Bomb_Wing&action=edit&redlink=1), [Whiteman AFB](/source/Whiteman_Air_Force_Base&action=edit&redlink=1), [Missouri](/source/Missouri&action=edit&redlink=1) ([B-2](/source/B-2_Spirit&action=edit&redlink=1))

#### [11th Air Force (PACAF)](/source/Eleventh_Air_Force&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [3rd Wing](/source/3d_Wing&action=edit&redlink=1), [Elmendorf AFB](/source/Elmendorf_Air_Force_Base&action=edit&redlink=1), [Alaska](/source/Alaska&action=edit&redlink=1) ([F-15E](/source/F-15E_Strike_Eagle&action=edit&redlink=1))

#### [Eighteenth Air Force](/source/Eighteenth_Air_Force&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [60th Air Mobility Wing](/source/60th_Air_Mobility_Wing&action=edit&redlink=1), [Travis AFB](/source/Travis_Air_Force_Base&action=edit&redlink=1) [California](/source/California&action=edit&redlink=1) ([KC-10](/source/KC-10_Extender&action=edit&redlink=1))

- [305th Air Mobility Wing](/source/305th_Air_Mobility_Wing&action=edit&redlink=1), [McGuire AFB](/source/McGuire_Air_Force_Base&action=edit&redlink=1) [New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey&action=edit&redlink=1) (KC-10)

#### [New York Air National Guard](/source/New_York_Air_National_Guard&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [107th Air Refueling Wing](/source/107th_Air_Refueling_Wing&action=edit&redlink=1), [Niagara Falls International Airport](/source/Niagara_Falls_International_Airport&action=edit&redlink=1) (KC-135)

[File:220531-M-LS844-1001.jpg](/source/File%3A220531-M-LS844-1001.jpg)
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan Romero, a motor vehicle operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, observes the offload of a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement in support of Valiant Shield 2022 on Palau, May 31, 2022. Exercises such as Valiant Shield enable real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Samuel C. Fletcher)

### United States Marine Corps

- [I Marine Expeditionary Force](/source/I_Marine_Expeditionary_Force&action=edit&redlink=1), [Camp Pendleton, California](/source/Camp_Pendleton%2C_California&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [III Marine Expeditionary Force](/source/III_Marine_Expeditionary_Force&action=edit&redlink=1), [Okinawa, Japan](/source/Okinawa_Island&action=edit&redlink=1)

### United States Coast Guard

- [USCGC *Galveston Island* (WPB-1349)](/source/USCGC_Galveston_Island_(WPB-1349)&action=edit&redlink=1), [Guam](/source/Guam&action=edit&redlink=1)

## References

1. [↑](#cite_ref-1) [Template:Cite web](/source/Template%3ACite_web&action=edit&redlink=1)

1. [↑](#cite_ref-navy1_2-0) [Template:Cite web](/source/Template%3ACite_web&action=edit&redlink=1)

1. [↑](#cite_ref-3) [Template:Cite web](/source/Template%3ACite_web&action=edit&redlink=1)

1. [↑](#cite_ref-CNN01_4-0) [Template:Cite news](/source/Template%3ACite_news&action=edit&redlink=1) [Template:Dead link](/source/Template%3ADead_link&action=edit&redlink=1)

1. [↑](#cite_ref-China_5-0) [Template:Cite news](/source/Template%3ACite_news&action=edit&redlink=1)

1. [↑](#cite_ref-6) [Template:Cite web](/source/Template%3ACite_web&action=edit&redlink=1)

1. [↑](#cite_ref-USA2_7-0) [Template:Cite news](/source/Template%3ACite_news&action=edit&redlink=1)

1. [↑](#cite_ref-8) [Template:Cite web](/source/Template%3ACite_web&action=edit&redlink=1)

1. [↑](#cite_ref-participants_9-0) [Template:Cite web](/source/Template%3ACite_web&action=edit&redlink=1)

## External links

[Template:Commons](/source/Template%3ACommons&action=edit&redlink=1)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Exercise Valiant Shield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise_Valiant_Shield) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise_Valiant_Shield?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.