U.S. Navy aircraft, assigned to Carrier Air Wing 5, and U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs fly over the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group as it sails in formation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as part of Exercise Valiant Shield 2026, while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 21, 2026. Exercises like Valiant Shield allow U.S. Pacific Command the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service with allies to conduct precise, lethal and overwhelming multidomain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the joint force.