Navy Archives - Alert 5

Japan to conduct first domestic anti-ship missile test in Hokkaido

Posted on May 15, 2025 by alert5

Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) will conduct its first domestic drill involving long-range surface-to-ship missiles between Jun. 24 and 29, as the nation seeks to bolster its ability to address maritime threats, particularly amid China’s expanding naval activities. The GSDF announced on May 13 that the exercise will be held at the missile range next to Camp Shizunai on the southern coast of Hokkaido, with nonexplosive Type 88 missiles to be fired at a target in the Pacific within a 40-kilometer radius southwest of the launch site.

防衛省, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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U.S. Navy and JMSDF hold first Joint Electronic Warfare Exercise under FUJIN agreement

Posted on April 11, 2025 by alert5

The U.S. Navy’s expeditionary Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131, operating under Task Force 70, conducted a bilateral electronic warfare exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) on Apr. 3, south of Okinawa, Japan.

PHILIPPINE SEA (April 3, 2025) E/A-18G Growlers from the expeditionary Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131 are seen from the cockpit of a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) UP-3D aircraft during the Fujin bilateral training exercise, April 3, 2025. The planning and execution of the exercise came after the JMSDF Commander, Fleet Air Force (CFAF), and U.S. Navy’s Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, signed the Fujin memorandum of understanding to increase bilateral operations between the forces’ electronic attack squadrons in December 2024. (Courtesy photo)

U.S. to deploy MQ-4C in Japan for indefinite period

Posted on April 9, 2025April 9, 2025 by alert5

The United States military will deploy several MQ-4C Triton surveillance drones to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture for an indefinite period, Japanese defense officials announced Apr. 8. The unmanned aircraft are expected to begin operations within weeks, following a previous temporary deployment last year from May to October.

A U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton with Unmanned Patrol
Squadron 19 (VUP-19) departs Marine Corp Air Station
Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 5, 2022. Due to its geographic
location and co-located airfield and harbor, MCAS
Iwakuni is uniquely postured to provide advanced naval
integration in support of regional security. (U.S. Marine
Corps photo by Cpl. Mitchell Austin)

NAWCAD achieves fifth-generation integration milestone with F-35 and F-22 Joint Training

Posted on April 2, 2025April 2, 2025 by alert5

In a significant advancement for U.S. joint military operations, Marine Corps F-35 and Air Force F-22 pilots trained together for the first time in the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s (NAWCAD) Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River during the last week of March 2025.

Indonesia eyes Italian aircraft carrier for naval modernization

Posted on March 7, 2025 by alert5

In February, we reported that the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) was considering acquiring an aircraft carrier to modernize its fleet. Admiral Muhammad Ali, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, stated that the rationale behind this potential acquisition is primarily for non-combat military operations (OMSP), including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and maritime security operations. This acquisition aligns with the TNI AL’s objective to modernize its fleet.

Photo: LPhot Barry Swainsbury/MOD, OGL v1.0OGL v1.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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