Alert 5

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)

F-35A Frankenjet is now operational

Posted on April 11, 2025April 11, 2025 by alert5

The U.S. Air Force has successfully returned a reconstructed F-35A fighter jet to operational status after combining parts from two damaged aircraft, officials announced this week.

An F-35A Lightning II, known as “Frankenjet” and assigned to the 4th Fighter Generation Squadron, 388th Fighter Wing, returns to Hill Air Force Base on March 26, 2025. The aircraft previously underwent final maintenance at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas, before reentering operational service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Nathan Poblete)

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)

Japan simulated attacks on Chinese ships during Taiwan invasion scenario during Exercise Keen Edge 2024

Posted on April 8, 2025April 8, 2025 by alert5

Japan and the United States conducted a joint military exercise in February 2024 that simulated Japanese forces attacking Chinese vessels during a Taiwan invasion scenario, according to an exclusive report published by Sankei Shimbun on Apr. 6.

Members of United States Forces Japan, Japan Joint Staff, and Australian Defence Force coordinate plans during Exercise Keen Edge 24 at the Bilateral Joint Operations Coordination Center on Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 1, 2024. Historically a bilateral JJS and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercise that allows the United States and Japan to practice coordination procedures, this iteration will also include the participation of Australia for the first time, further highlighting the multinational commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. KE24 is scheduled to continue through to Feb. 8, one of many annual U.S.-Japan operations and exercises that increases readiness to respond to a variety of crises and contingencies, maintaining the Alliance as a credible deterrence in an increasingly complex threat environment.

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Wright

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Swedish Defence Materiel Administration signs contract for Thales Ground Master 200 radars

Posted on April 8, 2025April 8, 2025 by alert5

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Försvarets materielverk – FMV) has signed a contract with Thales for the delivery of Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radar systems (GM200 MM/C). The agreement, valued at approximately one billion Swedish kronor, was finalized on Apr. 3.

Photo: FMV
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