U.S., Indian Army Snipers Train on Long-Range Marksmanship

Sept. 25, 2026 | By Army Maj. Ian Roth, 11th Airborne Division |

U.S. and Indian Army snipers trained on the sniper firing range Sept. 22, near Auli, India, during Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, engaging targets out to 580 meters with the Indian Army's Sako TRG rifle chambered in the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge.

Sniper teams paired U.S. and Indian Army soldiers together throughout the training, which began with basic zeroing of the rifle before progressing to shots ranging from 500 to 580 meters in wooded terrain, followed by additional engagements around 520 meters on flatter ground, said Army Sgt. 1st Class Dylan Tinkey, recon platoon sergeant assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division.

Tinkey said he is familiar with the Indian rifle after completing a 25-day subject-matter expert exchange earlier this year at the Indian Army Sniper School in Mhow, India.

"I really do love the rifle," Tinkey said. "If you compare it to the Mark 22, it's very similar. We can change the barrel on our Mark 22, and it's also chambered in .338 Lapua."

Tinkey said he is working to have soldiers in his sniper section lead more of the instruction themselves rather than relying solely on his experience in Mhow.

"What I'm striving to do is have guys in the sniper section do more of the teaching," Tinkey said. "I had a younger guy with me, a specialist, who's punching a little above his weight. I had him come to the sniper school with me, so he's familiar with the rifle, and I want to see him teach it more, so he can develop himself and his juniors. If I have to step in, I absolutely will."

Tinkey said the shooter-spotter process translated easily between the two armies, with only minor communication differences.

"It's pretty universal as far as corrections," Tinkey said. "We use mil corrections, and the communication is pretty much the same. Just minor differences."

Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 is the 22nd iteration of the annual U.S. Army Pacific-sponsored bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Indian armies. The exercise is scheduled to conclude Sept. 27, with a formal closing ceremony.

Since 2004, Yudh Abhyas, an Army Pacific-sponsored bilateral exercise with the Indian Army, has enhanced combined interoperability and strengthened the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

United States Department of War and Mongolia's Ministry of Defense Conduct Bilateral Defense Framework

Sept. 8, 2026 |

On September 8, 2026, Mr. Alvaro Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War (DASW) for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, led the annual U.S.-Mongolia Bilateral Defense Framework (BDF) with Major General Gankhuyag Davagdorj of Mongolia's Ministry of Defense (MoD).

DASW Smith and Major General Gankhuyag identified a structured roadmap for increasing Mongolia's defense spending over the next five years, ensuring that U.S. security cooperation assistance aligns with U.S. interests and Mongolia's defense requirements. They also discussed practical ways to enhance the Mongolian Armed Forces' capabilities and readiness, expand combined military exercises, and strengthen Mongolia's defense industrial base.

DASW Smith commended Mongolia for its critical contributions to the Board of Peace and Haiti Gang Suppression Force. He emphasized that Mongolia's Strategic Third Neighbor Partnership with the United States remains vital to the defense relationship.

U.S., Brunei Forces Build Readiness, Trust During Exercise Pahlawan Warrior

Aug. 25, 2026 | By Army Sgt. Danielle Rayon, Oklahoma National Guard |

U.S. soldiers and Oklahoma National Guardsmen partnered with Royal Brunei Land Forces soldiers to sharpen their skills during Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26 at Tutong Camp, Brunei, Aug. 11-21, increasing readiness through shared tactics, jungle training and relationship-building.

Pahlawan Warrior 26 brought approximately 130 U.S. personnel to Brunei for the biennial exercise under Operation Pathways. Led by the 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment, Oklahoma National Guard, U.S. participants trained alongside Bruneian counterparts in tactical operations and subject matter expert exchanges spanning cyber defense, medical operations and public affairs.

Throughout the exercise, each force brought its own experience to the training, creating opportunities to compare techniques, share expertise and adapt lessons from one another to their own formations.

"For me, leadership requires adaptability," said Royal Brunei Land Forces Lt. Col. Mohammad Sufrien bin Johan. "We are not here to determine which method is better, which country does better, but to identify what works, why it works and how it can be adapted to our respective forces."

The exchange was evident throughout the exercise, with U.S. and Bruneian personnel sharing their expertise, while tactical training allowed each force to bring its own strengths to the table — from U.S. experience in live-fire range operations to RBLF expertise in jungle operations.

"Our soldiers have showed a lot of grit, but the Royal Brunei Land Forces go through this like they do it every day, because they do," said U.S. Army Maj. Kent Turner, commander of U.S. personnel during the exercise. "Their ability to navigate on different analog systems and go from one hilltop to the other at a rapid pace is just amazing."

That experience also gave RBLF leaders an opportunity to see how U.S. soldiers adapted to an unfamiliar environment.

"[They] are highly adaptable, resilient and ready to thrive anywhere, side by side with the troops of the Royal Brunei Land Forces on the exact opposite side of the globe," said RBLF Col. Erwan bin Haji Ibrahim.

Working through those challenges together did more than build tactical proficiency. Integrating U.S. and Bruneian soldiers at the small-unit level gave them opportunities to understand how their counterparts communicate and operate while developing relationships.

"They really are becoming friends," Turner said. "I'm sure that some of the people, when they leave, they will remain in contact with them throughout. And what that's done is, it's picked up both sides, Royal Brunei [Land Forces] and also with our U.S. forces. Everybody is excited to be here."

That trust also created an environment where junior leaders were expected to adapt, make decisions and lead through the challenges of unfamiliar terrain and limited communications.

"We want to test the junior leadership in terms of decision-making," Sufrien bin Johan said. "For the soldiers, it's about the communication, coordination and understanding. ... The major focus here is so that they understand each other's procedures and try to adapt it into a realistic tactical situation."

For Oklahoma National Guard leaders, those lessons extended beyond tactical decision-making to the challenges of moving, supporting and leading a formation thousands of miles from home.

"It's much different than being a junior leader back in Oklahoma for a drill weekend," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Colby Wyatt, Oklahoma National Guard joint staff director. "Now you're having to travel all the way around the world, communicate with people who speak a different language, and you're not just leading — there's an operational piece, there's a logistical piece. They learn at such a faster pace, and then they're able to take that information back to their unit and train those that maybe didn't get to make the trip."

The relationships developed throughout Pahlawan Warrior 26 extended beyond formal training. U.S. soldiers learned Malay phrases, Bruneian soldiers picked up Oklahoma slang, and participants exchanged patches, shared meals and spent time getting to know each other.

"I sincerely hope our Oklahoman friends had at least a little time to explore the beauty of Brunei Darussalam and taste our local food," Haji Ibrahim said. "The true value of Pahlawan Warrior is in the human connection. Lifelong friendships have been forged here. I hope this experience inspires [U.S. service members] to return to this region in the future."

Those relationships built at the individual level also contributed to the exercise's broader strategic purpose.

"It's really a tactical operation with strategic impact," Wyatt said. "We can take soldiers at the tactical level, put them into an environment like this, and they can gain the training that they need. But the strategic impact is what it means for the United States and for our soldiers to have a relationship with another country."

For Sufrien bin Johan, those personal connections contributed to an outcome that lasts beyond the individual training events or even the exercise itself.

"Our mission with Pahlawan Warrior is to contribute to a sustained and mature defense relationship between Brunei Darussalam and the United States of America," he said. "Beyond that, the real measurement of success is not only during this one exercise, but the trust and coordination between both nations and our commitment toward peace and stability in the region."

The relationship between the Oklahoma National Guard and Brunei has grown since Oklahoma National Guardsmen first participated in Pahlawan Warrior in 2024. The connections developed during this iteration continued that training at the tactical, operational and strategic levels.

USS Theodore Roosevelt Hosts International Helicopter Exchange

June 29, 2026 | By Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet |

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt hosted more than 45 international partners from eight countries during an international helicopter warfighter exchange at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 27, 2029, as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific.

During the visit, military pilots from the U.S., South Korea, Italy, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Mexico compared procedures, discussed aviation challenges and strengthened relationships. The event was designed to build trust, improve communication and support cooperation among the different countries.

"We're privileged to host the international helicopter exchange aboard the Theodore Roosevelt," said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Andrew Poulin, USS Theodore Roosevelt strike operations officer. "It's a great opportunity to showcase naval aviation and work with our partners from different countries."

Sailors assigned to the Roosevelt highlighted flight deck procedures, launch and recovery operations and the coordination required to operate aircraft safely, while visiting sailors observed how U.S. embarked aviation units work in unison.

"It's been a great experience for helicopter pilots to exchange ideas, share flight experiences, learn about different cultures and get to know more people," said Peruvian Navy Cmdr. Antonio Gonzáles.

During the exchange, visiting sailors were taken to the hangar bay, flight deck and navigation spaces. The locations on the tour route all play a role in flight operations aboard the Theodore Roosevelt.

"We're grateful for the opportunity to participate in exercises like this, which allow us to improve our tactical skills and build relationships with other navies," said Mexican Navy Lt. j.g. Francisco Valencia.

The Roosevelt is participating in Rimpac to enhance readiness, strengthen partnerships and support regional security across the Indo-Pacific region. Thirty nations, over 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 206 aircraft and 30,000 personnel are participating in the exercise taking place in and around the Hawaiian Islands from June 24-July 31.

The world's largest international maritime exercise, Rimpac provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. This year's exercise is the 30th iteration in the series that began in 1971.

Allies Come Together in the Indo-Pacific for Exercise Valiant Shield 26

June 22, 2026 | By Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet |

U.S. Pacific Command joint forces, along with allied and partner forces, kicked off Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 today in the Indo-Pacific region. 

The training exercise will run until July 1 and take place in the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Japan and at sea around the Mariana Islands Range Complex. 

Valiant Shield 26 is a multinational, biennial field training exercise focused on integrating interoperability training in a multidomain environment. This training builds real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, in space, on land and in cyberspace. 

Exercises such as VS26 enable all U.S. forces and allies across the Indo-Pacific region to integrate and train in precise, lethal and overwhelming scenarios that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the joint and combined force.  

With the involvement of U.S. Space Command and U.S. Transportation Command, VS26 is expanding the multidomain, cross-combatant command collaboration required for any large-scale exercise or operation. The exercise prepares the joint and combined force to rapidly respond to crises and contingencies across the spectrum of operations — from humanitarian assistance and disaster response to armed conflict. 

"Valiant Shield demonstrates our enduring commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," said Navy Adm. Steve Koehler, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet. "Exercising advanced multidomain capabilities with our allies ensures we continue to seamlessly innovate and operate together, project combat power together and prevail over any challenge — together." 

The exercise assists U.S., allied and partner forces in developing regional and global power projection capabilities. Integrated training provides a full range of options to succeed in the defense of U.S. interests and those of like-minded nations around the world. 

This year marks the 11th iteration of Exercise Valiant Shield, which began in 2006. It is also the second time the Japan Self-Defense Forces has been heavily integrated in the planning and execution.   

Since 2024, Valiant Shield has become a multilateral joint field training exercise, further integrating allies and partners into the multidomain environment. While it started as a unilateral U.S. exercise, it has evolved to meet the demands of the security environment, incorporating new technologies and strategies.

Senior Air Force Leader Recounts Recent Successes, Underscores Need to Outpace Adversaries

 Sept. 22, 2025 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

During a keynote address at the Air and Space Forces Association's Air, Space and Cyber Conference at National Harbor, Maryland, today, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin spoke of the service's recent successes — both real-world and exercise-based — while also underscoring the importance of keeping a winning pace when facing our nation's adversaries. 

Allvin led off his remarks discussing the complexity of the Air Force's successful execution of Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 21 mission during which numerous Air Force assets inflicted significant damage on Iran's nuclear program at three separate sites. 

Regarding that mission, Allvin said it wasn't just the precision of the weapons and capabilities that stood out, but it was also the airmen who handled the complexity of the operation with great skill and professionalism. 

"It was a complex and imaginative mission that was designed, but with that complexity came unforeseen issues that came up in front of our airmen — over and over and over again," Allvin said. 

"And, in a story that will never really, truly be told in public, our airmen were unbelievable," he continued, adding that Air Force personnel properly assessed risk, understood what their roles were and knew what it would take to execute the mission successfully.  

Allvin also spoke highly of Exercise Resolute Force Pacific, a large-scale event conducted July 10-Aug. 8, which he described as the largest Air Force-led exercise in the Indo-Pacific region since the Cold War. 

"What set this exercise apart was the scope and the scale and the complexity [involving] transitioning from the types of fights we've done to the types of fights we don't want to have to do, but need to prevail [in] if we do," Allvin said.  

While discussing the Air Force's current state of readiness, Allvin said it's essential to constantly be asking whether the service is going fast enough and reaching deep enough to meet the challenges of the day. 

"In this environment, with the consequences on the other side of it, we have to beware of the familiar [and] be cautious about the warm blanket of the comfortable," Allvin said, adding that it's necessary to keep up a quick pace of readiness because U.S. adversaries aren't slowing down.

To illustrate his point, Allvin circled back to Operation Midnight Hammer, stating that, in the aftermath of the operation, Iran likely went straight to work on fortifying its nuclear program and making it less vulnerable to attack. 

"You can believe they probably got after it immediately … and we've got to respond to that," Allvin said.  

Returning to the topic of pacing, Allvin said merely moving at the "speed of relevance" is not adequate enough to meet present-day challenges. 

"Last time I checked, our mission says 'fly, fight and win.' … So, if you want to know what the pace is, that's the pace. We have to move out at the pace to win, and if we're not getting there, then we need to find another gear," he said. 

Allvin ended his remarks by calling himself an optimist, saying he believes the Air Force will continue to keep the pace to win because of the constant influx of talented, skilled, innovative and ready airmen who are consistently joining the ranks on a regular basis. 

He also praised industry partners and entrepreneurs who are working to deliver the materiel the Air Force needs. 

"And what the nation needs is one Air Force, integrated, aligned, focused [and] ready to fight; the nation needs more Air Force [with] more capability, more capacity [and] more options for the president; and the nation needs your Air Force moving out at a pace to win," Allvin concluded.