Exercise Valiant Shield

Valiant Shield was a large-scale exercise of the armed forces of the United States, which took place in 2006, 2007 and 2010 in the Pacific in the region around the island of Guam. Participants were forces of the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The exercise should improve the cooperation of the armed services.

History

2006

Valiant Shield 2006 was held until 23 June of 19. At the exercise participated a total of approximately 22,000 soldiers of the various branches of the armed forces. The Navy was involved with three aircraft carrier battle groups to the carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV -63 ), USS Abraham Lincoln ( CVN -72) and USS Ronald Reagan ( CVN -76), a total of 30 ships. The Air Force and the Marine Corps used a 280 aircraft, the Coast Guard was involved with a cutter.

As an observer, the People's Republic of China was invited for the first time at a major U.S. exercise, which then abkommandierte 10 officers in the observer rod. The invitation was by Admiral William J. Fallon, then- commander of United States Pacific Command, pronounced to improve the military relations between the two countries on since the crash of an American reconnaissance plane and a Chinese Shenyang J -8 near the island of Hainan were a low point. Next sent six other countries bordering the Pacific observers to the maneuver.

2007

Valiant Shield, originally planned as a biennial exercise that took place in 2007, this time from 7 to 14 August. The involvement corresponded in number to the 2006, again three aircraft carriers were involved, in addition to the Kitty Hawk USS John C. Stennis time (CVN -74 ) and USS Nimitz (CVN -68).

2010

In September 2010, Valiant Shield was held between Palau and Guam. Participants were the battle groups to the USS Essex ( LHD 2) and USS George Washington ( CVN -73).