Overview

• Exercise Bushido Guardian 25 began on September 29 at Misawa Air Base and runs through October 10 with U.S., Japanese and Australian air forces participating.
• Roughly 350 U.S. Airmen are training alongside about 300 from the JASDF and 100 from the RAAF, with around 25 aircraft slated to fly 25 missions.
• Australia confirmed the deployment of about 130 aviators and eight F‑35A Lightning II jets from No. 3 Squadron for the exercise.
• Training features realistic, multi‑domain scenarios to ensure aircrews, maintainers and support teams can operate seamlessly together.
• Officials, including Col. Paul Davidson and Wing Commander Mark Biele, say the effort strengthens combined tactics, readiness and the trilateral partnership in the Indo‑Pacific.