Exercise Bushido Guardian 2025 has begun in Japan with approximately 130 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aviators participating in the exercise from 29 September to 10 October.
Wing Commander Mark Biele, Commanding Officer No. 3 Squadron, said the activities conducted during the exercise were designed to test and improve force integration, as well as strengthening our partnerships.
“No. 3 Squadron is one of four squadrons operating the F-35A Lightning II, and we are honoured to participate in Exercise Bushido Guardian, hosted at Misawa Air Force Base in Japan,” Wing Commander Biele said.
Exercise Bushido Guardian 25 is a trilateral exercise between the RAAF, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the United States Air Force (USAF), focused on enhancing interoperability through air combat training.
“Interoperability is key. We are excited to take to the sky with aircraft from Japan and the United States, sharing experience and strengthening aviator to aviator relationships between our nations," Wing Commander Biele stated.
“Trilateral defence cooperation between Australia, Japan and the United States is an important pillar of regional security that upholds a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”
The exercise will be based at Misawa Air Force Base and involve eight RAAF F-35A Lightning II aircraft from No. 3 Squadron flying alongside Japanese and US aircraft.
The exercise will provide an opportunity to deepen the strategic partnership between Australia, Japan and the United States by fostering closer understanding, friendship and rapport between aviators at all levels.
Ahead of the exercise, RAAF F-35A Lightning II aircraft, alongside Japan Air Self-Defense Force and USAF jets, have conducted a trilateral activity to reaffirm their commitment to regional stability and security and to bolster collective deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
At the last Exercise Bushido Guardian in 2023, six RAAF F-35As of No. 75 Squadron were deployed to Komatsu Air Base in Japan from 4 to 15 September 2023. It was the first iteration of the exercise to be conducted through the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) which came into force on 13 August 2023.