US, allies and partners conduct Pacific Dragon 2026 exercise

A biennial, multilateral ballistic missile defense and tactical data link information-sharing exercise led by U.S. 3rd Fleet ran in waters around the Hawaiian Islands from Aug. 6-13, 2026, bringing together allied and partner forces alongside the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.

“Pacific Dragon 2026 demonstrates the strength of our alliance and partnerships and our shared commitment to advancing integrated air and missile defense capabilities across the region,” said Vice Adm. Marc Miguez, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet. “Through this exercise our forces are strengthening interoperability, improving information sharing, and refining the tactics and procedures necessary to operate together in support of regional security and a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The exercise focused on improving interoperability among maritime forces through shared tactical data links and coordinated ballistic missile defense operations, sharpening tactics and procedures for regional integrated air and missile defense.

Participants came from the Maritime Theatre Missile Defense Forum and included Australia, Chile, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Spain, and the United States. Activities spanned in-port and underway phases, with in-port events centered on interoperability training, Pacific Integrated Air and Missile Defense Center instruction, and preparation for at-sea operations.

This iteration expanded multinational participation with the addition of Chile and Spain and introduced new operational elements, including a multi-mission event that integrated ballistic missile defense and broader integrated air and missile defense scenarios.

Participating assets included Royal Australian Navy Hobart-class destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG 42) and a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail; Chilean Navy Duke-class frigate Almirante Cochrane (FF-05); Italian Navy Paolo Thaon di Revel-class ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere (P434); Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kongō-class JS Kongo (DDG 173); Republic of Korea Navy Sejong the Great-class ROKS Jeongjo the Great (DDG 995); Spanish Navy Álvaro de Bazán-class SPS Álvaro de Bazán (F101); and U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125). U.S. air assets included the P-8A Poseidon, F/A-18 Hornets, MQ-9 Reaper, and BQM-177A sub-sonic aerial target aircraft.

USS Jack H. Lucas, the first Flight III destroyer of its class, operated with the Baseline 10 combat system and AN/SPY-6 radar, underscoring advances in integrated air and missile defense capabilities.

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the region and conducts realistic training across missions ranging from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Working with allies and partners, it maintains access, presence, and readiness to help preserve regional security.