US, Japan and Australia highlight strong partnership at Orient Shield 2026 opening ceremony

CHITOSE, Japan — U.S., Japanese and Australian troops opened Orient Shield 26 at Camp Higashi-Chitose on Sept. 17, bringing together about 3,700 personnel for the largest iteration of the annual Japan-based exercise since it began in 1982.

The trilateral training blends field exercises, multinational maneuver operations and HIMARS/GMLRS live-fire events to build formations capable of integrating fires, movement, sustainment and command-and-control across a complex, contested environment. It is designed to strengthen multinational relationships and demonstrate U.S. resolve to support the security interests of allies and partners in the Pacific region.

Coming two weeks after the conclusion of Exercise Yama Sakura, Orient Shield 26 continues momentum between U.S. and Japanese forces. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Northern Army, headquartered at Camp Sapporo in Hokkaido, is leading the JGSDF component, bringing operational capabilities and regional expertise to the training.

For the second consecutive year, the Australian Army is participating alongside U.S. Army units and the JGSDF. The Australian contingent includes officers and soldiers from the headquarters of the 1st (Australian) Division, the division’s combat brigades, the 17th Sustainment Brigade and the 10th Fires Brigade.

“Yama Sakura focused on the operational level,” said Colonel Matthew Adamczyk, 11th Airborne Division, Deputy Commander of Operations. “This exercise will execute at the tactical level and the field training environment.”

Adamczyk spoke at the opening ceremony alongside Major General Yoshiro Tanaka, commanding general of the Northern Army’s 11th Brigade, and Brigadier Corey Shilabeer of the Australian Army. “Each of us is eagerly awaiting the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Brig. Shilabeer during his opening remarks.

“Orient Shield 26 provides a tough, realistic, and demanding training environment that will challenge our ability to achieve shared understanding and a common operational picture,” said Col. Adamczyk. “It is clear that when we have shared understanding, we are collectively unstoppable.”

What began as a small, platoon-level drill in 1982 has grown into a major trilateral and multinational event. This 41st iteration adds new milestones: before the official opening, soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 11th Airborne Division and the JGSDF’s 1st Airborne Brigade conducted the first joint airborne operation in Orient Shield history on Sept. 15 at Kikyougahara Drop Zone in Hokkaido.

“Honestly, I think this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Spc. Ned Gilleland, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, who was one of the first Soldiers to jump during the joint airborne operation. “This is my first time ever being in Asia; I’m sure it’s the first time for a lot of my friends as well. To be able to jump in on day one was pretty neat; I can’t wait to see how they [JGSDF] conduct their field operations.”