U.S. and Japanese forces practiced deploying expeditionary advanced bases that could be used to seize and defend disputed islands, according to Stars and Stripes.
The annual Resolute Dragon drills were held on Okinawa and Kyushu. Their main purpose was to train island-defense operations and improve tactical coordination between the units involved.
According to the publication, the scenario involved small mobile units operating within range of enemy missiles to capture and hold islands, as well as to destroy hostile ships.
The drills involved about 90 U. S. Marines and 300 members of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force. The troops conducted live-fire exercises using small arms and mortars. Japanese Type 19 self-propelled howitzers and Type 16 combat vehicles were also used during the maneuvers.
To detect the simulated enemy, the forces deployed Neros Archer FPV drones and Stalker VXE30 reconnaissance UAVs equipped with infrared surveillance systems.
Military representatives from the United Kingdom, the Philippines, France and Australia attended the exercises as observers.