US-Australian Forces Complete Air-Centric Military Exercises

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster cargo jet makes a landing during "Air Power Day" preview at U.S. Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek on Sept. 23, 2016. Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. and Australian air forces have just completed bilateral training exercises designed to build greater air cooperation between the military partners.

The move comes as democratic allies continue holding military exercises amid ongoing tensions in the Indo-Pacific.

Exercise Global Dexterity saw the U.S. Air Force (USAF), and Hawaii Air National Guard work with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at the RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, Australia in a series of air mobility missions involving the C-17A Globemaster III heavy transport aircraft.

“The purpose of exercise Global Dexterity is to provide a mobility air forces centric exercise where USAF and RAAF aircrews can cultivate integration and interoperability while training for a peer conflict,” said Maj. Joshua Moore, 15th Wing director of agile combat employment.

Moore said that representatives worked together on “peer conflict tactics, techniques, and procedures.”

“The advantages to integrating USAF and RAAF aircrew are countless, but the ones that stand out the most to me are sharing best practices, exchanging ideas, and the ability to operate as a singular crew force in conflict,” he added.

The major said that it was important for both allies to prepare for an “ever-changing geopolitical environment.”

This is the fourth iteration of Global Dexterity, which is held twice a year either in Australia or the United States.

Tensions Build-Up in the Region

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has recently addressed tensions in the South China Sea during a visit to the Philippines.

“We must stand up for principles such as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, unimpeded lawful commerce, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, and throughout the Indo-Pacific,” the vice president said during a speech on the Philippine coast guard vessel.

The Philippines government is seeking an explanation from Beijing over the forcible seizure of Chinese rocket debris that was in possession of Filipino navy personnel.

Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos said Filipino sailors initially spotted debris and went to retrieve it.

As they were travelling back, they noticed a Chinese coast guard vessel approaching and subsequently “blocked their pre-plotted course twice,” according to a statement.

A smaller inflatable boat was then dispatched with personnel who “forcefully retrieved said floating object by cutting the towing line” attached to the Filipino sailors’ rubber boat.

Ongoing Exercises

Global Dexterity concluded just days after Exercise Virtual Flag: Coalition (VF:C) was wrapped up at the Distributed Mission Operations Center at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.

VF:C is one of the largest military exercises held by the U.S. Department of Defense and involves the air, land, and sea armed forces of Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Around 400 warfighters were deployed to complete 6,400 joint training exercises.

“Exercise Virtual Flag: Coalition is the preeminent, Five Eyes, distributed mission training, interoperability exercise fostering multi-national cooperation,” said Steve Camps, Lt. Col of the Royal Canadian Air Force, in a statement.

While Michael Butler, Lt. Col. of the U.S. Air Force, said the exercise’s realistic environment “tested U.S., U.K., Australian, and Canadian forces’ ability to combine and develop their strengths to the maximum effect.”