U.S., allied navies conduct Pacific Dragon exercise
United States Navy
Allied navies joined the United States Navy and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency to conduct the Pacific Dragon 2024 (PD24) ballistic missile defense exercise from July 29 to August 13 around the Hawaiian Islands.
Hosted by U.S. 3rd Fleet, the biennial exercise improves the forces’ ability to work together to track and intercept ballistic missiles. It included live-fire and simulated ballistic missile intercepts and tracking events to exercise and refine integrated air and missile defense capabilities in a coalition environment.
VIDEO CREDIT: U.S. MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY/U.S. NAVY
PD24 was the first to use the new Integrated Air and Missile Defense Target, a semi-guided target designed to trigger and engage terminal ship defense combat systems, such as the Standard Missile (SM)-2 and SM-6.
Participating units and assets included the Royal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Sydney and E-7A surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, the Italian Navy multipurpose patrol vessel ITS Raimondo Montecuccoli, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Haguro, the Republic of Korea Navy destroyer ROKS Yulgok Yi I, the Royal Netherlands Navy destroyer HNLMS Tromp, the U.S. Navy destroyers USS Carl M. Levin and USS Kidd, cruiser USS Shiloh and P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, and an MQ-9 uncrewed aerial vehicle from the California Air National Guard, 163rd Attack Wing.
IMAGE CREDIT: PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY
“Through exercises and engagements like Pacific Dragon, we improve system interoperability and tactical procedures with our Allies and Partners,” said Vice Adm. John Wade, U.S. 3rd Fleet commander. “Combined operations and Integrated Air and Missile Defense tracking and live-fire events improve our proficiency and contribute to maritime security.”
An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, the U.S. 3rd Fleet provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s role, in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the joint force, across the spectrum of military operations — from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The U.S. 3rd Fleet works with Allies and Partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law and other principles that underpin security and a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
