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The RAAF is hosting United States Pacific Air Forces and Japanese Air Self Defense Force (Koku-Jieitai) aircraft and personnel as part of Exercise Southern Cross 26 this month.
Taking place at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal from 6 to 17 July, the exercise “seeks to practice operating as a trilateral task force within a contemporary, high-end, warfighting environment”, according to a statement from Defence.
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“Over almost two weeks, the RAAF and its partners will exercise integrated, agile operations as a dispersed fighting force across northern Australia, including multinational aircraft maintenance, air-to-air refuelling, and the employment of live (inert) weapons,” Defence said.
“Additionally, a bilateral Australia-Japan flight took place on the way to the exercise, with an Australian KC-30A refuelling Japanese F-35As over the Pacific Ocean.”
Southern Cross 26 is important for regional security, said Officer Commanding the Exercise, Air Commodore Peter Robinson CSM.
“The Australia-Japan-United States trilateral partnership is critical to a secure, safe and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” he said.
“Exercise Southern Cross 26 will deepen our relationship, and build upon our ability to defend our collective interests, and deter coercion or conflict in the region.”
This is the latest in a series of trilateral air exercises recently conducted between Australia, the US and Japan, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) training earlier this year, and the first trilateral iteration of Exercise Bushido Guardian in 2025.
US Air Force Colonel Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, said in October that the first trilateral Bushido Guardian was a “pivotal moment”.
“This trilateral exercise is more than just flying sorties; it’s about forging stronger bonds, sharing expertise and refining our combined tactics,” he said.
“By working together, we enhance interoperability, improve our collective readiness and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
More than 1000 personnel and up to 40 aircraft from the RAAF, USAF and JASDF are participating.
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