Exercise Valiant Shield 2020

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. William Blevins, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron NCO in charge of generator maintenance, positions a mat of fiber reinforced polymer for an airfield damage repair compatible with agile combat employment proof of concept during Valiant Shield 2020 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 22, 2020. As VS20 comes to an end, the planning for VS22 begins with the incorporation of lessons learned from the past two weeks, so the military remains ready to defend the nation and its alliances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel E. Fernandez)

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Exercise Valiant Shield 2020

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Virgel Woodard, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron structural apprentice overlooks the results of a new airfield damage repair technique he partook in during Valiant Shield 2020 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 22, 2020. During the exercise, Airmen from the 18th CEG successfully executed the Air Force’s first operational test of modified fiber reinforced polymer matting as a solution for expedient, semi-permanent ADR. While VS is a training exercise held biennially in a real-world environment, the 2020 exercise was scaled down from previous years due to the global COVD-19 pandemic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel E. Fernandez)

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Exercise Valiant Shield 2020

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Dylan Goodson, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron electrical systems apprentice tightens an anchor bushing to secure the fiber reinforced polymer mat during Valiant Shield 2020 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 22, 2020. VS enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging adversary units at sea, in the air, in space, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. The 18th CEG’s role was to test a modified fiber reinforced polymer matting and validate proof of concept as an airfield damage repair solution compatible with agile combat employment operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel E. Fernandez)

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Exercise Valiant Shield 2020

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 18th Civil Engineer Group operate heavy machinery to test an agile combat employment compatible airfield damage repair proof of concept during exercise Valiant Shield 2020 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 22, 2020. During the exercise, more than 11,000 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen synchronized to train in a real-world environment to demonstrate their readiness to respond to any contingency at a moment’s notice. The 18th CEG played its role in successfully executing the Air Force’s first ADR with modified fiber reinforced polymer matting and channeled up lessons learned to Pacific Air Forces Civil Engineer Readiness to improve the Air Force’s multi-domain combat lethality. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel E. Fernandez)

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Exercise Valiant Shield 2020

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 18th Civil Engineer Group move a mat of fiber reinforced polymer to act as a semi-permanent repair for airfield damage repair compatible with agile combat employment during Valiant Shield 2020 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 22, 2020. Lessons learned and feedback for improvements were channeled up to Pacific Air Forces Civil Engineer Readiness to improve the Air Force’s multi-domain combat lethality, securing our ability to implement the National Defense Strategy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel E. Fernandez)

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Exercise Valiant Shield 2020

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 18th Civil Engineer Group use a forklift to move modified fiber reinforced polymer matting for use as a solution for expedient airfield damage repair during exercise Valiant Shield 2020 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 22, 2020. VS20 is a biennial, U.S.-only, joint field training exercise. The primary focus of VS20 was to demonstrate the U.S. military’s commitment to preserving, securing, maintaining regional stability and remaining postured to respond when needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel E. Fernandez)

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Exercise Valiant Shield 2020

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Marshall Barman, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron water and fuels maintenance journeyman, moves debris during the Air Force’s first operational test of modified fiber reinforced polymer matting as a solution for expedient, semi-permanent airfield damage repair compatible with agile combat employment as part of exercise Valiant Shield 2020 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 22, 2020. The 18th CEG plays an important part in supporting the Pacific Air Forces’ effort to operationalize concepts designed to become more agile in execution, more strategic in deterrence, and more resilient in capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel E. Fernandez)

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Exercise Valiant Shield 2020

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brian McDonald, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron water and fuels maintenance craftsman, operates a compact tract loader during exercise Valiant Shield 2020 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 22, 2020. This is the eighth exercise in the VS series since 2006. The exercise is held during even years, opposite the U.S. Air Force-led Northern Edge exercise series held during odd years. During VS20, The 18th CEG successfully executed the Air Force’s first operational test of modified fiber reinforced polymer matting for expedient airfield damage repair. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel E. Fernandez)

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Exercise Valiant Shield 2020

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Michael McGuiness, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron pavements and equipment apprentice, drives a water truck over an airfield damage recovery site for dust control during exercise Valiant Shield 2020 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 22, 2020. During VS20, the 18th CEG successfully executed the Air Force’s first operational test of modified fiber reinforced polymer matting as a solution for expedient airfield damage repair. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel E. Fernandez)

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Exercise Valiant Shield 2020

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 18th Civil Engineer Group receive a pre-brief before participating in exercise Valiant Shield 2020 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 22, 2020. VS20, the eighth iteration since 2006, allows the U.S. joint force to more fully develop joint all-domain operations concepts through exercises and safe experimentation for application in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. Kadena Air Base’s role was to test a modified fiber reinforced polymer matting as an expedient airfield damage repair solution. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel E. Fernandez)

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Exercise Valiant Shield 2020

Published Oct. 26, 2020
By Tech. Sgt. Daniel E. Fernandez
18th Civil Engineer Group

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. William Blevins, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron NCO in charge of generator maintenance, positions a mat of fiber reinforced polymer for an airfield damage repair compatible with agile combat employment proof of concept during Valiant Shield 2020 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 22, 2020. As VS20 comes to an end, the planning for VS22 begins with the incorporation of lessons learned from the past two weeks, so the military remains ready to defend the nation and its alliances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel E. Fernandez)