Southern Beach 2025

A U.S. Air Force pilot assigned to the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and a Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilot discuss post-mission brief points during exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, Jan. 24, 2025. Bilateral training builds trusting relationships among foreign and domestic forces and ensures the 18th Wing and host-nation allies can come together to effectively respond to demanding scenarios and execute high-end missions in defense of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Southern Beach 2025

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Airmen conduct a post-mission brief during exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, Jan. 24, 2025. Southern Beach allows U.S. and Japanese personnel to integrate as an allied force to understand each other’s strengths better, practice fluidity and execute the mission of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Southern Beach 2025

A U.S. Air Force Airman wears a patch displaying the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron’s mascot during exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, Jan. 24, 2025. Southern Beach allows U.S. and Japanese personnel to integrate as an allied force to understand each other’s strengths better, practice fluidity and execute the mission of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Southern Beach 2025

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilot leads a post-mission brief during exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, Jan. 24, 2025. Bilateral training builds trusting relationships among foreign and domestic forces and ensures the 18th Wing and host-nation allies can come together to effectively respond to demanding scenarios and execute high-end missions in defense of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Southern Beach 2025

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Airmen conduct a post-mission brief during exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, Jan. 24, 2025. Southern Beach allows U.S. and Japanese personnel to integrate as an allied force to understand each other’s strengths better, practice fluidity and execute the mission of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Southern Beach 2025

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15DJ Eagle takes off in support of exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, Jan. 24, 2025. In support of the bilateral exercise Southern Beach, JASDF units practiced mission planning, flying and debriefing with U.S. forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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Southern Beach 2025

Published Jan. 30, 2025
By Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon
18 Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan. -- Southern Beach is a locally organized, bilateral exercise that brings the 18th Wing and JASDF units together to practice leading, mission planning, flying, and debriefing with one another. This exercise is a continual effort to enhance interoperability between U.S. Forces and host nation partners.