Russia Surprised: USAF F15 Fighter take off from Kadena Air Base

The 67th and 44th Fighter Squadrons take off from Kadena Air Base for Exercise Southern Beach, Jan. 1 2023.

Exercise Southern Beach is a largescale JapanU.S. joint training continual effort to enhance interoperability between U.S. Forces and host nation partners. Southern Beach is a locally organized bilateral training exercise that enhances interoperability with the opportunity for 18th Wing and Japan Air SelfDefense Force units to practice mission planning, flying and debriefing together.

Bilateral training exercises like these help build trusting relationships among nations, ensuring allies are able to come together to effectively respond to demanding scenarios and execute highend missions in defense of a free and open IndoPacific region.