Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group Concludes Valiant Shield 2020

25 September 2020

From Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Codie Soule

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group concluded Valiant Shield 2020, Sept. 25, while operating in the Philippine Sea.

During the exercise, the strike group integrated with more than 11,000 personnel and 100 aircraft from the U.S. Navy, Army, Marine Corps and Air Force, and took part in the U.S.-only field training biennial exercise. Participating forces exercised a wide range of joint capabilities in air, land, surface, and sub-surface scenarios. This year’s participants included USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, USS Antietam (CG 54), USS Shiloh (CG 67), USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Chicago (SSN 721), USS America (LHA 6), USS New Orleans (LPD 18), USS Comstock (LSD 45) and multiple surface ships.

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 25, 2020) From left, USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10), USS Comstock (LSD 45), USS Shiloh (CG 67), USS New Orleans (LPD 18), USS Chicago (SSN 721), USS America (LHA 6), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194), USS Antietam (CG 54), USS Germantown (LSD 42), and USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2) steam in formation while E/A-18G Growlers and FA-18E Super Hornets from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, a P-8 Poseidon from Commander Task Force 72, and U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors and a B-1B Bomber fly over the formation in support of Valiant Shield 2020. Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Codie Soule)

SLIDESHOW | images | 200925-N-KP021-0762 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 25, 2020) From left, USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10), USS Comstock (LSD 45), USS Shiloh (CG 67), USS New Orleans (LPD 18), USS Chicago (SSN 721), USS America (LHA 6), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194), USS Antietam (CG 54), USS Germantown (LSD 42), and USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2) steam in formation while E/A-18G Growlers and FA-18E Super Hornets from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, a P-8 Poseidon from Commander Task Force 72, and U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors and a B-1B Bomber fly over the formation in support of Valiant Shield 2020. Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Codie Soule)

An EA-18G Growler attached to the "Shadowhawks" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 launches from the flight deck of the Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of Valiant Shield 2020.

SLIDESHOW | images | 200914-N-RF825-1043 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 14, 2020) An EA-18G Growler attached to the "Shadowhawks" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 launches from the flight deck of the Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of Valiant Shield 2020. Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jason Tarleton)

USS Chicago (SSN 721), front, USS Shiloh (CG 67), USS Comstock (LSD 45) and USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2) and USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) steam in formation with USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in support of Valiant Shield 2020.

SLIDESHOW | images | 200925-N-DL524-3052 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 25, 2020) The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721), front, the guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), the dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) and the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ships USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2) and USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) steam in formation with the Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in support of Valiant Shield 2020. Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erica Bechard)

The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721) steams in formation with the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in support of Valiant Shield 2020.

SLIDESHOW | images | 200925-N-DL524-3045 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 25, 2020) The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721) steams in formation with the Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in support of Valiant Shield 2020. Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erica Bechard)

USS Comstock (LSD 45), right, and USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) steam in formation with the Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in support of Valiant Shield 2020.

SLIDESHOW | images | 200925-N-DL524-2029 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 25, 2020) The amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45), right, and the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) steam in formation with the Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in support of Valiant Shield 2020. Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erica Bechard)

A Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launches a missile off a launching platform on the Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

SLIDESHOW | images | 200925-N-ZF088-3001 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 25, 2020) A Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launches a missile off a launching platform on the Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, as well as the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gabriel A. Martinez)

Capt. Patrick Hannifin, commanding officer of the Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), observes a formation for a photo exercise in support of Valiant Shield 2020.

SLIDESHOW | images | 200925-N-ZF088-2008 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 25, 2020) Capt. Patrick Hannifin, commanding officer of the Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), observes a formation for a photo exercise in support of Valiant Shield 2020. Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gabriel A. Martinez)

A Sailor signals to an MH-60R Sea Hawk prior to take off on the flight deck of the Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of Valiant Shield 2020.

SLIDESHOW | images | 200925-N-ZF088-1053 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 25, 2020) Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Nicholas Bell signals to an MH-60R Sea Hawk, attached to the "Saberhawks" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77, prior to take off on the flight deck of the Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of Valiant Shield 2020. Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gabriel A. Martinez)

Ships participating in Valiant Shield 2020 steam in formation while E/A-18G Growlers and FA-18E Super Hornets from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, a P-8 Poseidon assigned to Commander Task Force 72, and U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors and a B-1B Bomber fly over the formation.

SLIDESHOW | images | 200925-N-RF825-2165 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 25, 2020) Ships participating in Valiant Shield 2020 steam in formation while E/A-18G Growlers and FA-18E Super Hornets from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, a P-8 Poseidon assigned to Commander Task Force 72, and U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors and a B-1B Bomber fly over the formation. Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jason Tarleton)

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the Royal Maces of the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27, takes off from the flight deck of the Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of Valiant Shield 2020.

SLIDESHOW | images | 200925-N-WS494-1369 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 25, 2020) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the Royal Maces of the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27, takes off from the flight deck of the Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of Valiant Shield 2020. Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Quinton A. Lee)

“Valiant Shield enables joint force integration that increases our warfighting readiness in an all domain environment,” said Rear Adm. George M. Wikoff, commander Carrier Strike Group 5. “High end joint training demonstrates our ability to rapidly deploy a ready, agile, and lethal team capable of responding with overwhelming combat power to any contingency in the region.”

During Valiant Shield, the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike group conducted several multi-platform live-fire missile exercises to enhance integrated response capabilities of U.S. forward-deployed forces.

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) conducted surface to land tomahawk land attack cruise-missile strike scenarios. Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group units also participated in a sinking exercise (SINKEX), combining an orchestrated sequence of live ordinance targeting the ex-USS Curts (FFG 38), including air-launched ordinance from fixed and rotary wing squadrons of CVW-5, embarked aboard Ronald Reagan, surface launched missiles from Antietam and Shiloh, as well as various supporting Navy and U.S. Air Force aircraft.

“Valiant Shield demonstrates our nation’s steadfast commitment to the Western Pacific and our allies in the region,” said Capt. Pat Hannifin, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer. “Ronald Reagan’s seamless integration with our joint partners in the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force ensures a lethal and flexible global force to answer the call for prompt and sustained combat operations wherever they are needed. We are proud to stand watch from the sea in support of this unmatched joint team.”

Valiant Shield is a series of military exercises that promote integration among the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. Each successive exercise builds on lessons learned from the previous training to enhance complementary capabilities and develop new tactics, techniques, and procedures. This training increases the deterrence and stabilizing effects of a joint force, ready to respond to any contingency. This is the eighth exercise in the Valiant Shield series that began in 2006.

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