Japan's US-2 aircraft joins South China Sea casualty evacuation drill
Updated
Updated · Naval News · May 2
Japan's US-2 aircraft joins South China Sea casualty evacuation drill
11 articles · Updated · Naval News · May 2
The April 27 exercise near Oyster Bay, Palawan, involved the USS Ashland during Balikatan 2026, which includes about 17,000 troops and 1,400 Japanese personnel.
The amphibious aircraft rehearsed patient transfer and medical response at sea, marking Japan's first full Balikatan participation under a reciprocal access agreement with Manila.
The drills run to May 8 amid tensions linked to China, with Japan also sending major warships, missiles and transport aircraft alongside other partners including Australia, Canada, France and Britain.
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Balikatan 2026, held in the Philippines in April 2026, marked Japan's largest regional military deployment since World War II, enabled by the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement. Japan deployed its US-2 amphibious aircraft, JS Ise warship, and Type 88 missile systems, participating alongside the US, Philippines, and other allies amid rising regional tensions caused by China's assertive actions. A key highlight was a joint casualty evacuation drill near Palawan, demonstrating enhanced US-Japan interoperability and the US-2's unique sea-landing capabilities. The exercise prompted Chinese military responses and criticism, while setting a precedent for deeper trilateral security cooperation and economic initiatives to strengthen regional stability and deterrence.