Japan and U.S. complete Keen Sword 27 with eight live-fire drills and about 200 aircraft

Japan and the United States completed Keen Sword 27 on October 29, 2026, after 11 days of training involving about 45,000 Japanese personnel, 11,000 U.S. troops, 200 aircraft and 40 ships. Participants conducted 161 training events, including eight live-fire drills involving ships, aircraft and helicopters, and crews flew 366 sorties. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group took part in training that extended across several Japanese island chains and nearby waters. Seven partner countries joined the exercise, which covered operations on land, at sea and in the air as well as space, cyber and logistics activities.