A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ShinMaywa US-2 aircraft, assigned to Air Rescue Squadron 71 (ARS-71, Fleet Air Wing 31, conducts a casualty evacuation drill with Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) part of Exercise Balikatan 2026 in the South China Sea, April 27, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces if the Philippines and U.S. military the represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity.

Source: Japanese ‘ShinMaywa US – 2’ lands near U.S. Ship in the South China Sea