GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (C) speaks ahead of an annual live-fire artillery drill at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's East Fuji Maneuver Area in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on June 7, 2026.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks ahead of an annual live-fire artillery drill at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's East Fuji Maneuver Area in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on June 7, 2026.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi waves as he observes an annual live-fire artillery drill at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's East Fuji Maneuver Area in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on June 7, 2026.

[Breaking News]U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

GOTEMBA, Japan, May 20 Kyodo - The U.S. military conducts an artillery drill using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on May 20, 2026. (Kyodo)

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

People rally in Susono in Shizuoka Prefecture on May 20, 2026, in protest over a U.S. military artillery drill being conducted using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in the central Japan prefecture.

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

The U.S. military conducts an artillery drill using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on May 20, 2026.

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

The U.S. military conducts an artillery drill using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on May 20, 2026.

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

The U.S. military conducts an artillery drill using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on May 20, 2026.

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

The U.S. military conducts an artillery drill using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on May 20, 2026.

Defense Minister Koizumi visits ASDF Space Operations Group

Defense Minister Koizumi visits ASDF Space Operations Group

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (front) meets the press after inspecting Space Operations Group activities at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's base in Fuchu, western Tokyo, on Dec. 2, 2025.

[Breaking News]"Balikatan"military exercise in South China Sea

TOKYO, Japan, April 30 Kyodo - The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyer Ikazuchi takes part in the U.S.-Philippine annual "Balikatan" military exercise in Philippine waters in the South China Sea on April 28, 2026. (Kyodo)

"Balikatan" military exercise in South China Sea

"Balikatan" military exercise in South China Sea

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyer Ikazuchi takes part in the U.S.-Philippine annual "Balikatan" military exercise in Philippine waters in the South China Sea on April 28, 2026.

"Balikatan" military exercise in South China Sea

"Balikatan" military exercise in South China Sea

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyer Ikazuchi (2nd from front) takes part in the U.S.-Philippine annual "Balikatan" military exercise in Philippine waters in the South China Sea on April 24, 2026.

F-35A stealth fighters deployed at U.S base in Aomori Pref.

F-35A stealth fighters deployed at U.S base in Aomori Pref.

Photo taken on April 24, 2026, shows an F-35A stealth fighter jet deployed at the U.S. Air Force's base in Misawa in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan.

F-35A stealth fighters deployed at U.S base in Aomori Pref.

F-35A stealth fighters deployed at U.S base in Aomori Pref.

A ceremony marking the deployment of F-35A stealth fighter jets is held at the U.S. Air Force's base in Misawa in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 24, 2026.

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 21, 2026, shows the Ground Self-Defense Force's Hijudai training range extending across Yufu, Kusu and Kokonoe in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan. Three GSDF members were killed and another was injured in a tank shell explosion during a live-fire exercise there.

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 21, 2026, shows the Ground Self-Defense Force's Hijudai training range extending across Yufu, Kusu and Kokonoe in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan. Three GSDF members were killed and another was injured in a tank shell explosion during a live-fire exercise there.

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 21, 2026, shows the Ground Self-Defense Force's Hijudai training range extending across Yufu, Kusu and Kokonoe in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan. Three GSDF members were killed and another was injured in a tank shell explosion during a live-fire exercise there.

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

3 SDF members dead after explosion during training

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 21, 2026, shows the Ground Self-Defense Force's Hijudai training range extending across Yufu, Kusu and Kokonoe in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan. Three GSDF members were killed and another was injured in a tank shell explosion during a live-fire exercise there.

US: Blue Angels and Thunderbirds Form Rare “Super Delta” Over Pensacola Beach, Florida

The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force's Thunderbirds joined forces Tuesday morning, April 14 over Pensacola Beach, Florida, forming a rare 12-aircraft formation known as the "Super Delta." The highly anticipated flyover drew large crowds to the beach, with spectators gathering to watch the display from 10:40 to 10:50 a.m. The Super Delta, which brings together two of the world's top aerial demonstration teams in a single delta formation, is considered an exceptionally rare event.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Japan-Germany defense talks

Japan-Germany defense talks

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (R), accompanied by his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi (C), receives a guard of honor at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

Japan-Germany defense talks

Japan-Germany defense talks

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (R), accompanied by his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi, receives a guard of honor at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

Japan-Germany defense talks

Japan-Germany defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius shake hands following a joint press appearance at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

Japan-German defense talks

Japan-German defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius make a joint press appearance following their talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

Japan-German defense talks

Japan-German defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius make a joint press appearance following their talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

Japan-German defense talks

Japan-German defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius make a joint press appearance following their talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

Japan-German defense talks

Japan-German defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from L) and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius (far R) hold talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

Japan-German defense talks

Japan-German defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from L) and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius (far R) hold talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

Japan-German defense talks

Japan-German defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius shake hands before holding talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026.

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (L) plays table tennis with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back following talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (L) and his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back pose for a photo following talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back (R) receives a guard of honor at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. Ahn held talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi (L) the same day. (Pool photo)

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets the press after holding talks with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back (2nd from R) holds talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from L) holds talks with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back (2nd from R) at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) shakes hands with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026, ahead of their talks. (Pool photo)

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from L) holds talks with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) shakes hands with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026, ahead of their talks. (Pool photo)

Japan defense chief visits base in Miyazaki Pref.

Japan defense chief visits base in Miyazaki Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (C) checks the noise of an F-35B stealth fighter jet during a visit to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Nyutabaru base in Shintomi in Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Jan. 9, 2026.

Japan defense chief visits base in Miyazaki Pref.

Japan defense chief visits base in Miyazaki Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets the press during a visit to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Nyutabaru base in Shintomi in Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Jan. 9, 2026.

Defense Minister Koizumi visits GSDF camp

Defense Minister Koizumi visits GSDF camp

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (C) meets the press during a visit to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Ainoura in Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 21, 2025.

HRH The Crown Princess Swedish Air Force

HRH The Crown Princess Swedish Air Force

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden has, during the autumn of 2025, completed her officer training with a specialization in the Air Force's operations. During the specialization, the Crown Princess gained insight into the practical and strategic work within the branch of the armed forces.Photo: Jesper Sundström/The Swedish Armed Forces/Handout / code 10501 **MANDATORY BYLINE: Jesper Sundström/Försvarsmakten** **For editorial use only. The image comes from an external source and is distributed in its original form as a service to our subscribers**