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Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadrons 171 and 172, both currently assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, drill a hole into the ground as part of the M31 Marine Corps expeditionary arresting gear system in preparation for Valiant Shield 2014. Arresting gear is used to stop aircraft quickly in case they land on a short runway or experience an emergency.

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadrons 171 and 172, both currently assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, drill a hole into the ground as part of the M31 Marine Corps expeditionary arresting gear system in preparation for Valiant Shield 2014. Arresting gear is used to stop aircraft quickly in case they land on a short runway or experience an emergency. (David A. Walters/U.S. Marine Corps)

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadrons 171 and 172, both currently assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, drill a hole into the ground as part of the M31 Marine Corps expeditionary arresting gear system in preparation for Valiant Shield 2014. Arresting gear is used to stop aircraft quickly in case they land on a short runway or experience an emergency.

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadrons 171 and 172, both currently assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, drill a hole into the ground as part of the M31 Marine Corps expeditionary arresting gear system in preparation for Valiant Shield 2014. Arresting gear is used to stop aircraft quickly in case they land on a short runway or experience an emergency. (David A. Walters/U.S. Marine Corps)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin fires two SM-2 missiles during Exercise Valiant Shield 2014. Air and sea units from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force participated in the sinking exercise of ex-USS Fresno to gain proficiency in tactics, targeting and live firing against a surface target at sea in conditions that couldn't be simulated otherwise.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin fires two SM-2 missiles during Exercise Valiant Shield 2014. Air and sea units from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force participated in the sinking exercise of ex-USS Fresno to gain proficiency in tactics, targeting and live firing against a surface target at sea in conditions that couldn't be simulated otherwise. (Fidel C. Hart/U.S. Navy)

Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Tyler Joosten from Salt Lake City, Utah, signals an MH-60S Sea Hawk from the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 as it launches from the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Halsey. Halsey is currently participating in Valiant Shield, a U.S.-only exercise integrating U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps assets, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities that provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies and partners.

Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Tyler Joosten from Salt Lake City, Utah, signals an MH-60S Sea Hawk from the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 as it launches from the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Halsey. Halsey is currently participating in Valiant Shield, a U.S.-only exercise integrating U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps assets, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities that provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies and partners. (Bradley J. Gee/U.S. Navy)

Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Tyler Joosten from Salt Lake City, Utah, signals an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from the Saberhawks of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 as it launches off the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Halsey.

Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Tyler Joosten from Salt Lake City, Utah, signals an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from the Saberhawks of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 as it launches off the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Halsey. (Bradley J. Gee/U.S. Navy)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin fires an SM-2 missile during Exercise Valiant Shield 2014. Air and sea units from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force participated in the sinking exercise of ex-USS Fresno to gain proficiency in tactics, targeting and live firing against a surface target at sea in conditions that couldn't be simulated otherwise.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin fires an SM-2 missile during Exercise Valiant Shield 2014. Air and sea units from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force participated in the sinking exercise of ex-USS Fresno to gain proficiency in tactics, targeting and live firing against a surface target at sea in conditions that couldn't be simulated otherwise. (Declan Barnes/U.S. Navy)

A Harpoon missile is launched from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh during a live-fire exercise.

A Harpoon missile is launched from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh during a live-fire exercise. (Kevin V. Cunningham/U.S. Navy)

Petty Officer 2nd Class Omar Murrell, from Houston, assigned to the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Mustin, stands watch in the ship's combat information center during Valiant Shield 2014.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Omar Murrell, from Houston, assigned to the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Mustin, stands watch in the ship's combat information center during Valiant Shield 2014. (Declan Barnes/U.S. Navy)

Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam fires a Standard Missile 2 during Valiant Shield 2014. Valiant Shield is a U.S.-only exercise integrating U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps assets, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities that provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies and partners.

Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam fires a Standard Missile 2 during Valiant Shield 2014. Valiant Shield is a U.S.-only exercise integrating U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps assets, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities that provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies and partners. (David Flewellyn/U.S. Navy)

Sailors chock and chain a C-2A Greyhound from the Providers of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30, Detachment 5, on the flight deck of the forward deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington. George Washington is currently participating in Valiant Shield 2014, a U.S.-only exercise integrating an estimated 18,000 Navy, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps personnel, more than 200 aircraft and 19 surface ships, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities that provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies and partners.

Sailors chock and chain a C-2A Greyhound from the Providers of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30, Detachment 5, on the flight deck of the forward deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington. George Washington is currently participating in Valiant Shield 2014, a U.S.-only exercise integrating an estimated 18,000 Navy, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps personnel, more than 200 aircraft and 19 surface ships, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities that provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies and partners. (Chris Cavagnaro/U.S. Navy)

Sailors transport ordnance on the flight deck of the forward deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington as part of Valiant Shield 2014.

Sailors transport ordnance on the flight deck of the forward deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington as part of Valiant Shield 2014. (Chris Cavagnaro/U.S. Navy)

An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron 115 launches from the flight deck of the forward deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington in anticipation of operations in a joint airspace environment during Valiant Shield 2014.

An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron 115 launches from the flight deck of the forward deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington in anticipation of operations in a joint airspace environment during Valiant Shield 2014. (Chris Cavagnaro/U.S. Navy)

The Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Mustin fires a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile simulating a joint strike on an enemy shore facility during Valiant Shield 2014.

The Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Mustin fires a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile simulating a joint strike on an enemy shore facility during Valiant Shield 2014. (Declan Barnes/U.S. Navy)

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald launches a vertical launch anti-submarine rocket from its forward launchers during Valiant Shield.

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald launches a vertical launch anti-submarine rocket from its forward launchers during Valiant Shield. (Beverly J. Lesonik/U.S. Navy)

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 18th Aggressor Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, departs after refueling from KC-10 Extender from the 32nd Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst during Valiant Shield 2014.

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 18th Aggressor Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, departs after refueling from KC-10 Extender from the 32nd Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst during Valiant Shield 2014. (William Banton/U.S. Air Force)

Cpl. Kyle W. Losee, left, and 1st Lt. Traver K. Mayfield acquire an aircraft target with a Stinger missile weapon system on aircraft during the island seizure portion of  Valiant Shield 2014 Sept. 20 at Tinian's North Field. Guam National Guardsmen are acting as opposition forces who are defending a captured compound that Marine infantrymen from Company A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment are attempting to reclaim. Losee is an assistant gunner and Mayfield is the officer in charge with the 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Det.

Cpl. Kyle W. Losee, left, and 1st Lt. Traver K. Mayfield acquire an aircraft target with a Stinger missile weapon system on aircraft during the island seizure portion of Valiant Shield 2014 Sept. 20 at Tinian's North Field. Guam National Guardsmen are acting as opposition forces who are defending a captured compound that Marine infantrymen from Company A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment are attempting to reclaim. Losee is an assistant gunner and Mayfield is the officer in charge with the 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Det. (Tyler Ngiraswei/U.S. Marine Corps)

Two MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft containing Marine infantrymen land near Tinian's North Field Sept. 20 as part of the island seizure portion of Valiant Shield 2014. The Marines within the aircraft disembarked and the Osprey took off before the Marines made their way to reclaim a compound that has been captured by opposing forces, represented by Guam Army National Guard's Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment.

Two MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft containing Marine infantrymen land near Tinian's North Field Sept. 20 as part of the island seizure portion of Valiant Shield 2014. The Marines within the aircraft disembarked and the Osprey took off before the Marines made their way to reclaim a compound that has been captured by opposing forces, represented by Guam Army National Guard's Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment. (Tyler Ngiraswei/U.S. Marine Corps)

Marines assault an objective during the island seizure portion of Valiant Shield 2014 Sept. 20 near Tinian's North Field. Their objective is a compound held by an opposing force represented by  the Guam Army National Guard's Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment.

Marines assault an objective during the island seizure portion of Valiant Shield 2014 Sept. 20 near Tinian's North Field. Their objective is a compound held by an opposing force represented by the Guam Army National Guard's Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment. (D. A. Walters/U.S. Marine Corps)

Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson steams alongside the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington during a replenishment-at-sea. During the RAS, ships from Commander, Task Force 70 and 73 participated in a simulated submarine threat exercise for Valiant Shield 2014.  Valiant Shield is a U.S.-only exercise integrating an estimated 18,000 Navy, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps personnel, more than 200 aircraft and 19 surface ships, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities that provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies and partners.

Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson steams alongside the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington during a replenishment-at-sea. During the RAS, ships from Commander, Task Force 70 and 73 participated in a simulated submarine threat exercise for Valiant Shield 2014. Valiant Shield is a U.S.-only exercise integrating an estimated 18,000 Navy, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps personnel, more than 200 aircraft and 19 surface ships, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities that provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies and partners. (Paolo Bayas/U.S. Navy)

Ensign Michael Madrid, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin, scans the horizon during a replenishment-at-sea during Valiant Shield 2014.

Ensign Michael Madrid, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin, scans the horizon during a replenishment-at-sea during Valiant Shield 2014. (Declan Barnes/U.S. Navy)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin maneuvers alongside the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Pecos to conduct a replenishment-at-sea during Valiant Shield 2014.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin maneuvers alongside the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Pecos to conduct a replenishment-at-sea during Valiant Shield 2014. (Declan Barnes/U.S. Navy)

Petty Officer 3rd Class Shanne Arzadon, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin, mans the helm in the pilot house replenishment-at-sea during Valiant Shield 2014.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Shanne Arzadon, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin, mans the helm in the pilot house replenishment-at-sea during Valiant Shield 2014. (Declan Barnes/U.S. Navy)

An estimated 18,000 servicemembers wrapped up Valiant Shield in Guam Tuesday.

The biennial maneuvers, which began Sept. 15, included personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, according to a statement from the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The exercise featured the Air-Sea Battle concept, which aims to overcome an enemy force’s attempt to deny access and maneuverability within sea lanes and air space.

The Air-Sea Battle concept isn’t officially directed toward any particular country, but China and Iran have emphasized anti-access strategies in their military doctrines in recent years.

China is investing heavily in advanced ballistic missiles and electronic warfare to bolster its “anti-access, area-denial” capabilities, according to the Pentagon’s annual report to Congress this year.

Although the United States is China’s largest trading partner, the two countries remain at odds over Taiwan, which the U.S. has pledged to defend.

In addition, Chinese claims over territories also claimed by neighboring countries in the East and South China seas have increased tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Yokosuka-based aircraft carrier USS George Washington and the San Diego-based carrier USS Vinson headlined Valiant Shield, along with their strike groups and air wings, the Pacific Fleet said. Six Military Sealift Command ships were also on hand for the Navy.

Marine units operated under control of the Iwakuni, Japan-based Marine Aircraft Group 12. The Air Force was led by the Guam-based 36th Operations Group, including the 44th and 90th fighter squadrons.

The Army contribution came primarily from the Fort Shafter, Hawaii-based 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.

news@stripes.com

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