Salaknib 2026: Task Force Saber Conducts Joint Air Assault on Calayan Island

Video by Sgt. Olivia Cowart

Download

25th Combat Aviation Brigade

June 14, 2026 | 1:11

U.S. Army Capt. Justin Mettling, an AH-64 Apache aviation and assistant operations officer assigned to Task Force Saber, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, talks about the air assault mission, a part of Operational Maneuver. U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, alongside Philippine Army 54th Infantry Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, and Royal Australian Regiment 5th/7th Battalions, conducted this joint mission as part of Exercise Salaknib 2026 at Cagayan North International Airport, Lal-lo, and Calayan Island, Philippines, on June 15, 2026. Exercise Salaknib highlights the enduring U.S.-Philippine alliance, enhancing interoperability and readiness through combined arms operations, multi-domain integration, and humanitarian assistance efforts for regional stability. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Olivia Cowart) (Envato production music via Defense Media Activity, U.S. Army Pacific music license)

Up Next

Now Playing

Salaknib 2026: Task Force Saber Conducts Joint Air Assault on Calayan Island

Constructing a Golden Moment: A 25th ID Engineer Takes the AGT Stage
June 24, 2026 — SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii — Achieving a goal or dream can be quite tough. Dreams require action, whether pursued with confidence or fear. Sgt. Isaac Atkins, a U.S. Army Soldier and singer, is living proof that fighting for dreams can lead to accomplishment... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Isaac Atkins, a horizontal construction engineer assigned to 538th Engineer Support Company, 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Division Sustainment Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, poses for a photo in his Army Service Uniform, adorned with traditional Hawaiian leis, after completing Basic Leaders Course on Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, October 2025.

25th Infantry Division Synchronizes Split-Operations Across Pacific for Lightning Surge 4
June 24, 2026 — Fort Magsaysay, Philippines — The U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division is set to demonstrate its capability to synchronize split-operations across the Pacific during the upcoming operational demonstration, Lightning Surge 4, which supports the final phase of Exercise Salaknib. Working concurrently in Hawaii and the Philippines during the month of June, "Tropic Lightning" Soldiers will refine next-generation command and control capabilities, utilizing a unified data architecture to seamlessly bridge tactical edge operations with home-station support... MORE

A Soldier briefs members of the 2nd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, on emerging unmanned aerial capabilities during the 2nd Mobile Brigade Tech Expo at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, June 15, 2026.

Forging a Bilateral Lifesaving Force: MEDDAC-J NCO Honored by JGSDF Medical Service School
June 24, 2026 — Japanese and U.S. medical personnel train side-by-side to save lives in preparation for contingencies—the foundation for this synergy was driven forward by the unwavering dedication and leadership of a U.S. Army sergeant... MORE

Maj. Gen. Tomomasa Shiraishi, commandant of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Medical Service School, presents the JGSDF Achievement Medal to U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Justin Akers of U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Japan (MEDDAC-J) on May 18 at the JGSDF Medical Service School in Tokyo. The award recognizes his outstanding dedication and contributions to advancing bilateral medical readiness.

Pacific Partnership, Pacific Friendship Unite to Advance Disaster Response Preparedness in Vietnam
June 23, 2026 — QUANG TRI, Vietnam – The U.S. Navy-led Pacific Partnership 2026 (PP26) and the U.S. Army-led Pacific Friendship 2026 (PF26) marked the beginning of their joint humanitarian assistance and disaster response mission alongside leaders from Vietnam with an opening ceremony at the Melia Vinpearl, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, June 22... MORE

QUANG TRI, Vietnam (June 22, 2026) – Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, center, Mr. Le Hong Vinh, chairman of Quang Tri People’s Committee, center right, Mr. Hoang Nam, vice chairman of Quang Tri Province People’s Committee, center left, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. E. Darrin Cox, commander of the 18th Theater Medical Command and Army Forces assigned to Pacific Friendship 2026, front left, and U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Reyes, mission commander of Pacific Partnership 2026 (PP26), front right, and distinguished visitors pose for a photo during the PP26 Vietnam mission stop opening ceremony in Quang Tri, Vietnam, June 22, 2026.

US, French, and Pacific Leaders Strengthen Partnerships During MARARA 26
June 22, 2026 — TAHITI, French Polynesia — Rear Adm. Guillaume Pinget, commander of the French Armed Forces in French Polynesia (FAPF), Rear Adm. Suzanne Bailey, deputy commander of U.S. 3rd Fleet, and Maj. Gen. Lance Okamura, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific–Homeland Affairs, and other flag officers across the Pacific, including U.S. Coast Guard and Japanese Defense Force attended a distinguished visitor day during Exercise MARARA 26 in Tahiti, French Polynesia, June 16, 2026. ... MORE

Rear Adm. Guillaume Pinget, commander of the French Armed Forces in French Polynesia, speaks with Maj. Gen. Lance Okamura, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific–Homeland Affairs, during an office call following a distinguished visitor day for Exercise MARARA 26 in Tahiti, French Polynesia, June 16, 2026.

Tags

Up Next

25th Infantry Division Band Strengthens US-Fiji ...

25 Days at the Top of the World: Inside the Army...

Home Again: Mongolian-Born Soldier Returns in US...