
US Sharpens Spy Plane Tactics With Pacific Ally
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The United States recently deployed a spy plane to Australia—its South Pacific ally—to strengthen its ability to conduct intelligence gathering from a forward-deployed location.
The late-May deployment was part of Exercise RECCE-Edge 25, the U.S. Air Force 18th Wing—host unit at Kadena Air Base in Japan—announced in a news release on Tuesday, which reinforced the role of delivering "timely, reliable intelligence" from any location.
Why It Matters
The U.S. Air Force has been actively conducting surveillance missions in the western Pacific Ocean, particularly over waters bordering China. It has deployed various reconnaissance aircraft to Kadena Air Base, a strategic hub for projecting U.S. airpower in the region.
The recent temporary deployment to Australia follows a Pentagon report on Chinese military power, which assessed that Beijing has expanded its ballistic missile force capable of striking U.S. military bases in Japan—including airfields lacking fortifications to protect aircraft.
Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email.
What To Know
A team of 55 airmen and an RC-135V Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft were deployed to an air force base in Darwin, northern Australia, from May 19 to 23, according to the 18th Wing. The airmen were assigned to the 82nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron.
Although the squadron is part of the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, it has operated out of Kadena Air Base since January 1968. It is responsible for conducting aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions across the Indo-Pacific region.
RECCE-Edge 25 focused on "enhancing agile force capabilities, intelligence gathering, and joint interoperability," according to the news release, allowing the unit to strengthen tactics and sustain reconnaissance operations while operating from a forward-deployed location.
The forward-deployed team demonstrated its ability to rapidly deploy and sustain "high-tempo reconnaissance missions" from the remote location by achieving full operational capability in just under 12 hours after arriving in Darwin from Japan, the 18th Wing said.
United States Air Force airmen prepare an RC-135V Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin in Australia on May 21, 2025.
United States Air Force airmen prepare an RC-135V Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin in Australia on May 21, 2025.
2nd Lt. James Strong/U.S. Air Force
U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michael Ellsworth, director of operations of the 82nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, described Darwin as an ideal location for such forward deployment, adding that the Australian ally offers a "close and secure" location.
By operating out of Darwin, this ensured the squadron's capabilities reach across the Indo-Pacific region, said U.S. Air Force Major Robert Anglin, assistant director of operations of the 82nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, "no matter how far we are from home."
The RC-135V Rivet Joint is equipped with a sensor suite to detect, identify, and geolocate electronic signals, according to a U.S. Air Force fact sheet. This "highly specialized signals intelligence platform" is capable of delivering real-time intelligence, the 18th Wing added.
What People Are Saying
U.S. Air Force Major Robert Anglin, the 82nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron assistant director of operations, said: "The Rivet Joint is a high-value asset and crucial to maintaining our reconnaissance capabilities, so it's very important that we're able to get it up and running quickly."
The U.S. Air Force 18th Wing commented: "The [82nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron] demonstrated its ability to operate and perform their duties in any location while proving the importance of cooperation with trusted partners to uphold regional stability and maintain intelligence superiority."
What Happens Next
In addition to Australia, it remains to be seen whether U.S. spy planes stationed in Japan will operate from other forward locations in allied territories across the western Pacific region.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Huawei founder says chips still lag 'one generation' behind US
Chinese tech giant Huawei's chips still "lag behind the United States by one generation", state media quoted its founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei as saying in a rare interview on Tuesday. Washington last month unveiled fresh guidelines warning firms that using Chinese-made high-tech AI semiconductors, specifically Huawei's Ascend chips, would put them at risk of violating US export controls. The Shenzhen-based company has been at the centre of an intense standoff between the economic supergiants after Washington warned its equipment could be used for espionage byBeijing, an allegation Huawei denies. Speaking to the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the ruling Communist Party, 80-year-old Ren insisted the United States had "exaggerated" Huawei's achievements. Tougher controls in recent years have prevented US chip giant Nvidia, one of Huawei's rivals, from selling certain AI semiconductors -- widely regarded as the most advanced in the world -- to Chinese firms. As a result, it is now facing tougher competition from local players in the crucial market, including Huawei. Nvidia's chief executive Jensen Huang told reporters last month that Chinese companies "are very, very talented and very determined, and the export control gave them the spirit, the energy and the government support to accelerate their development". But Ren said Huawei was "not that great yet", according to the article published on the newspaper's front page Tuesday. "Many companies in China are making chips, and quite a few are doing well -- Huawei is just one of them," he added. When asked about "external blockades and suppression" -- a veiled reference to US export restrictions on Beijing -- Ren said he had "never thought about it". "Don't dwell on the difficulties, just get the job done and move forward step by step," he added. Sanctions since 2019 have curtailed the firm's access to US-made components and technologies, forcing it to diversify its growth strategy. China has accused the United States of "bullying" and "abusing export controls to suppress and contain" the country's firms. isk/oho/dan


Business Insider
42 minutes ago
- Business Insider
‘Load Up Ahead of This Big Conference,' Says Top Investor About AMD Stock
Spring has been very good to Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD), whose share price has seen a level of growth it hadn't experienced in quite some time. After hitting a 52-week low in early April, AMD has mostly been on the upswing – gaining 55% over the past two months. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter While a relaxation of the trade tensions has lifted all boats, AMD has also benefited from a strong Q1 2025 earnings report, a $10 billion partnership with the Saudi Arabian HUMAIN, and continued affirmations from the hyperscalers that their massive AI capex spending remains on track. Of course, it is not all sunshine and rainbows, and trade tensions and export restrictions vis-a-vis the Chinese market remain very real concerns. One top investor, known by the pseudonym JR Research, is looking at the glass half full – and is encouraged by the recent trends. 'AMD's Q1 results and ongoing data center momentum reinforce confidence in its core business, despite cyclical and competitive challenges,' asserts the 5-star investor, who is among the top 2% of TipRanks' stock pros. JR is excited by AMD's Advancing AI 2025 day scheduled for June 12, during which the company is expected to showcase its technological advances and progress with its AI stack. While Nvidia remains the King of the Hill, there is plenty of room for AMD to make inroads against the industry leader – particularly when it comes to inference. 'I fully expect AMD to remain competitive, although we still need to validate its growth cadence,' adds JR. Despite the rising share price, the investor notes that AMD is still underperforming its semiconductor peers, reflecting a lack of confidence throughout the market. However, these low expectations could potentially be a blessing, explains JR, as it certainly alleviates pressure on the company to deliver 'resounding' breakthroughs at the upcoming AI day. That being said, JR is expecting good things at the confab, making this week's gathering a good time to stock up on AMD shares. 'AMD's price action and relative valuation corroborates my optimism that it has likely bottomed in April, affording long-term investors another opportunity (to) add exposure,' concludes JR, who rates AMD a Buy. (To watch JR Research's track record, click here) Wall Street also believes the growth wave has yet to crest. With 22 Buy and 10 Hold ratings, AMD can boast a Moderate Buy consensus rating. Its 12-month average price target of $126.55 has an upside of ~8%. (See AMD stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks' Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks' equity insights.


San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Japanese frigate arrives in Australia as Tokyo bids for defense deal
NEWCASTLE, Australia (AP) — A state-of-the-art Japanese warship has arrived in Australia as part of a high-stakes campaign to secure a $6.5 billion contract to build the country's next fleet of general-purpose frigates. The JS Yahagi, a Mogami-class stealth frigate from Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, is docked in Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory in what appears a symbolic and strategic move aimed at strengthening defense ties with Australia and showcasing Japanese naval technology. Japan's bid, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, was short-listed in November for the Royal Australian Navy's SEA 3000 frigate project and is competing against Germany's MEKO A-200 offered by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. Japan would jointly develop and produce the frigates for the Australian navy. Bolstering defense industry As part of its military buildup, Japan is pushing to strengthen its largely domestic defense industry by participating in joint development, including a next-generation fighter jet with Britain and Italy, and promoting foreign sales like the Mogami-class ships. In a sign of its commitment and heavy investment Japan has pledged to prioritize the RAN's order over its own naval procurement. The project not only serves to further deepen cooperation between Japan and Australia but also to enhance Japan's warship capabilities, Defense Minister General Nakatani has said. The Japanese Mogami-class design boasts advanced combat systems, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare capabilities, and mine countermeasure operations — all operated by a lean crew of around 90, helping to address ongoing recruitment challenges in the Australian Navy. The vessel's commanding officer, Tamura Masayoshi, said the ship's smaller crew was an aim of the Mogami-class ship. 'The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force thought we need stealth, and less people, and a little bit smaller ship,' Masayoshi told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Closer military ties The JS Yahagi's visit to Darwin comes amid intensifying strategic cooperation between Canberra and Tokyo, both of which have emphasized the importance of maritime safety and security of sea lanes. The frigate's arrival is also seen as a gesture of Japan's growing role in regional security and its desire to align more closely with key partners like Australia. In September 2024, Australia and Japan agreed to increase joint military training exercises to address shared concerns of China's incursions into Japanese airspace and territorial waters. Two months later, defense ministers from Australia, Japan and the U.S. held tripartite talks in Darwin to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening security ties and planning for joint military operations in northern Australia. —— Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed.