Department-Level Exercise (DLE) Series

Through this series, the Department of the Air Force is preparing to be a stronger, more lethal deterrent force, to provide an advantage against competitors and adversaries across all domains, and to ensure regional stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

The DLE series will incorporate multiple command exercises into one overall threat deterrence scenario, including Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC), Resolute Space, Mobility Guardian, Emerald Warrior and Bamboo Eagle 25-3.

It will also integrate multiple allies and partners in specific component exercises with shared interests. Partner integration is critical to U.S. efforts to ensure regional and global peace and stability and provides a decisive advantage against complex threats.

U.S. Marines, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force helicopters engage targets off coast of Okinawa during Resolute Dragon 25

1st Marine Aircraft Wing

Video by Sgt. Edison Lobos

Sept. 19, 2025 | 2:32

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 (HMLA-169), Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) members with 1st Helicopter Brigade engage targets off of the coast of Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 19, 2025. HMLA-169 Marines and JGSDF personnel flew in formation and executed a live-fire evolution to strengthen combat readiness in realistic combat environments during exercise Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Edison Lobos) More