The United States Air Force is preparing for the 2025 Return of Forces to the Pacific exercise, known as REFORPAC. This large-scale military event will involve nearly 300 aircraft and thousands of personnel in a theater-spanning deployment. Months of planning are required to refine air traffic procedures and integrated communications protocols.
The exercise aims to enhance collective security and interoperability in the Indo-Pacific region. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute highlights that such drills indicate an adaptation to evolving environments through sustained partnerships.
USAF Chief of Staff General David W Allvin shared insights with the Air Force Association Mitchell Institute: “Reforpac will draw large forces from fewer units, to provide more intensive and realistic training.” He noted that lessons learned from reinforcing Middle East strength after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel have influenced this approach.