Quad partners Australia, India, Japan, and the United States have completed their first Field Training Exercise (FTX) as part of the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN). The exercise took place from December 8 to 12 at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam alongside Operation Christmas Drop.
The IPLN is designed to help Quad countries use their combined logistics capabilities to respond more quickly and effectively to large-scale natural disasters across the Indo-Pacific region. Its main goal is to save lives, support recovery efforts, and assist regional partners during crises.
During the FTX, participants engaged in disaster response training activities. This included boarding a Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-130H transport aircraft. The focus was on improving interoperability and coordination among the Quad nations' forces. According to organizers, "This capacity is key to the Quad’s goal to better support regional partners in moments of need."
The recent field training follows a tabletop exercise held in April 2025 under the same initiative. Both exercises are intended to strengthen practical cooperation among member states and contribute toward maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. Looking ahead, the group plans further regular IPLN activities such as additional tabletop and field training exercises, confidence-building measures, and expert exchanges.
"The FTX reflected the Quad’s commitment to strengthening practical cooperation to address regional challenges and to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific," according to an official statement. "In the future, we plan to explore regular IPLN activities including tabletop and field training exercises, confidence building measures, and subject matter expert exchanges."
