By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
AIRAI, Palau (July 24, 2025) — The recent loud aircraft noises heard in Airai and surrounding areas are linked to the ongoing U.S. Air Force exercise Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC) 2025, officials confirmed.
REFORPAC, the largest U.S. Air Force contingency-response and readiness exercise ever conducted in the Indo-Pacific region, began July 10 and continues through August 8. The exercise involves over 12,000 personnel and between 350 to 400 aircraft across more than 50 locations, including Palau, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawai‘i, and Japan.
In Palau, however, only 100 U.S. Air Force personnel are participating, along with six F-35A Lightning II fighter jets and one KC-135 aerial refueling tanker, flying one mission daily.
Palau’s portion of the exercise began on July 22 and concludes July 24, according to U.S. Air Force Chief Chris Lelah.
Capt. Kristina Strickland told Island Times that the F-35A is the primary aircraft operating out of Palau International Airport, conducting routine sortie generation. “Most noise will likely be heard during the F-35’s conventional takeoffs and landings,” she said.
Strickland also noted that the local government had been notified two to three months in advance via the Joint Region Marianas-Mariana Islands Range Training Complex (JRM-MIRC), and that a public advisory was issued on July 8 by Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs. The U.S. Embassy in Koror also shared a social media post warning of possible noise on the same day the aircraft were heard overhead.
Still, many residents were caught off guard.
“The noise was so disturbing. The children and I were startled. My first thought was that it sounded like war cries,” said one woman from Ngerbeched. “We only found out later from neighbors and social media that it was caused by military aircraft.”
Strickland said noise considerations are factored into planning exercises in foreign countries. “Fostering and maintaining relationships with our partners is key,” she said.
She added that REFORPAC is intended to strengthen the U.S. military’s ability to respond effectively to potential contingency operations in the region. “The aim is to enhance cooperation with allies and partners to maintain regional stability and security,” Strickland said.