By: L.N. Reklai

KOROR, Palau — The U.S. Army Pacific and Special Operations Command Pacific will conduct a joint military exercise in Palau this month, featuring live-fire training with the MIM-104 Patriot Missile System at Palau International Airport.

The event, part of Exercise Tenacious Archer 2025, is scheduled for Aug. 14–22 and will include integrated air and missile defense training. The Patriot system is capable of intercepting cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and aircraft.

During the drill, surrogate targets in the form of drones will fly over a designated area east of Palau, where Patriot interceptor missiles will engage them.

Authorities will impose safety restrictions during the exercise. A Notice to Mariners will limit access to nearshore areas and waters under the flight path, while a Notice to Air Missions will direct aircraft to avoid the area. The Palau Bureau of Public Safety and Airai State Rangers will assist in securing the site.

Military officials said live-fire exercises are critical for maintaining readiness and interoperability with regional allies and partners.
 “Conducting training in different locations across the region enables us to continue enhancing our proficiency to support a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the U.S. Army Pacific said in a statement released Monday through the U.S. Embassy in Koror.

The Tenacious Archer series is held across the Indo-Pacific to strengthen regional security and stability.