Tag Archives: RNZAF

Pour one out for The Jolly J

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Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 (VS26) concluded on 1 July, stretching across the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Japan, and at sea around the Mariana Islands Range Complex.

It was an impressive assemblage of vessels, built around the GW and Kaga carrier groups with support from other Pacific allies.

Think of it as a warm-up for RIMPAC, which is just warming up.

U.S. Navy aircraft, attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, and U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs fly over U.S. Navy George Washington Carrier Strike Group as it sails in formation with Japan Maritime Self- Defense Force as part of Valiant Shield 2026 while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 21, 2026. U.S. Navy participants include Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Shoup (DDG 86) and USS Benfold (DDG 65), and Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force participants include JS Kaga (DDH 184), JS Fuyuzuki (DD 118), and JS Jingei (SS 515). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Crowley)

The big culmination of VS26 was a SINKEX of a large combatant some 200nm from Guam, in this case the retired Austin-class ‘phib ex-USS Juneau (LPD-10), which had a storied career over nearly 40 years from Vietnam to Desert Storm and has been on red lead row since 2008.

The old girl took one hell of a beating. One that the Navy, probably in some advertising to China, isn’t afraid to share. 

First up was a Guam-deployed B-2 Spirit bomber hitting her with a 2,700-pound LRASM in an ode to Billy Mitchell. While the effect isn’t seen in real time, its half-ton warhead left the 17,000-ton LPD listing and with a flooded well deck.

A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, deploys an AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) to support a live-fire sinking exercise as part of Valiant Shield 2026 over the Philippine Sea, June 27, 2026. This maritime strike in the Pacific showcased the Joint Force’s capacity for simultaneous global operations while underscoring U.S. commitment to regional security and cooperation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Thomas Barley)

Juneau then caught two Australian-owned AGM-84 Harpoons from an RNZAF P-8A Poseidon of No. 5 Squadron, with the Kiwis assisted by an RAAF Poseidon and two from the U.S. Navy.

This is the first time an RNZAF Poseidon has taken part in Valiant Shield, which started in 2006 and is in its 11th iteration this year, and the first time they have used anti-ship ordnance, which were loaded at Anderson AFB in Guam.

She also suffered from ordnance delivered by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force SH-60 maritime helicopter and Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 multirole fighter aircraft.

Then came the coup de grace delivered by an unnamed Japanese submarine (likely JS Jingei, SS 515). A bit of a tragic twist of fate when you consider the loss of a previous USS Juneau (CL-52), which was lost to a Japanese submarine in 1942 and carried almost all of her crew, including the five Sullivan brothers, to the bottom.

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine fires a torpedo at the decommissioned USS Juneau in support of a live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of Valiant Shield 2026 while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 27, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anthony Vilardi)

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine fires a torpedo at the decommissioned USS Juneau in support of a live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of Valiant Shield 2026 while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 27, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anthony Vilardi)

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine fires a torpedo at the decommissioned USS Juneau in support of a live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of Valiant Shield 2026 while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 27, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anthony Vilardi)

The Jolly J now lies with the fishes. A hard-earned rest.

Acquit yourselves like men

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Some 80 years ago this month, No. 489 Squadron RNZAF, part of RAF Coastal Command at Langham, finished the transition from their lumbering Handley Page Hampden medium bombers to an aggressive new type, the Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter TF Mk.X.

This image hails from the Air Force Museum of New Zealand Photograph Collection, as are all from this post.

Torpedo armed Beaufighter and crew of No. 489 Squadron. Note the firing ports for her nose-mounted 20mm cannons. PR9035

Capable of carrying a 1,500-pound 18-inch torpedo Mark XII aerial torpedo (or a similar weight of bombs and rockets) as well as four nose-mounted Hispano Mark II 20mm cannons, a rear gunner in a bubble turret upstairs, and a six-pack of .303 Brownings in the wings, the big twin-engined attack plane could hit speeds of 320 mph and had an armed range of 1,700 miles.

The Beau was meant to take the fight to the enemy.

No. 489 would finish their conversion this month– which was made easy as they cut their teeth on the similar but slower Bristol Beaufort when formed in 1941– the Kiwis would soon be off to attack German shipping in occupied Norway (as well as off Holland and over the Channel as needed, for instance during Overlord).

30 June 1944: A great air-to-air view of a torpedo-armed No. 489 Squadron RNZAF Beaufighter No. P6-S, being flown by Pilot Officer Burrowes, making its first trip to Norway, escorted by a No. 315 Squadron RAF (Polish) Mustang No. PK-Whisky was piloted by Flying Officer T Haczkiewics, on a five-and-a-half-hour sortie. Note the “invasion stripes” on both aircraft. Photo PR10329

Image from the No. 489 Squadron unofficial diary. No. 489 Squadron aircraft attacking a ship that had eight Beaufighters painted on the bridge as claims. The ship was destroyed. PR10353

Aerial oblique, taken during an attack by No. 489 Squadron, on German Merchant shipping in Norwegian Fjord, Vindsfjord (Vindspol).

Image from the DH Mann personal album collection. No. 489 Squadron attack on “M” Class Minesweepers Burning After Straffing.”

Image from the DH Mann personal album collection. No. 489 Squadron “Attack On Convoy. Aug 29th 1944. Position 54° 10′ North. 08° 04′ East.”

No. 489 Squadron Beaufighters attacking ships off The Naze. There are 12 crews listed in the No. 489 Squadron unofficial diary.

No. 489 Squadron Beaufighter fires a salvo of rockets at an enemy ship. Unknown location.

Aerial oblique taken during an attack by No. 489 Squadron on German Merchant shipping in Norwegian Fjord, Orstenfiord (Orsta Fiord)

Joint Wing attack on shipping, off Den Helder. Copied from the No. 489 Squadron unofficial Unit History.

Their last operational sortie was 21 May 1945, and, while they would transition to Mosqutos post-VE-Day in preparation to head to the Pacific, it turned out the Emperor would throw in the towel before they arrived and they were disbanded.

During WWII, No. 489 flew 2,380 sorties across 9,773 hours on operations and lost 33 brave lads.

Their motto, in Moari, is Whakatanagata kia kaha (“Acquit yourselves like men, be strong”).

An oil painting saluting the squadron and its “Beautiful Beaus” is in the RNZAF Museum. 

Copy of an acrylic painting by RM Conly “489 Squadron Beaufighter”. Shows a No. 489 Squadron Beaufighter with a No. 315 Squadron Mustang escort over burning ships. See PR10329 for the original photograph this was painted from.