P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and US Navy Patrol Squadron 40 (VP 40) stand ready at Andersen AFB, Guam, on 7 August 2014 in preparation for GUAMEX 2014. GUAMEX is a multilateral exercise intended to enhance the interoperability and to strengthen personnel ties between the US Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and Royal New Zealand Air Force. GUAMEX 2014 included twenty-five operational scenarios, and several aircraft familiarization tours. The exercise ran 9-15 August. Known as the Fighting Marlins, VP-40 deployed to Guam from NAS Whidbey Island, Washington.
