The SDi team comprised of Ron Hidde, Rob Kunz, Jon Stone, Michael Ferrante, Patrick Waldron, and Kyle Robertson provided exceptional technical and operational support during the highly complex Valiant Shield 2026 Naval Exercise in Okinawa, Japan, enabling the successful execution of ASW flight events aboard the USMC MV-22B Osprey.

The team performed USMC personnel training, conducted extensive mission planning, dynamic re-planning, and synchronized efforts across multiple teams, maximizing the mission effectiveness of limited operational resources. 

They coordinated real-time mission execution between contractor personnel and USMC aircrews, flew onboard the MV-22B as inflight Project Specialists, coordinated successful sonobuoy pattern deployments, processed data and achieved all mission objectives. 

The team effectively managed multiple aircraft installation and reconfiguration events, minimizing schedule impacts, reducing operational downtime, and preserving critical test objectives.

These efforts maximized the government’s investment in exercise resources, enhanced fleet operational readiness, and delivered significant value through efficient execution of a high-priority naval capability demonstration. 

SDi mentors Jon Dionne, Rob Kunz, Mike Ferrante, Michael Carroll, and Brad Willman supported the project.