OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN -- F-15 Strike Eagle pilot Captain Dave Mentzer from Kadena Air Base, Japan, looks up to the boom operator of a KC-135 Stratotanker while being aerial refueled over the Pacific Ocean during Exercise Valiant Shield, 20 June, 2006. Valiant Shield 2006, the U.S. Pacific Command exercise, which runs June 19 to 23, will be conducted in the vicinity of Guam. Valiant Shield focuses on integrated joint training and interoperability among U.S. military forces while responding to a range of mission scenarios.