US Reinforces Indo-Pacific Intelligence Posture with RC135 Spy Plane Deployment to Australia.

According to information published by the US Air Force on June 5, 2025, the United States recently deployed an RC-135V Rivet Joint spy plane to Australia, its key ally in the South Pacific, to enhance its intelligence-gathering capabilities from a forward-deployed location in the Indo-Pacific region. This strategic deployment took place as part of Exercise RECCE-Edge 25, organized by the 18th Wing based in Kadena, Japan. It reflects Washington’s intent to maintain a responsive surveillance posture in light of China’s growing military presence in the area.
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The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint is a dedicated electronic intelligence platform, adapted from the legacy C-135 airframe and extensively modified to perform signal intelligence (SIGINT) tasks (Picture source: US DoD)

The RC-135V Rivet Joint and its supporting team of 55 personnel from the 82nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron operated from Darwin between May 19 and 23, 2025. Though administratively attached to the 55th Wing headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, the squadron has maintained a continuous operational presence at Kadena since 1968. Upon arrival in Darwin, the aircraft was brought to full operational status in under twelve hours, underscoring the US Air Force’s ability to rapidly project strategic ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) assets to austere forward locations. This capability is essential in extending the range and tempo of intelligence missions across the Indo-Pacific.

The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint is a dedicated electronic intelligence platform, adapted from the legacy C-135 airframe and extensively modified to perform signal intelligence (SIGINT) tasks. It is equipped with an array of sensors designed to detect, classify, and geolocate electromagnetic emissions across a wide spectrum. These include radar signals, communications transmissions, and other electronic signatures of interest. The aircraft’s mission systems are supported by a robust onboard communications suite that enables the crew to disseminate collected intelligence in real time to combatant commands and allied partners. The platform can accommodate over 30 crew members, including cockpit personnel, electronic warfare officers, intelligence analysts, and onboard maintenance staff.

From a technical standpoint, the Rivet Joint is powered by four CFM International CFM-56 turbofan engines, delivering a cruising speed exceeding 800 kilometers per hour, an operational ceiling of 15,000 meters, and a range of approximately 6,500 kilometers. The aircraft is not armed, relying instead on its high-altitude flight profile and stand-off operating distance for protection. Its design prioritizes persistent surveillance and rapid deployment, enabling the US to maintain flexible ISR coverage across vast areas of interest without the need for permanent infrastructure in every theater.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Ellsworth, the operations director for the deployed squadron, described the Darwin deployment as an example of scalable forward engagement and emphasized the strategic value of operating from a trusted partner nation in the South Pacific. Major Robert Anglin, deputy operations officer, added that the mission demonstrated the ability to maintain full ISR coverage of the Indo-Pacific region even when operating far from permanent bases. These statements highlight the evolving model of distributed operations, where mobility and partner-nation basing form the backbone of regional presence.

This deployment also aligns with a broader increase in US reconnaissance activity in the region. In 2024 alone, the United States conducted over 1,000 ISR flights across the South China Sea, a notable uptick driven by concerns over the rapid modernization of China's missile forces, some of which are assessed as having the range and targeting capability to threaten US bases in Japan and Guam. Such strategic concerns have prompted Washington to diversify its ISR basing footprint and reduce reliance on a limited number of large, vulnerable installations.

By deploying the RC-135V to Australia, the United States reinforces its ability to collect, analyze, and share intelligence in real time with Indo-Pacific allies while showcasing a scalable model of forward ISR operations. The Rivet Joint’s deployment illustrates a growing reliance on flexible, high-end reconnaissance assets that can integrate seamlessly with allied forces and respond to dynamic regional security challenges. As strategic competition intensifies in the Indo-Pacific, such forward deployments are likely to become more frequent and essential to maintaining awareness, deterrence, and preparedness across the region.