US Navy’s USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and JDS Kashima (TV-3508), from the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF), conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Yukon (T-AO-202), June 17.
Command Task Force 33 (CTF-33) coordinated Stennis’ and Kashima’s simultaneous replenishment-at-sea. Along with Kashima, two other Japanese vessels, JDS Shimayuki (TV-3513) and JDS Yamagiri (DD-152), were in formation after leaving San Diego earlier this week for Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2016 planning.
Operations like this, where the U.S. Navy coordinates with other nations, fit into a larger overall naval picture, helping the U.S. strengthen ties with its allies.
Stennis is scheduled to participate in RIMPAC, the world’s largest international maritime training exercise, in summer 2016.
Image: US Navy