U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Mustin (DDG 89) and USS McCampbell (DDG 85) completed Guam Exercise 2016 (Guamex) with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) January 23.
This annual training exercise allows JMSDF and U.S. Navy to work alongside each other in the international waters near Guam.
The helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182) served as the JMSDF flagship for Rear Admiral Hiroshi Ito, commander, Escort Flotilla 4, during the exercise. The destroyer was accompanied by six ships of various classes of JMSDF Escort Divisions 4 and 8.
The training events spanned the anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-aircraft warfare areas, in some cases involving the protection of the flagship Ise.
Commander Thane Clare , commanding officer of USS Mustin, said: “Guamex was a fantastic opportunity to hone our tactical skills in close cooperation with our JMSDF allies.”
The crews of both Mustin and McCampbell enjoyed a brief visit to Guam, where they were joined by their Japanese counterparts from the JMSDF ships. Additionally, both countries exchanged liaison officers for the duration of the exercise.
Mustin and McCampbell participated in Guamex as part of a routine patrol in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asian Pacific.
[mappress mapid=”17659″]