Ships from the US Navy’s Japan-based carrier strike group centered around aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan teamed up with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH 181) for joint operations in the Philippine Sea.
The cooperative deployment started November 28 and concluded December 5.
Hyuga is a helicopter destroyer assigned to Commander, Escort Division 3. During the cooperative deployment, the strike group along with Hyuga participated in communication exercises, and cyber exercises while Naval Liaison Officers from the JMSDF embarked aboard strike group units.
While onboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Naval Liaison officers and staff from Commander, Escort Division 3 integrated with the Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and Commander, Task Force 70 staffs to coordinate bilateral training and operations underway.
“Every time we operate with the JMSDF it improves the way our forces work together.” said Capt. Steven DeMoss, deputy commodore, Destroyer Squadron 15. “We have no closer partner in the Indo-Pacific; it has been exciting to watch our alliance grow increasingly stronger in the face of growing threats in the Western Pacific.”