JMSDF Anti-Submarine Warfare Training during AE11*

 By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Juan Pinalez

PACIFIC OCEAN - Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) assigned to Escort Flotilla Three, U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Task Force 70, and the USS George Washington Strike Group, collaborated on anti-submarine warfare techniques during Annual Exercise 2011 (AE11) Oct. 28.

PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 29, 2011) - Sailors prepare an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the "Diamondbacks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 for launch on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam K. Thomas)

AE11 is a weeklong bi-lateral naval exercise conducted in the waters off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. It allows the United States and Japan to practice and evaluate coordination procedures and interoperability elements. These exercises are required to effectively and mutually respond to the defense of Japan, a regional crisis, or a contingency situation in the Asia-Pacific region.

“I’m very happy to be aboard George Washington and to participate in this year’s annual exercise,” said Capt. Fumihiko Tsukada, commander, Escort Flotilla Three (CCF3) Chief of Staff. “We are currently learning how to protect our high value targets against enemy submarines and are also increasing the interoperability between the U.S. Navy and the JMSDF.”

Tsukada’s role aboard George Washington is to coordinate with the JMSDF and the U.S. Navy in support of the large and complex exercise. It involves maritime training in air, surface and subsurface battle spaces in support of the defense of Japan.

Senior Chief Operations Specialist (SW/AW) Jason Madott, AE11’s assistant joint-interface control officer aboard George Washington said, “We have advanced systems that allow us to share radar information with each other to paint a very detailed and shared picture to fight a war if needed,” said Madott, “With our equipment we can pick up submarines, aircraft, or surface ships and put that data on a common operating picture so our commanders can work together to make the proper decisions to maintain sea superiority.”

For the JMSDF, the real asset gained is the experience they get from Destroyer Squadron 15 and the ability to share vital information openly between sea partners, said Tsukada. Tsukada participated in Keen Sword in 2010 and had the opportunity to see the display of sea power projection from one of the JMSDF ships.

“This year I am looking forward to seeing the view from George Washington’s Signal Bridge; I’ll see an impressive view of all the ships,” said Tsukada.

In addition to George Washington, other U.S. ships participating include the guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) and the guided-missile destroyers USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS Dewey (DDG 98), USS Lassen (DDG 82), USS Stethem (DDG 63) and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108); the amphibious ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46); mine countermeasure ships USS Guardian (MCM 5) and USS Patriot (MCM 7); and maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft and U.S. submarines.

* Notícia publicada al lloc web oficial de la 7a Flota de la US Navy, responsable del Pacífic oest i part de l'Oceà Índic. Els exercicis conjunts entre les flotes dels Estats Units i el Japó, després d'un relaxament posterior a l'enfonsament de l'URSS, han ressorgit amb forces renovades davant el creixement xinés.