Watchkeeping

U.S. Warships Join U.K., Japan for Big Deck Drills

Sgt. Maj. Mark Mangio, Senior Enlisted Chief of Marine Fighter Assault Squadron (VMFA) 242, thirty first Marine Expeditionary Unit, observes flight operations on the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), whereas conducting flight operations within the Coral Sea, July 31, 2025. US Navy photograph

U.S. warships are becoming a member of the U.Okay. Provider Strike Group (CSG) and Japan’s Kaga Job Group to drill within the Philippine Sea this week.

The George Washington Provider Strike Group and amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) will practice alongside the Japan Maritime Self-Protection Pressure (JMSDF) and elements from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Pressure, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Norwegian Navy and Spanish Navy by means of Aug. 12, in keeping with a JMSDF information launch.

The objective of the nine-day train, the JMSDF mentioned Tuesday, is to “understand a free and open Indo-Pacific,” in addition to to enhance tactical capabilities and strengthen cooperation between the taking part navies.

The navies will conduct tactical workouts, together with anti-submarine warfare drills and cross-deck workouts, the JMSDF mentioned.

The duty teams have a complete of 4 F-35 Lightning II fighter squadrons onboard which are taking part within the drills. The squadrons will embrace F-35Bs from the “Bats” of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 242 launched into America with a detachment on provider HMS Prince of Wales (R09), in addition to F-35Cs from the “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 launched into USS George Washington (CVN-73). The U.Okay. may also present two fighter squadrons – the “Dambusters” of RAF 617 Squadron and the “Immortal” of RN 809 Naval Air Squadron launched into Prince of Wales.

U.S. participation contains the George Washington CSG comprising plane provider George Washington with embarked Provider Air Wing (CVW) 5, cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) and destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86). America, the lead ship of the America Amphibious Prepared Group with the thirty first Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked, can also be taking part within the multi-large deck occasion.

The U.S. warships have been within the Philippine Sea on Monday, having sailed there following the multi-week Talisman Sabre train off the coast of Australia.

America is on its closing patrol because the forward-deployed large deck amphibious ship primarily based in Japan. When the ship completes its patrol, it’s anticipated to return to San Diego, Calif. America’s substitute, amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7), is already in Sasebo, Japan.

The U.Okay. CSG contains provider Prince of Wales, RN destroyer HMS Dauntless (D33), RAN destroyer HMAS Brisbane (DDG41), RN frigate HMS Richmond (F239), RNoN frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen (F311), Spanish Navy frigate ESPS Mendez Nunez (F-104) and fleet oiler RFA Tidespring (A136).

Japan’s Kaga Job Group consists of destroyer provider JS Kaga (DDH-184), destroyer JS Teruzuki (DD-116) and a submarine.

Train Pacific Steller was the final multi-large deck occasion held within the Indo-Pacific. The train, which happened within the Celebes Sea and Philippine Sea in February, featured the Carl Vinson CSG, the French CSG headed by plane provider FS Charles De Gaulle (R91) and Japan’s destroyer provider Kaga.


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Ryan

Ryan O'Neill is a maritime enthusiast and writer who has a passion for studying and writing about ships and the maritime industry in general. With a deep passion for the sea and all things nautical, Ryan has a plan to unite maritime professionals to share their knowledge and truly connect Sea 2 Shore.

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