Navies of the US and Japan have successfully conducted a four-day Fleet Synthetic Training-Joint (FST-J) exercise to bolster their combat capabilities.
Personnel from Commander, Task Force 70, US Army and Air Force and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) participated in the exercise.
The exercise aimed at providing the forces with training in strike force level proficiency, operations, joint interoperability and mission rehearsal for ships, aviation, and submarine simulators.
"This will enhance our bilateral relations and interoperability between the US and JSDF when defending against hostile threats."
CTF 70 ballistic missile defence (BMD) officer lieutenant commander Phillip Moore said: "This is a joint and bilateral synthetic training exercise.
"We're working very closely with our regional ally, Japan, and are currently practicing and conducting our periodic certifications of BMD, tactics, techniques and procedures in a realistic, multi-warfare environment."
During training, both forces were put through computer-generated environmental conditions, political state of affairs and foreign military provocations eliminating the need to operate at sea.
FST-J not only involves conducting training exercises and synthetic pierside scenarios for the forces, but also helps the US navy strike group to gain experience in qualification, readiness and interoperability with its host nation.
USS John S McCain (DDG 56) BMD officer lieutenant jg Weston Ford said: "FST-J provides an excellent opportunity for Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) and US forces to operate in a complex and multi-warfare tactical environment.
"Ultimately, this will enhance our bilateral relations and interoperability between the US and JSDF when defending against hostile threats."
CTF 70 (Carrier Strike Group 5) includes Carrier Air Wing 5, Aegis cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Antietam (CG 54) and Destroyer Squadron 15.
US and Japanese forces conduct FST-J exercise to boost warfighting capabilities - Naval Technology
- perhaps they have anti-ICBM capability too
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