***Correction (April 27, 2017): Flight operations with the Japan Air Self Defense Force and Carrier Air Wing 2 were cancelled April 26 and April 27 due to unfavorable weather. Training events with Carl Vinson Strike Group and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force ships continued in the Philippine Sea in waters south of Japan. The Carl Vinson Strike Group and Japan Air Self Defense Force are looking at rescheduling combined flight operations at a later date.***
Japan Air Self Defense Forces and aircraft from Carrier Air Wing Two assigned to the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group are conducting combined aviation exercises in the Philippine Sea. The exercise consists of combined air training and information sharing to increase interoperability and communication among joint services.
This aviation-focused exercise followed a two-day bilateral maritime exercise as Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force ships transited the Philippine Sea. JASDF aircraft integrated seamlessly with CSG-1's ongoing air wing training in the waters south of Japan.
Both exercises demonstrate the flexibility of U.S. naval forces and Japan Self Defense forces to work together in a maritime environment in order to quickly respond to threats in the region.