PHILIPPINE SEA (March 10, 2018) – The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS
Antietam (CG 54) led a Surface to Air Missile Exercise (SAMEX) during MultiSail 18 with U.S.
forward-deployed naval forces and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF) March 10,
2018 in the Philippine Sea.
This SAMEX builds interoperability between the U.S. Navy and the JMSDF, which strengthens
the US-Japanese alliance.
This year’s participants include five warships, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer
USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold
(DDG 65), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89), JS
Fuyuzuki (DD-118) and Antietam.
“Antietam plays an integral role in this year’s exercises, while leading the SAMEX and adding
the cruiser point of view to the normally destroyer focused Surface Action Group composition,”
said Lt. Mor Rosenberg, a warfare tactics instructor embarked aboard Antietam for the duration
of MultiSail 2018.
Rosenberg along with other professionals onboard provide critical support and feedback in the
planning and execution process of the exercises.
In preparation for MultiSail 2018, Sailors from Antietam and the other warships also participated
in Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training while in Guam. This training provided a
foundation for future operations.
“MultiSail 2018 is a unique opportunity to improve our proficiency and also test new tactics”
said, Capt. George Kessler Jr., the commanding officer of Antietam. “This exercise flexed my
team across warfare areas and integrated our operations with Japanese allies. Training like this
ensures we are able to ‘fight tonight’ in the Indo-Pacific region should the need arise.”
USS Antietam is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security
and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region