YOKOSUKA, Japan -- Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka Site Marianas personnel and reservists participated in the annual Malabar exercise held for the first time in the waters off Guam, June 7-16.
The trilateral exercise included U.S. Navy, Indian and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships. It was an opportunity for the multinational forces to gain an understanding and share knowledge of their common environment in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. During Malabar, the navies conducted surface and sub-surface training and war games, in addition to carrier operations, maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations, search and seizure maneuvers, and professional exchanges.
Cmdr. Frederick Skinner, site director for NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Site Marianas said it was the first time Naval Base Guam has hosted the trilateral exercise with US, Japanese and Indian navies.
"We worked closely with the visiting units' supply departments well in advance of the exercise to ensure they received their materials in order to carry out their mission," said Skinner. "It allowed the Site Marianas team to provide the full gamut of logistic support products and services to our U.S. ships, including transportation, fuel, mail and cargo."
US. Navy participants in the milestone event included afloat units USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), USS Antietam (CG 54), USS Benfold (DDG 65), a Los Angeles-class submarine, a P-8A Poseidon, and USNS Rappahannock. In addition to U.S. forces, there were three Indian and three JMSDF ships taking part. Malabar 18 featured both ashore and at-sea training maneuvers in the waters off the coast of Guam. It was an effort by all three nations to share common knowledge and tactical scenarios for better mutual understanding.
"Exercise Malabar 2018 continues to reinforce the strategic importance of the waters of the Philippine Sea. It provides an opportunity for partner nations to share operational tactics and learn from one another," said Capt. Hans Sholley, commanding office of Naval Base Guam. "We are honored to be the site of this year's exercise and host the Indian and Japanese navies."
In the western U.S. territory, "Where America's Day Begins," the tropical island of Guam became a one-stop shop for everything from provisions and parts, to mail and hazardous material. In the weeks before and during the exercise, Site Marianas supported multiple port visits and countless on-loads and off-loads of high priority material, mail and depot level repairable parts.
"The exercise has really grown in its complexity and size over the years," said Skinner. "Our logistics team, which included some of our Navy reservists, [was] right on point when responding to the requirements of this important multinational exercise."
The exercise originally started as a bilateral exercise with U.S. and Indian naval forces. It was not until 2015 that Japan joined the annual exercise aimed at addressing some of the potential maritime security threats unique to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka is one of eight fleet logistics centers under Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP). Headquartered just 26 miles south of Tokyo, it is the western Pacific region's largest U.S. Navy logistics command, networking more than 14 sites with a mission to deliver supply and logistics solutions that enable deployed maritime warfighter readiness in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
NAVSUP provides U.S. naval forces with quality supplies and services. With headquarters in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP oversees logistics programs in the areas of supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting, resale, fuel, transportation, and security assistance. In addition, NAVSUP is responsible for quality-of-life issues for naval forces including food service, postal services, Navy Exchanges, and movement of household goods.