PHILIPPINE SEA – The Ronald Reagan Strike Group and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JSMDF) ship the Murasame-class destroyer JS Kirasame (DD 104) conducted maritime operations during a cooperative deployment in the Philippine Sea, Oct. 21-28.
During the cooperative deployment, Ronald Reagan Strike Group units and Kirasame conducted multiple exercises including ship maneuvering, communications, a fueling-at-sea, a replenishment-at-sea and Naval Liason Officers exchanges between the Kirasame and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) to promote interoperability between the two maritime forces.
JMSDF Capt. Shingo Motomura and several of his staff members spent the duration of the cooperative deployment onboard Ronald Reagan and had the opportunity to meet with Rear Adm. Karl O. Thomas, commander, Task Force 70, and Capt. Jon Duffy, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 15 (DESRON 15).
“Having Capt. Shingo Motomura aboard allowed our maritime forces to excel during our cooperative deployment. Being able to communicate in person always increases our units abilities when working with one another," said Duffy. “Maintaining our alliance and deep partnership with the JMSDF ensures security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region."
Units in the Ronald Reagan Strike Group include Ronald Reagan, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54).
The Ronald Reagan Strike Group is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.