The U.S. and Republic of Singapore navies will come together in Guam beginning Sept. 27 for Pacific Griffin 2019, the most advanced naval training between the two nations in their longstanding maritime partnership.
Pacific Griffin is a two-week maritime exercise conducted in the waters near Guam and aimed at enhancing combined proficiency at sea while strengthening relationships between the two navies. The exercise is an extension of the longstanding bilateral engagement, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), which the two navies have exercised annually since 1995.
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific, who oversees security cooperation for the U.S. Navy in Southeast Asia, said Pacific Griffin would allow the two navies to benefit from each other's knowledge and bolster their strong and enduring relationship.
"We are strongest when we sail together with friends and partners," said Tynch. "Pacific Griffin shows the trust, expertise and complexity of training we have built over decades - I know our Sailors will work together and deliver the very best."
The U.S. and Singapore work together on a number of initiatives and conduct regular personnel exchanges, routine participation in bilateral and multilateral exercises, such as SEACAT, RIMPAC, and the first ASEAN-U.S. Maritime Exercise (AUMX), as well as combined operations such as multi-national counter-piracy.
This biennial exercise iteration allows the two navies to advance the complexity of maritime training utilizing diverse naval platforms and operating areas.
U.S. Navy Capt. Matthew Jerbi, commodore, Destroyer Squadron Seven, said the exercise was an ideal venue to focus on challenging training.
"Pacific Griffin 2019 provides a great opportunity for our two navies, who work together throughout the year, to raise the standard of excellence even higher."
Pacific Griffin 2019 will have events both ashore and at-sea, such as amphibious planning operations, anti-submarine warfare demonstrations and replenishment at sea.
Participating U.S. Navy assets include the littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92), replenishment oiler USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE-6) and maritime patrol aircraft from Patrol Squadrons 1, 5 and 47.
USS Gabrielle Giffords, an Independence-variant littoral combat ship, is on her maiden deployment. The ship's arrival in the Indo-Pacific marked the first time two LCS operated simultaneous rotational deployments in the region.
As U.S. 7th Fleet's executive agent for theater security cooperation in South and Southeast Asia, Commander, Task Force 73 and Destroyer Squadron 7 conduct advanced planning, organize resources, and directly support the execution of CARAT and other engagements in the region.