Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 conducted bilateral training with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) personnel from JS Teruzuki (DD 116) May 24-26 during USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group’s (CSG 5) 2022 deployment. JS Teruzuki joined Commander, Task Force 70/CSG 5 on May 24 and integrated with the DESRON 15 team, enhancing interoperability and surface operations while supporting the strike group during carrier qualifications for Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5. This builds on the training JS Teruzuki conducted with CSG 5 units during Ronald Reagan’s sea trials that concluded May 17.
“It’s a pleasure to work alongside Cmdr. Sato and the JS Teruzuki team,” said Capt. Walt Mainor, deputy commodore of DESRON 15 and embarked sea combat commander. “The integration of Teruzuki into the strike group demonstrates our interoperability with our regional ally. The synchronization we continue to develop allows us to conduct various trainings and bilateral exercises improving leadership at all levels, including individual proficiency, and sharpens command and control skills while challenging participants to adapt to changing conditions.”
JS Teruzuki and DESRON 15 conducted various training evolutions to include visit board search and seizure (VBSS), Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target (EMATT), and electronic warfare exercises, which demonstrate the commitment of the U.S. and Japan to share information together at sea. The alliance between the JMSDF and U.S. Navy seeks to advance joint operations, interoperability, and other principles that underpin security and well-being for the Indo-Pacific region.
The embarked DESRON staff is supporting the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, which departed Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) May 20 to support security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Destroyer Squadron 15 is the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principle Surface Force. U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest numbered fleet in the world, and with the help of 35 other maritime-nation allies and partners, the U.S. Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 70 years, providing credible, ready forces to help preserve peace and prevent conflict.
