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YOKOSUKA, Japan (Dec. 21, 2023) – The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) presented Cmdr. James Billings, operations officer of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON 15) with Japan’s Defense Cooperation Medal (Second Class) at a ceremony held at the JMSDF Headquarters December 21.
Billings, a native of Washington, D.C., was recognized for his achievements in planning and executing high-visibility operations and exercises with multiple partner nations across the Western Pacific. The presentation of this award was not only a manifestation of CTF 71’s longstanding cooperation with the JMSDF but reflects the value the Japanese Government places in CTF 71’s larger commitment to supporting a growing list of allied and partner surface operations throughout the Western Pacific.
“I am grateful to be recognized for my efforts, but this award serves as a reflection of the collective efforts of the CTF 71 staff, JMSDF, and our other allies and partners throughout the theater,” said Billings. “The missions we are required to execute across the Navy’s largest and most dynamic theater require us to operate seamlessly across multiple navies at a moment’s notice. I thank the JMSDF, their staff, and the nation of Japan.”
Billings has been assigned to CTF 71 since July 2022. Prior to his assignment at CTF 71, he served on four ships forward deployed to Japan, to include having commanded USS CHIEF (MCM 14) in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture. He also studied as an Olmsted Scholar in Shanghai, China.
The Defense Cooperation Award (Second Class) is presented to members of foreign armed forces who distinguished themselves by their most notable achievement or service rendered in contribution to defense cooperation between Japan and their countries. This is the highest medal Japanese government awards to members of a foreign military.
According to the award announcement, Billings’ unrelenting perseverance and steadfast devotion to duty reflected great credit on him and contributed significantly to perpetuating the legacy for CTF 71 as a primary liaison for ally and partner integration.
Capt. Justin Harts, Commander, Task Force 71, also attended the ceremony.
""This award demonstrates formal recognition of our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," said Harts. "It shows that we aren’t going to wait for crisis to form a coalition—that the growing coalition already exists, and James' helped maintain it every single day. No ask from our allies like Japan was too big or too small, and this recognition for his support to the government of Japan is a testament to the importance of his hard work and the value of CTF 71.""
During his next tour, Billings will serve as the executive officer aboard USS Higgins (DDG 76), one of the destroyers forward deployed to Japan assigned to DESRON 15.
DESRON 15 is the Navy’s largest destroyer squadron, consisting of nine Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. In addition to serving as immediate superior in command for these destroyers, DESRON 15 serves as Seventh Fleet’s Surface Warfare Commander managing all U.S. Navy cruiser and destroyer and U.S. Coast Guard cutter independent deployments to the Western Pacific, while also serving as CTF-70’s Sea Combat Commander and providing all traditional support to the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group.
U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
| Date Taken: | 12.21.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 01.04.2024 00:30 |
| Story ID: | 461288 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, JP |
| Web Views: | 345 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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