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The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S. Navy regularly work together, conducting replenishments at sea.
These on-station resupply missions help each country’s ships maintain their operational schedules.
Recently, Military Sealift Command’s USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) conducted a RAS with JS Towada (AOE 422), transferring fuel, which the Japanese replenishment ship will later deliver to JMSDF vessels operating in the Indo-Pacific.
"We always appreciate the opportunity to work alongside our Japanese Allies,” said Capt. Alexander Munz, master of USNS Charles Drew.
“The seamless coordination and professionalism in the JMSDF help ensure safe and efficient operations.
“Together, we ensure U.S. and allied ships in the region have the critical supplies they need to conduct their missions."
Combined engagements, like underway replenishments, offer both nations more than just food, fuel or spare parts. In addition, each interaction provides the opportunity to continually build upon the relationship between Japan and the United States and enhance interoperability and communication between the two navies.
“For more than 60 years, we’ve worked together and learned from one another, constantly strengthening the U.S.-Japan Alliance, which has been the cornerstone of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Capt. Samuel F. de Castro, commodore of Military Sealift Command Far East.
“Whether it’s an exercise, a resupply mission, or a collaborative response to world events, such as a natural disaster, we always learn from our Japanese counterparts, and we improve our interoperability and interchangeability.”
“The alliance is strong because of the close and constant engagement at all levels.”
Charles Drew is a dry cargo and ammunition ship in the U.S. Navy’s Combat Logistics Force operating in the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility.
As the U.S. Navy's largest forward deployed fleet, U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates between 50-70 ships and submarines and 140 aircraft with approximately 20,000 Sailors. 7th Fleet's area of operation spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South Pacific, providing security and stability to the region. 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security while conducting a wide-range of missions to support humanitarian efforts and uphold international laws and freedoms of the sea.
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 02.24.2021 01:38 |
| Story ID: | 389577 |
| Location: | U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY |
| Web Views: | 75 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, JMSDF, USN Rendezvous Keeps Allies Well Provisioned, Strengthens Interchangeability, by Leslie Hull-Ryde, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
