US, Japan conduct joint training

4th March 2016 - 13:15 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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Units from the US Navy conducted a Fleet Synthetic Training-Joint (FST-J) exercise with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) units in February, the US Navy announced on 3 March.

The FST-J is a computer-based training exercise that allows geographically separated units to collaborate in an operationally and tactically demanding environment. This latest FST-J 16-71 exercise was specifically focused on ballistic missile defence (BMD) training for JMSDF ships and forward-deployed ships to the US 7th fleet.

USS Curtis Wilbur, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, deployed in Sasebo, Japan, to coordinate training with Japan's Kong-class destroyer, Myoko, as part of the exercise. Teams on both ships exchanged operational integrated air and missile defence, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare defence information for tactical training.

Capt Adam Aycock, commanding officer, USS Shiloh (CG 67) and BMD commander, CTF 70, said: ‘FST-J is designed to test our tactics, techniques and procedures against possible threats and ensure Japanese and US forces are well versed and experienced in executing [them].

'The collaboration required to plan and execute an event like FST-J strengthens relationships and helps break down barriers, while the execution...makes the interoperability between the US-Japanese team more effective, efficient and lethal.'