JasonJ Posted September 8, 2018 Author Posted September 8, 2018 India and the US to carry out Exercise Yudh Abhyas in Uttarakhand from September 16th to September 29th which will involve about 400 personnel from both sides. New Delhi, Sep 7 (PTI) Armies of India and the US will hold their annual combat exercise "Yudh Abhyas" at Chaubatia in Uttarakhand from September 16 to 29 with an aim to enhance inter-operability between the two forces, officials said. They said the exercise will also focus on enhancing counter-terror cooperation. The officials said the scope and intensity of this year's exercise will be much wider, in reflection of upswing in defence ties between the two countries. Around 400 soldiers from each side are expected to participate in the exercise, the officials. The defence and security cooperation between the US and India has witnessed a new momentum in the last couple of years. Yesterday, the two countries signed a path-breaking agreement which will allow Indian defence forces to receive military-grade communications equipment from the US and ensure access to real-time encrypted information. The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) will also help India to obtain critical defence technologies from the US. In July, the US announced granting India the status of Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA-1) country, the only South Asian nation to be given the designation along with the US' NATO allies like South Korea, Australia and Japan. The STA-1 status will help India get critical technology from the US in the defence and certain other key areas. The move is expected to further facilitate India-US trade and technology collaboration in defence and high technology areas. Currently there are 36 countries on the STA-1 list. Till recently India was designated as STA-2 countries, along with seven others. In June 2016, the US had designated India as "Major Defence Partner" intending to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners. PTI MPB ZMNhttps://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2018/09/07/del52-def-indo-us.html A C-90 of the Philippine Navy conducted joint training in search ans rescue with JS Kaga, Inazuma, and Suzutsuki in the Sulu Sea near Palawan island on September 7th.http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/201809/20180907-01.pdf
Dark_Falcon Posted September 10, 2018 Posted September 10, 2018 India and the US to carry out Exercise Yudh Abhyas in Uttarakhand from September 16th to September 29th which will involve about 400 personnel from both sides. New Delhi, Sep 7 (PTI) Armies of India and the US will hold their annual combat exercise "Yudh Abhyas" at Chaubatia in Uttarakhand from September 16 to 29 with an aim to enhance inter-operability between the two forces, officials said. They said the exercise will also focus on enhancing counter-terror cooperation. The officials said the scope and intensity of this year's exercise will be much wider, in reflection of upswing in defence ties between the two countries. Around 400 soldiers from each side are expected to participate in the exercise, the officials. The defence and security cooperation between the US and India has witnessed a new momentum in the last couple of years. Yesterday, the two countries signed a path-breaking agreement which will allow Indian defence forces to receive military-grade communications equipment from the US and ensure access to real-time encrypted information. The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) will also help India to obtain critical defence technologies from the US. In July, the US announced granting India the status of Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA-1) country, the only South Asian nation to be given the designation along with the US' NATO allies like South Korea, Australia and Japan. The STA-1 status will help India get critical technology from the US in the defence and certain other key areas. The move is expected to further facilitate India-US trade and technology collaboration in defence and high technology areas. Currently there are 36 countries on the STA-1 list. Till recently India was designated as STA-2 countries, along with seven others. In June 2016, the US had designated India as "Major Defence Partner" intending to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners. PTI MPB ZMNhttps://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2018/09/07/del52-def-indo-us.html A C-90 of the Philippine Navy conducted joint training in search ans rescue with JS Kaga, Inazuma, and Suzutsuki in the Sulu Sea near Palawan island on September 7th.http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/201809/20180907-01.pdf Well, at least the Japanese are on the same side as our submarines this time when they go through Palawan Passage.
JasonJ Posted September 10, 2018 Author Posted September 10, 2018 India and the US to carry out Exercise Yudh Abhyas in Uttarakhand from September 16th to September 29th which will involve about 400 personnel from both sides. New Delhi, Sep 7 (PTI) Armies of India and the US will hold their annual combat exercise "Yudh Abhyas" at Chaubatia in Uttarakhand from September 16 to 29 with an aim to enhance inter-operability between the two forces, officials said. They said the exercise will also focus on enhancing counter-terror cooperation. The officials said the scope and intensity of this year's exercise will be much wider, in reflection of upswing in defence ties between the two countries. Around 400 soldiers from each side are expected to participate in the exercise, the officials. The defence and security cooperation between the US and India has witnessed a new momentum in the last couple of years. Yesterday, the two countries signed a path-breaking agreement which will allow Indian defence forces to receive military-grade communications equipment from the US and ensure access to real-time encrypted information. The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) will also help India to obtain critical defence technologies from the US. In July, the US announced granting India the status of Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA-1) country, the only South Asian nation to be given the designation along with the US' NATO allies like South Korea, Australia and Japan. The STA-1 status will help India get critical technology from the US in the defence and certain other key areas. The move is expected to further facilitate India-US trade and technology collaboration in defence and high technology areas. Currently there are 36 countries on the STA-1 list. Till recently India was designated as STA-2 countries, along with seven others. In June 2016, the US had designated India as "Major Defence Partner" intending to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners. PTI MPB ZMN https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2018/09/07/del52-def-indo-us.html A C-90 of the Philippine Navy conducted joint training in search ans rescue with JS Kaga, Inazuma, and Suzutsuki in the Sulu Sea near Palawan island on September 7th.http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/201809/20180907-01.pdf Well, at least the Japanese are on the same side as our submarines this time when they go through Palawan Passage. Could say the samething towards US carriers for whenever they dock at Yokosuka
JasonJ Posted September 21, 2018 Author Posted September 21, 2018 Eleven Australian aircraft that include FA-18s to visit Hokkaido for joint training with around 10 F-15Js and F-2s from September 10th through to September 30th. Japan's Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Air Force will engage in joint exercises for the first time in Japan, against a backdrop of China's increasing military presence. Japanese officials say 11 Australian aircraft, including several FA-18s, will arrive at Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on September 10th. The training runs through the 30th. Around 10 F-15 and F-2 aircraft from Japan will also take part. The training will include combat exercises off northern Japan. The Air Self-Defense Force has held a number of training sessions with the US Air Force. In 2016, it trained with Britain's Royal Air Force for the first time in Japan. General Yoshinari Marumo, the ASDF chief of staff, said that training with not only the US but also Britain and Australia helps Self-Defense Force personnel improve their skills. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180831_32/ Was cancelled because of the earthquake in Hokkaido that occurred on September 6th and the SDF services being used for Earthquake recovery work.http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/news/houdou/H30/300906.pdf
JasonJ Posted September 21, 2018 Author Posted September 21, 2018 Exercise Rising Thunder - About 230 US Army personnel to train with about 130 from the JGSDF with various infantry weapons and Strikers at Yakima training center in Washington state from August 23rd to September 22nd.http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/news/press/2018/pdf/20180802.1.pdf Exercise Northern Viper - About 1,250 personnel from the JGSDF to train with about 1,500 personnel from the USMC with various infantry weapons, HIMARS, Type 99 155mm SPGs, MV-22s, CH-53, etc. Training locations include Hokkaido large maneuver grounds, Yasubetsu maneuver grounds, and Kamifurano maneuver grounds. Goes from September 10th to September 29th.http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/news/press/2018/pdf/20180823.pdf A couple videos from that training.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVbckRj1NKshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8YqpIXsgpM
JasonJ Posted September 21, 2018 Author Posted September 21, 2018 Exercise Valiant Shield 2018 - US only but is big and at Guam. PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 17, 2018) The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) leads a formation of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 ships as U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft and U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets pass overhead for a photo exercise during Valiant Shield 2018. The biennial, U.S. only, field-training exercise focuses on integration of joint training among the U.S. Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. This is the seventh exercise in the Valiant Shield series that began in 2006. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Erwin Miciano/Released) Full article on its size and composition.https://www.navy.mil/view_imagex.asp?id=270015&t=1 The high-end biennial Valiant Shield exercise kicked off in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands on Sunday, with some of the Navy’s and Marine Corps’ most advanced platforms participating in the weeklong event.The exercise – a high-end, U.S.-only follow-up to the large-scale multi-national Rim of the Pacific exercise every other year – features more than a dozen ships, 160 aircraft and 15,000 personnel from all four military branches. This is the seventh iteration of the exercise, which began in 2006.“We are excited to be here for exercise Valiant Shield as Guam gives us a world-class joint-training opportunity,” exercise director Rear Adm. Daniel Dwyer said in a news release.“The Marianas Island Range Complex is a premier training environment that allows the joint force a unique opportunity to come together and train side-by-side at the high end.”To support that high-end warfighting training, the exercise will feature the Marines’ new F-35B Joint Strike Fighter for the first time ever; two P-8A Poseidon maritime multi-mission aircraft squadrons; and guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG-69), the most recent ship to go through a combat system upgrade and be rotated into the forward-deployed naval forces in U.S. 7th Fleet.Participating forces will conduct missions that include maritime interdiction; defensive counter-air operations; personnel recovery; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; anti-submarine warfare; and command and control, U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gorman told USNI News.Valiant Shield will also include a sinking exercise (SINKEX), in which ships and aircraft will shoot at and sink decommissioned USS St. Louis (LKA-116). PACFLT did not comment on the specifics of the SINKEX, but two SINKEXs at RIMPAC in July included multiple Harpoon missile shots, as well as the U.S. Army firing a Naval Strike Missile from a Palletized Load System ashore.So far, according to captions from photos of the exercise, USS Shoup (DDG-86) has launched Tomahawk cruise missiles, and Milius and guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) launched Standard Missile-2s.Not included in the exercise are any amphibious ships. Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) had been hosting the F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons (VMFA) 121 but is currently supporting disaster relief efforts following Typhoon Mangkhut, along with dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD-48) and Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.Naval forces participating in Valiant Shield 2018 include:Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and Carrier Air Wing 5Guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG-62)Guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-54)Guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG-69)Guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86)Guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG-65)Guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG-73)Dry cargo ship USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE-14)Maritime prepositioning ship USNS 2ND LT John P. Bobo (T-AK-3008)Large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Dahl (T-AKR-312)Fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO-204)Aviation Logistics Support (Roll-on/Roll-off) Container Ship SS Curtiss (T-AVB-4)P-8A Poseidons from Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 and VP-26, out of Jacksonville, Fla.P-3C Orion anti-submarine and maritime patrol aircraft from VP-40 and VP-46 and EP-3E Aries II from Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 1, all under Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10 in Whidbey Island, Wash.; along with personnel from the air wing and Task Force 72MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 25, the Navy’s only forward-deployed expeditionary squadron of MH-60Ss, which operates out of Andersen Air Force Base in GuamF-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters from Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons (VMFA) 121F/A-18D Hornets from VMFA (all weather) 225MV-22 Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265A detachment from Marine Air Control Group 18KC-130J Hercules tankers from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 12Marine Air Command Squadron (MACS) 4Personnel from 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), and Marine Aircraft Group 12Personnel from and Task Force 75Coastal Riverine Squadron 2Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 530th Naval Construction RegimentNaval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11Underwater Construction Team 2Mobile Dive and Salvage Unit 1Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303Navy Expeditionary Intelligence Commandhttps://news.usni.org/2018/09/18/high-end-exercise-valiant-shield-2018-features-f-35bs-12-ships-15000-personnel A U.S. Air Force B-1B undergoes post flight inspections on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in preparation for exercise Valiant Shield 18, Sept. 15, 2018. Valiant Shield is a biennial, U.S. only, field training exercise with a focus on integration of joint training among U.S. forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Bumpus)https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4738119/air-force-b-1b-supports-valiant-shield A Quick Strike extended range mine hangs from a B-52 on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of Valiant Shield 18, Sept. 16, 2018. Valiant Shield is a biennial, U.S. only, field training exercise with a focus on integration of joint training among U.S. forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Bumpus)https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4738138/b-52-tests-new-extended-range-mine U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 taxis before taking off for a live-fire training exercise on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Valiant Shield 2018 Sept. 16, 2018. Valiant Shield is a biennial, U.S. only, field training exercise with a focus on integration of joint training among U.S. forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Bumpus)https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4738173/f-35bs-support-exercise-valiant-shield-18
JasonJ Posted September 21, 2018 Author Posted September 21, 2018 From September 30th to October 12th, about 60 personnel from the JGDSF will train with about 50 personnel from the British Army in Japan in directing combined firepower at Fuji school, North Fuji Maneuvering Area, and Ojojihara Maneuver Area.http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/news/press/2018/pdf/20180914.pdf
JasonJ Posted September 23, 2018 Author Posted September 23, 2018 The joint-exercise schedule for units of the JGSDF with other countries for Fiscal Year 2018. I usually avoid articles that talk about planned events because of the possibility of cancellations, changes, or the ariticle itself just being fake hype, but, this document is probably more likely to really happen. But the document does say possibility of some changes and possible additional exercises as part of coordination with the US. US-Japan joint-training-Command and Control: Yama Sakura 74, Northern Army, in the US, June-Command and Control: Yama Sakura 75, Northern Army, in Japan, December -Working exercise with US Army in Japan: Orient Shield, North Eastern Army, August-September-Working exercise with US Army in Japan: North Wind, Northern Army, January-March -Working exercise with USMC in Japan: Northern Viper, Northern Army, July-September-Working exercise with USMC in Japan: Forest Light 01, Western Army, October-December-Working exercise with USMC in Japan: Forest Light 02, Middle Army, January-March -Working exercise with US Army in the US: Raising Thunder, Eastern Army, August-September-Working exercise with US Army in the US: Arctic Aurora, Combined Ground, May-June-Working exercise with US Army in the US: at the National Training Center, Northern Army, January-March-Working exercise with US Army in the US: RIMPAC (anti-ship warfare), Western Army, June-August -Working exercise with USMC in the US: RIMPAC (Amphibious vehicles), Combined Ground, June-August-Working exercise with USMC in the Philippines: KAMANDAG, Combined Ground, September-October-Working exercise with USMC in the US: Iron Fist, Combined Ground, January-March Japan-US-Australia joint-training-Participation in Australia: AASAM, Fuji School, April-May-Working exercise with US and Australia militaries in Australia: Southern Jackaroo, Eastern Army, May-June-Working exercise with US and Australia militaries in Japan: disaster countermeasures, Middle Army, October Multi-national exercise in Mongolia called Khaan Quest, Combined Ground, June Working exercise with the British Army in Japan: Fuji School, September-October Working exercise with the Indian Army in India: Eastern Army, October-December Four working exercise activities with British Army and Indian Army during the working exercise with the US in anti-ship warfare and the training at the National Training Center in the US.http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/news/press/2018/pdf/20180406.pdf Some videos from that exercise.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgsWjbvITzE&t=0s&list=PLgt2lndbOCnbQ-SMrHWSHpQhNKbJhWnnd&index=18https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zkkskM323Mhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOZoaCOIkSshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXWDqlnjUs8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_TuLzkLbEU&t=0s&list=PLgt2lndbOCnbQ-SMrHWSHpQhNKbJhWnnd&index=7https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCTv6-3nt-E
JasonJ Posted September 23, 2018 Author Posted September 23, 2018 (edited) India has pursued a "China reset" policy. So as a result, they are turning away from pursuing the development of the Quad. But they still maintain the recently developed bilateral/trilateral defense cooperation with the other three countries (US, Japan, and Australia). India has recently been called out for being the weakest link in the revitalised Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a framework for cooperation involving three other democracies in the Indo-Pacific—Australia, Japan and the US. One of the reasons that’s been offered for India’s perceived reticence on the Quad is its ‘reset’ of relations with China after the tense military standoff between the two nations last year at the India–Bhutan–China border junction in Doklam.Given this, it’s worth asking whether the Wuhan summit between Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi, which formalised the ‘reset’ in April, was really a game-changer for India in the Indo-Pacific. The answer is ‘no’. The conciliatory change in New Delhi’s attitude to Beijing that started in February is nothing but tactical manoeuvring. India wants to maintain its strategic autonomy by hedging its bets on multiple partners.It’s important to remember that the Modi government is counting down to the 2019 general elections and foreign policy is traditionally a non-issue at the ballots. New Delhi’s offer of an olive branch to Beijing in the form of the reset is essentially an attempt to buy temporary peace to avoid another Doklam-like confrontation. That theory is further supported by India’s denial of US claims that China has continued its activity on the Doklam plateau. The Modi government has also failed to put the proceedings of Wuhan on record, as is common practice.China and India must overcome some other hurdles for any reset to be worth its name. The two nuclear-armed states share a long-running boundary dispute. Boundary transgressions by PLA troops are a routine feature, with regular skirmishes along the disputed ‘Line of Actual Control’. China’s all-weather friendship with Pakistan is another source of friction with India. New Delhi remains concerned about Beijing’s increasing encroachment on its strategic space, especially in the subcontinent and the Indian Ocean region, and is hiking foreign aid in response. China continues to make it difficult for India to join the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group and gain a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.India has also deepened bilateral and trilateral defence and economic cooperation with the Quad nations in the past few months. The announcement of Australia’s exclusion from the Malabar naval exercises on the eve of the Wuhan summit appeared to be meant to please Beijing. But New Delhi has been consistent in its position on Australia’s participation in Malabar, denying it participation or observer status for many years, in keeping with its traditional emphasis on preserving its strategic autonomy. Maintaining the status quo on Malabar, given the attempt at a reset with China, seems logical from India’s point of view, even though some may have found it disappointing.On the other hand, India’s bilateral naval drills with Australia, AUSINDEX, and its participation in Pitch Black 2018, the multi-nation air-defence exercise held in Darwin, are indications of New Delhi’s openness to deepening military ties with Canberra. India has continued its robust engagement in ‘2+2’ defence and foreign ministerial dialogues and trilateral security meetings with Japan and the US. India is reportedly close to signing a military communications agreement with the US, after years of negotiations, which would increase interoperability between the armed forces of the two countries. And New Delhi and Tokyo have agreed to conduct their first joint army exercises on counterterrorism later this year and are on the verge of signing a major logistics exchange and support agreement.India has entered into bilateral and trilateral infrastructure development partnerships with the US and Japan in the form of the Asia–Africa Growth Corridor and the trilateral working group on infrastructure. It has also been steadfast in its opposition to China’s Belt and Road Initiative since last year, citing Beijing’s violation of territorial sovereignty norms and creation of unsustainable debt traps. Even though there were rumours of New Delhi softening its stance on the BRI earlier this year, in the context of the China reset, the Indian government has since reaffirmed its objection to the initiative. However, India’s decision not to get involved in the US–Japan–Australia infrastructure trilateral may be attributed to its failure to unlink the concept of the Quad from its anti-China connotation.The first meeting of the rejuvenated Quad took place in Manila in November 2017, shortly after India emerged from the Doklam crisis. Since then, New Delhi has embarked on its China ‘reset’ to avoid another confrontation and returned to the holy grail of India’s foreign policy, maintaining strategic autonomy. India has also sought to engage with Russia, France and ASEAN, both to further its interests in the region and avoid confrontation in the run-up to an election. It’s not clear yet whether India will end up embracing or rejecting the Quad. New Delhi seems unwilling so far to sign up to an arrangement with a larger agenda than a consultative forum. India’s emphasis on multi-alignment, outlined in Modi’s speech at the Shangri-la Dialogue, means that it will shun any initiative that has a pronounced anti-China rhetoric and tenor. At the same time, New Delhi will never cosy up to China because of the unresolved structural issues.But that doesn’t mean that India has rejected the concept of the Indo-Pacific. India’s behaviour is consistent with its inclusive vision of the Indo-Pacific, in which it exercises strategic autonomy by emphasising a ‘non-bloc’ vision of security cooperation. The Quad’s future and India’s participation in it will depend on building an agenda that is compatible with New Delhi’s multipolar and non-bloc approach to the Indo-Pacific. https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/india-still-wary-of-the-quad-amid-its-own-china-reset/ ...India wants it to stay at the joint secretary level, though the US and Japan have asked for it to be elevated to a foreign secretary/foreign minister level. For the time being, India has prevailed, as was decided after the 2+2 meeting last week. Indian officials said they would like the coming rounds to focus on coastguards cooperation, piracy and humanitarian relief on the seas....https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/quad-of-india-us-japan-australia-to-meet-soon/articleshow/65768074.cms Edited September 23, 2018 by JasonJ
Dark_Falcon Posted September 25, 2018 Posted September 25, 2018 NUSHIP ( soon-to-be HMAS) Brisbane, the 2nd Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) arrived at her new homeport of Sydney on 09/10.
JasonJ Posted September 26, 2018 Author Posted September 26, 2018 (edited) A Vietnamese warship visited Japan for the first time. Its the frigate Tran Hung Dao, visiting from September 27th until September 30th at Yokosuka. JS Asuka will serve as host-ship during the visit.http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/201809/20180925-02.pdfOne more in the spoiler https://twitter.com/Alsace_class/status/1045100013586546688 Edited September 27, 2018 by JasonJ
JasonJ Posted September 27, 2018 Author Posted September 27, 2018 HMS Argyll conducts joint training with JS Kaga and JS Inazuma in maneuvers and communication on September 26th in waters west of Sumatra in the Indian Ocean. ABOARD THE KAGA, Indian Ocean (Reuters) - Japan’s biggest warship, the Kaga helicopter carrier, joined naval drills with Britain’s HMS Argyll in the Indian Ocean on Wednesday as the frigate headed toward the contested South China Sea and East Asia.Britain, Japan and close ally the United States have found common cause in countering growing Chinese influence in the region, to keep key sealanes linking Asia to Europe, the United States and elsewhere from falling under Beijing’s sway.“We have traditional ties with the British navy and we are both close U.S. allies and these drills are an opportunity for us to strengthen cooperation,” Kenji Sakaguchi, the Maritime Self Defence Force (MSDF) commander of the Kaga group’s four helicopters said on the hangar deck.The more frequent presence of the Royal Navy is a chance for the two navies to train more closely in the future, he added.The Argyll, Kaga and its destroyer escort the Inazuma practiced formations on calm seas in the Indian Ocean near commercial sea lanes plied by container vessels and oil tankers. Three helicopters from the Japanese carrier hovered above, monitoring the drill.The Argyll’s arrival comes after Britain’s amphibious assault ship Albion last month challenged Beijing’s territorial claims on its way to Vietnam from Japan by sailing close to Chinese bases in the Paracel islands in a freedom of navigation operation (FONOP).China dispatched a warship and helicopters to counter the British presence and warned London that similar action in the future could endanger talks for a possible trade deal Britain is seeking as it prepares to leave the European Union.In Beijing on Thursday, Defence Ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said China was paying close attention to Japan’s activities, and opposed countries from outside the region getting involved in the South China Sea issue.“We hope Japan does more to benefit regional peace and stability and speak and act cautiously on the South China Sea,” Ren told a monthly news briefing, when asked about the Kaga.GLOBAL HOTSPOTChina, which says its intentions are peaceful, claims most of the South China Sea, through which about $3 trillion worth of trade passes every year. Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei also claim parts of the sea, which has oil and gas deposits and rich fishing grounds.Japan, which is embroiled in separate territorial dispute with China in the neighbouring East China Sea, has yet to conduct a FONOP in the South China Sea.However, in a rare announcement this month, Japan’s defence ministry said one of its submarines had carried out a naval exercise in the disputed waterway with two Japanese destroyers and the Kaga, which is on a two-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific. After crossing the South China Sea, the Argyll will operate in waters around Japan, including a stint monitoring sanctions imposed on North Korea by the United Nations to force it to abandon nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, said a British government source, who asked not to be identified because he is not authorised to talk to the media.The Argyll is the third Royal Navy ship in Asia’s waters this year, following the tour of the Albion and another frigate.“Normally we hold discussion with other countries before joint drills, but with the British there is no need to, so they are easy to work with,” said Tatsuhiko Mizuno, an operation planning officer for the Kaga group.https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-japan-defence-britain/japanese-carrier-drills-with-british-warship-heading-to-contested-south-china-sea-idUKKCN1M7005 http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/201809/20180927-02.pdf
JasonJ Posted September 28, 2018 Author Posted September 28, 2018 (edited) One B-52 from Guam conducted joint-training with twelve F-15Js (4 from Chitose, 4 from Komatsu, and 4 from Naha) and four F-2s (from Chikujo) in the East China Sea and in Japanese airspace over water on September 27th.A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber and two Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) F-15 fighters execute a routine bilateral training mission over the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan, Sept. 26, 2018. This mission was flown in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence operations, which are key to improving combined interoperability, tactical skills and relationships. These missions are consistent with international law and the United States’ long-standing and well-known freedom of navigation policies. (Courtesy photo)A B-52H Stratofortress bomber aircraft integrated with the Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) while conducting a routine training mission in the East China Sea and Sea of Japan Sep. 26, 2018 (HST). The bomber departed Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and conducted training in the vicinity of the East China Sea. The Stratofortress then completed multiple integrations with 12 Koku Jieitai F-15s and 4 F-2s, routing over the Sea of Japan before returning to Guam. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence (CBP) operations have been ongoing since March 2004; the recent missions are consistent with international law and United States' long-standing and well-known freedom of navigation policies. https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1647229/b-52-conducts-mission-with-koku-jieitai-showcases-interoperability/ http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/news/houdou/H30/300928.pdf Edited September 28, 2018 by JasonJ
JasonJ Posted October 1, 2018 Author Posted October 1, 2018 (edited) JS Akebono visits Manila South Harbor on September 27th for a three day stay. It marks the 6th time this year the JMSDF visits the Philippines. MANILA -- JS Akebono (DD-108), a Murasame-class destroyer of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), arrived at Pier 15 of Manila South Harbor Thursday for a three-day port visit.Around 200 officers and enlisted personnel are aboard JS Akebono which also carries two SH-60K patrol helicopters.PN spokesperson, Commander Jonathan Zata, said the Japanese contingent led by JMSDF Escort Division 5 head Capt. Josuke Nakamura was welcomed by Offshore Combat Force deputy commander Capt. Francisco Laput.Nakamura is also set to pay a courtesy call on PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad.Also, confidence building engagements between PN and JMSDF personnel such as shipboard tour and goodwill games of basketball, volleyball and soccer are scheduled.Prior to its arrival, JS Akebono had just completed its five-month tour as part of the Combined Maritime Task Force 151's anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.The task force is mandated to deter and disrupt piracy and armed robbery in the maritime environment, particularly in the Somali Basin and Southern Red Sea.Zata noted that JS Akebono is the same ship that responded to a distress call from a Singaporean-flagged tanker where one Filipino crewman fell and injured his head while transiting the Gulf of Aden.The destroyer's medical team provided first-aid and airlifted the injured Filipino seafarer to Djibouti for further medical treatment. JS Akebono's arrival marks the sixth visit of the JMSDF to the Philippines.The most recent was the arrival of the three-ship Escort Flotilla Four early this September at Alava Wharf, SBMA, Olongapo City, Zambales."This visit translates to another gesture of fostering goodwill that contributes to the furtherance of friendship between the PN and the JSMDF established through the years. It further promotes and sustains peace and stability in the region," he added. (PNA) http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1049279 About 230 personnel from the JGSDF (including from the 2nd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment of the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade) and JS Osumi and about 90 personnel from 4th Marine Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division to conduct joint-training in beach landing at Tanegashima, Kagoshima prefecture and nearby waters from October 5th to October 19th.http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/201810/20181001.pdf Edited October 1, 2018 by JasonJ
BansheeOne Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 Ah, the old games are still being played. Chinese warship nearly hits U.S. destroyer in South China Sea near disputed islands By Danielle PaquetteOctober 2 at 3:56 AM BEIJING — China accused the United States of flouting its sovereignty Tuesday after an American warship sailed near islands claimed by Beijing in the disputed South China Sea, further rattling relations between the countries after weeks of escalating military tensions. A Chinese destroyer came within yards of the U.S. Navy ship Sunday, compelling it to switch direction in what American officials called an “unsafe and unprofessional” clash. China’s Defense Ministry countered that the USS Decatur should never have traveled through those waters in its “freedom of navigation” mission, provoking Beijing to order a Luyang-class warship to force it away from the Spratly Islands. “The Chinese vessel took quick action and made checks against the U.S. vessel in accordance with the law, and warned it to leave the waters,” spokesman Wu Qian said in a statement. The presence of American ships near the Chinese-claimed archipelago off the coast of the Philippines, Malaysia and southern Vietnam is “seriously threatening China’s sovereignty and security” and “seriously undermining the relations between the two countries and the two militaries,” Wu added. A statement Monday from the U.S. Pacific Fleet blasted the Chinese response as “aggressive.” “The PRC destroyer approached within 45 yards of Decatur’s bow, after which Decatur maneuvered to prevent a collision,” spokesman Charlie Brown said. [...] Decatur ventured Sunday morning by reefs and rocks that Beijing has tried to turn into artificial islands to expand its grip on the South China Sea, but U.S. officials have maintained that such land doesn’t count as real territory, said Lawrence Brennan, a law professor at Fordham University in New York. American and Chinese warships have had close encounters in the past, he added, but Sunday’s encounter “appears to have been closer than any recent event.” The maritime showdown came about a week after Chinese officials canceled military talks with the United States that were supposed to be held in Beijing in late September. The government scrapped the defense-related conversations in response to American sanctions imposed last month on Chinese military personnel for purchasing Russian combat aircraft and missile supplies. Then Beijing called off a security meeting with Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis on Monday that had been scheduled for October, the New York Times reported. The White House and State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. [...] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/chinese-warship-nearly-hits-us-destroyer-in-south-china-sea/2018/10/02/877cc788-c5fb-11e8-9158-09630a6d8725_story.html?utm_term=.c5c67aa657e6
JasonJ Posted October 2, 2018 Author Posted October 2, 2018 Since we lack PRC posters, here's how some view it.https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/plan-rams-usn-destroyer-and-usn-flees.579786/
JasonJ Posted October 2, 2018 Author Posted October 2, 2018 A Vietnamese warship visited Japan for the first time. Its the frigate Tran Hung Dao, visiting from September 27th until September 30th at Yokosuka. JS Asuka will serve as host-ship during the visit.http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/201809/20180925-02.pdf One more in the spoiler https://twitter.com/Alsace_class/status/1045100013586546688 The Tran Hung Dao is heading to another Japanese port, Sakai port, for a stay from October 3rd to October 6th. JS Abukuma will serve as host ship at Sakai Port.http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/201810/20181002-01.pdf
JasonJ Posted October 7, 2018 Author Posted October 7, 2018 A Vietnamese Coast Guard ship (2500 ton class) visits India for the first time. Last week, INS Rana visited Vietnam for a 3 day stay. A Vietnam Coast Guard ship began its maiden visit to India Tuesday, aiming to strengthen cooperation in addressing maritime security threats.The CBS 8001 reached the coast of Chennai City after traveling 3,575 nautical miles from Hanoi, the New Indian Express reported.Major-General Nguyen Van Son, Commandant of Vietnam Coast Guard, and Inspector-General Paramesh Sivamani, Commander of India’s Coast Guard Eastern Region, welcomed the ship and its crew.The four-day maiden visit aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, particularly in tackling maritime security threats, including human trafficking, piracy and drugs and firearms smuggling, the report said.The two countries’ Coast Guards will take part in a joint exercise off Chennai Thursday to promote inter-operability between the two forces.Five ships, one helicopter and one Dornier aircraft from the Indian Coast Guard will participate in the exercise, which will include the visiting Vietnamese Coast Guard ship and the research vessel Sagar Manjusha from India’s National Institute of Ocean Technology.Previously on Monday, a six-member delegation from Vietnam, headed by Son, had arrived in Chennai to witness the upcoming joint exercise.Last Thursday, Destroyer INS Rana of the Indian navy docked at Saigon Port for a three-day visit. The vessel carried out communications and coordination exercises at sea with Vietnamese naval vessels during its stay.This is the second time this year that the Indian navy has sent a vessel to Vietnam after a fleet of three Indian ships with 900 officers and sailors arrived at Tien Sa Port, Da Nang, in central Vietnam in May.Long-standing allies Vietnam and India established diplomatic relations in 1972.https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnam-coast-guard-ship-makes-first-visit-to-india-3818611.html
JasonJ Posted October 7, 2018 Author Posted October 7, 2018 (edited) Kamandag 2 - Philippines USA Japan, October 1st to October 10th. Subic Bay --The 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Armed Forces of the Philippines opened exercise KAMANDAG 2 with a ceremony at the Subic Bay International Airport on Monday. KAMANDAG 2 will take place October 1 to 10, 2018, at multiple locations on the island of Luzon.KAMANDAG 2 is an exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States which also features participation from Japan. The Philippine-led exercise will include military-to-military exchanges between the AFP and U.S. forces with a focus on counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities.KAMANDAG 2 will enhance cooperation and interoperability between Philippine and U.S. forces as we continue both countries’ commitments to support each other as friends, partners, and allies. Service members will practice humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, an amphibious landing, live fire training, close air support, jungle survival training, urban operations training, and combat lifesaving during KAMANDAG 2. “In its first iteration last year, KAMANDAG gave rise to many inaugural advancements between our militaries,” said Brig. Gen. Chris A. McPhillips, 3d MEB Commanding General. “I’m looking forward to all that we’re going to achieve together this year.”The U.S. and Philippines will partner for a variety of community relations events during KAMANDAG 2. Engineering and construction projects are ongoing at a school and two daycare centers in Ternate, Cavite. While in Ternate, U.S. and Philippine military medical teams will teach hundreds of Ternate residents about lifesaving skills, disease prevention, and dental hygiene. Participants in exercises like KAMANDAG 2 develop lifelong friendships and connections that bring the U.S. and Philippines closer together as friends, partners, and allies.KAMANDAG is an acronym for the Filipino phrase “Kaagapay Ng Mga Mandirigma Ng Dagat,” which translates to “Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea,” highlighting the partnership between the Philippine and United States militaries. KAMANDAG 2 will increase overall U.S. and Philippine readiness, improve combined responsiveness to crises in the Indo-Pacific region, and strengthen both countries’ decades-long partnership. https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/1649568/us-marines-and-armed-forces-of-the-philippines-launch-exercise-kamandag-2/ 181005-N-XK398-1228 PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 05, 2018) Boatswain’s Mate 3rd class Teshaun Troyquash signals a Philippine Navy AW109 Helicopter as it departs the flight deck of to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) as part of a training exercise for KAMANDAG 2. KAMANDAG 2 is a military training exercise led by Philippines between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military, along with participants from the Japan Self-Defense Force featuring military-to-military exchanges through various training events, capabilities development training, and humanitarian and civic assistance projects. KAMANDAG is an acronym for the Filipino phrase “Kaagapay Ng Mga Mandirigma Ng Dagat,” which translates to “Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea,” highlighting the partnership between the Philippine and United States Militaries. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Mortensen)https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4798846/ashland-supports-philippine-helicopter-flight-operations-during-kamandag-2 U.S. Marines and Philippine Marines participate in an amphibious landing during KAMANDAG 2 at Naval Education Training Command, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2018. KAMANDAG 2 is an exercise used to promote cohesion between nations in counter-terrorism, humanitarian operations, and disaster relief. This exercise is executed using Assault Amphibious Vehicles. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kevan Dunlop)https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4801845/amphibious-landing Amphibious vehicles of the Self Defense Force getting on the beach on a coast that faces the South China Sea during joint-training at San Antonio, Zambales Province which is a located north of the capital of Manila. (Photo taken on October 6th, 2018)http://www.afpbb.com/articles/-/3192426?pid=20593676 Edited October 7, 2018 by JasonJ
JasonJ Posted October 7, 2018 Author Posted October 7, 2018 (edited) Two Japanese soldiers and a Filipino driver of a service contract vehicle had a car accident by colliding with a large vehicle on October 2nd. One of the Japanese was confirmed dead at the hospital on October 6th local time, a 38 year old 1st class Sergeant of the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade. http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/news/press/2018/pdf/20181007.pdf Edited October 7, 2018 by JasonJ
Nobu Posted October 7, 2018 Posted October 7, 2018 The Japanese Navy rejected a Korean demand Friday that made participation in next week's Korean naval review conditional on Japanese warships lowering the Rising Sun flag. About as likely as Tokyo renaming the Sea of Japan the East Sea of Korea at this point.
JasonJ Posted October 10, 2018 Author Posted October 10, 2018 USS Ronald Reagan, other USN ships, and JS Izumo conducted joint training from October 8th to October 10th in the waters east of Okinawa to the East China Sea and up to the waters and airspace west of Kyushu. On October 10th, four F-15Js of the 5th Air Wing from Nyutabaru Air Base joined the joint-training. http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/201810/20181010.pdf
Nobu Posted October 10, 2018 Posted October 10, 2018 (edited) USS Ronald Reagan will be leaving Japanese waters today to participate in this week's Jeju International Fleet Review amid Korea's demand that Japanese vessels slated for participation lower the Rising Sun Flag before entering Korean waters. When a friend is dis-invited from a gathering, attending it as if nothing happened can be interpreted as tacit agreement with the reasons for the friend's dis-invitation. Edited October 10, 2018 by Nobu
JasonJ Posted October 14, 2018 Author Posted October 14, 2018 American and Japanese marines march together (from 2:19:20)
JasonJ Posted October 15, 2018 Author Posted October 15, 2018 (edited) Keen Sword 19 - All three SDF branches and the US Military. Is to take place from October 29th through to November 8th at SDF and US facilities in Japan, etc. and the sea and airspace around Japan including Tsushima, Guam, and the Mariana islands. Main areas for joint-training is sea surface combat, BMD, air defence, and amphibious operations. From the SDF: About 47,000 personnel, about 20 warships, and about 170 aircraft. From the US military: about 9,500 personnel (that's all that is specified but I'd imagine a carrier group, etc.) Canada is also participating in part of the exercise with two warships. Observers include Canada, Australia, France, the UK, and ROK.http://www.mod.go.jp/js/Press/press2018/press_pdf/p20181012_05.pdf Edited October 15, 2018 by JasonJ
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