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U.S. and Japanese Forces Practice Interoperability

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS031204-12

Release Date: 12/4/2003 1:11:00 PM

From USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs

USS KITTY HAWK, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, completed ANNUALEX [annual exercise] with her host country of Japan.

Conducted this year through the middle weeks of November, ANNUALEX is designed to improve United States and Japan naval force capabilities for coordinated and bilateral operations in the defense of Japan. This bilateral exercise focused on military-to-military relationships, improving command and control, and air, undersea and surface warfare.

"The U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force have a unique relationship, in that we have one of the most robust bilateral exercise programs between any two countries," said Capt. Sam Perez, Destroyer Squadron 15 commodore. "Each year, our two naval forces are able to enhance our interoperability while practicing critical professional skills."

Approximately 7,500 U.S. naval personnel participated in the exercise. Kitty Hawk and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, as well as the embarked staffs of Carrier Group 5 and Destroyer Squadron 15, were the center of the U.S. element. Other U.S. Navy units from Yokosuka, Japan, participating in the exercise included USS Cowpens (CG 63), USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS O'Brien (DD 975), USS Cushing (DD 985) and USS Vandegrift (FFG 48).