• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Nimitz, CSG-11 Participate in Exercise with JMSDF

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050613-17
Release Date: 6/13/2005 11:54:00 AM

By Journalist 3rd Class Chris L. Edilson, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- Carrier Strike Group 11 ships USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Princeton (CG 59), USS Higgins (DDG 76) and USS Chafee (DDG 90) worked with ships of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force during a recent passing exercise (PASSEX) May 25.

The PASSEX was the latest event during the strike group’s deployment, which began May 7.

According to Lt. Cmdr. Alex Davila, a Destroyer Squadron 23 staff tactical watch officer in Nimitz’ “Zulu Module,” the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force ships JDS Akebono (DD 108), JDS Makinami (DD 112) and JDS Myoko (DDG 175) steamed in formation with the carrier strike group ships for several hours.

“The main purpose of the PASSEX was to exercise basic seamanship and conduct coordinated operations between the Nimitz Strike Group and Japanese ships,” said Davila, a native of Hoboken, N.J.

Davila said the allied ships participated in a photo exercise, an over-the-horizon targeting exercise and an air defense exercise.

“The most important accomplishment of this PASSEX was the demonstration of interoperability and continued exposure to a carrier strike group’s unique capabilities,” he added.

During PASSEX, six members from the Nimitz Strike Group embarked the Japanese ships, while the Japanese sent six officers to Nimitz in a mini-exchange program. The resulting close-up view of how each navy conducted operations was a valuable part of the exercise.

“They are a very professional crew aboard JDS Myoko. The pride they take in their ships is obvious, due to how clean and well taken care of it was. We were able to take a tour of the bridge and watch their Combat Information Team in action. The flagship even assumed duties as alternate warfare commander for an air defense exercise. We were also treated to a traditional Japanese lunch with the crew. I learned a lot from the trip and was proud to represent the U.S. Navy in this exchange,” said Lt. Robert Hauck, Carrier Strike Group 11’s tactical flag command center officer.

Nimitz is the flagship for Commander, Carrier Strike Group 11. The aircraft carrier and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 11, are currently operating in the Western Pacific in support of the global war on terrorism.