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Kitty Hawk Commences ANNUALEX '05

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060322-04
Release Date: 11/9/2005 7:00:00 AM

By Photographer’s Mate Airman Adam York, USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs

USS KITTY HAWK, At Sea (NNS) -- The USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Carrier Strike Group began the main event of its fall underway period Nov. 9, when it joined with other components of the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in support of Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 2005.

“Because of this exercise, the capabilities of both the U.S. Navy and the JMSDF will be greatly enhanced,” said Capt. Ed McNamee, Kitty Hawk’s commanding officer.

According to Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Thomas McCorkle, one of Kitty Hawk’s air intercept controllers, ANNUALEX provides an opportunity to further advance the military partnership between the United States and Japan.

“The purpose of ANNUALEX is to prepare U.S. and Japanese forces to work together and for us to build our relationship,” he said. “It will help us learn to operate together in all warfare areas.”

During ANNUALEX, which runs until Nov. 18, a total of 61 naval vessels will see action, including two U.S. submarines, 10 U.S. Navy ships and 49 JMSDF ships. To help kick off the process, a group of Japanese Sailors embarked on Kitty Hawk Nov. 7 to train with Kitty Hawk’s crew in order to prepare for the exercise.

“Japanese officers and enlisted members are fully integrated and live with us aboard our ship,” said McCorkle. “They have the same jobs as us, so are able to observe and ask questions about how we work.”

One of the focus areas for ANNUALEX is anti-submarine warfare, with aircraft operating from air stations in Japan and a small number of U.S. personnel performing liaison functions at various JMSDF headquarters. A small contingent of U.S. Navy Reservists will also fill liaison billets to facilitate smooth interoperability of U.S. and JMSDF forces.

Throughout ANNUALEX, the crew aboard Kitty Hawk can expect a lot of flight operations to take place, according to McCorkle. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 will perform numerous air warfare exercises, while DESRON 15 ships will be working together with Kitty Hawk and the Japanese ships in many maneuvering practices. ANNUALEX is also a chance for the two navies to enhance military-to-military relationships and is designed to improve both naval forces’ capability for coordinated and bilateral operations in the defense of Japan. It is one of the largest bilateral exercises held each year.

“This exercise is important because we need to know that our Japanese allies are familiar with how the U.S. performs tactical operations at sea,” said Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Marlon Patterson, another of Kitty Hawk’s air intercept controllers. “We’ve spent a lot of time working with the JMSDF already, so it should be a great success.”

The Kitty Hawk Strike Group is the largest carrier strike group in the Navy and is composed of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, the guided-missile cruisers USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and USS Cowpens (CG 63), and Destroyer Squadron 15.