US Navy conducts underway replenishment exercise with France and Japan
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Towada-class replenishment vessel JS Hamana (AOE-424) and the French Floréal-class light frigate FNS Prairial joined USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) to perform a tri-lateral replenishment-at-sea (RAS) on Feb. 19.
The RAS enabled French, Japanese and U.S. sailors to complete a continued development that highlighted the capabilities of their respective navies.
Curtis Wilbur and Prairial arrived alongside Hamana during the RAS to refuel and collect supplies.
“The ship-handling skills of the U.S. Navy and the French Navy were extremely high, which encouraged me as we are engaged in the same mission with same mind at sea. Even during COVID-19, making the most of the naval unique flexibility and mobility with taking all countermeasures, we conducted the trilateral exercise and were able to deepen the cooperation with the U.S. Navy and the French Navy," said Cmdr. IKEDA Masato, commanding officer of Hamana.
In favor of a free and open Indo-Pacific, Curtis Wilbur is performing operations while assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the largest forward-deployed DESRON of the Navy and the main surface force of the U.S. 7th Fleet.
Maritime Business World
YORUM KAT