USS America holds first training exercise with Japanese forces since arriving in Japan

Still a relative newcomer to its homeport in Japan, the amphibious assault ship USS America joined up in the East China Sea with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force for training exercises Monday, according to the U.S. Navy.

The 844-foot America, home-ported at Sasebo Naval Base, and the amphibious transport dock ship JS Kunisaki, home-ported at Kure Naval Base in Hiroshima, exchanged personnel, maneuvered together and held communication drills and flight demonstrations, according to a Navy news release. The daylong exercise was the first for the America, the flagship of an expeditionary strike group, since it arrived Dec. 6 at Sasebo.

“We are extremely pleased with this first opportunity for USS America to operate side-by-side with our JMSDF allies,” Rear Adm. Fred Kacher, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 7, said in a Navy statement. “This exercise allows us to build on our already strong relationship and helps to underscore our commitment to this incredibly important partnership and region.”

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