030228-N-3612M-008 White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan (Feb. 28, 2003) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), and the Japanese Maritime Defense Force (JMSDF) ships Shimakaze (DDG 172), Myoukou (DDG 175), Hamagiri (DD 155) and Natusio (SS 584) pier-side Okinawa, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class James G. McCarter. (RELEASED)
030228-N-3612M-003 White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan (Feb. 28, 2003) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), and the Japanese Maritime Defense Force (JMSDF) ships Shimakaze (DDG 172), Myoukou (DDG 175), Hamagiri (DD 155) and Natusio (SS 584) are pier-side Okinawa, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class James G. McCarter. (RELEASED)
021210-N-5781F-003 At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Dec. 10, 2002 -- Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) ship, JDS Chokai (DDF 176), steams along side Kitty Hawk for a replenishment at sea (RAS). Kitty Hawk is providing a forward presence in the Asia/Pacific region, conducting training and exercises with regional allies. Kitty Hawk is the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Bo Flannigan. (RELEASED)
021210-N-5781F-004 At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Dec. 10, 2002 -- Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) ship, JDS Chokai (DDF 176), comes along side Kitty Hawk to receive fuel during a replenishment at sea (RAS). Kitty Hawk had the opportunity to work with the JMSDF during several exercises at sea. Kitty Hawk is the U.S. Navy ‘s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Bo Flannigan. (RELEASED)
021210-N-1810F-001 At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Dec. 10, 2002 -- Sailors aboard the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) ship Chokai (DDF 176) come along side the Kitty Hawk to receive fuel during a replenishment at sea (RAS). Kitty Hawk had the opportunity to work with the JMSDF during exercises conducted earlier in the deployment. Kitty Hawk is the U. S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
021116-N-3236B-014 At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Nov. 16, 2002 -- PH3 Lindsay Minturn, of Sequim, Wash., a photographer stationed aboard Kitty Hawk, photographs American and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships from the flight deck of the ship. The ships and sailors are participating in Exercise Keen Sword 2003 off the coast of Southern Japan. Keen Sword 2003 is the seventh in a series of regularly scheduled joint/bilateral field training exercise since 1986 involving the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and United States military. The purpose of Keen Sword is to train and evaluate wartime functions and bilateral cooperation procedures against the backdrop of a regional contingency scenario that has direct and immediate consequences to the U.S. and Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Ted Banks. (RELEASED)
021116-N-1810F-027 At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Nov. 16, 2002 -- Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ship Akebono (JDS 109) cruises along side Kitty Hawk during a Photo Exercise. Japanese ships integrated into Kitty Hawk’s battle group during Exercise Keen Sword 2003. Keen Sword 2003 is the seventh in a series of regularly scheduled joint/bilateral field training exercise since 1986 involving the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and United States military. The purpose of Keen Sword is to train and evaluate wartime functions and bilateral cooperation procedures against the backdrop of a regional contingency scenario that has direct and immediate consequences to the U.S. and Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
021116-N-1810F-009 At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Nov. 16, 2002 -- Two Japanese ships steam alongside Kitty Hawk during a Photo Exercise. Japanese ships integrated into Kitty Hawk’s battle group during Exercise Keen Sword 2003. Keen Sword 2003 is the seventh in a series of regularly scheduled joint/bilateral field training exercise since 1986 involving the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and United States military. The purpose of Keen Sword is to train and evaluate wartime functions and bilateral cooperation procedures against the backdrop of a regional contingency scenario that has direct and immediate consequences to the U.S. and Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographerís Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
021115-N-0271M-005 At sea with USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Nov. 15, 2002 -- The Kitty Hawk Battle Group align themselves to participate in a photo exercise. The photo exercise includes ships from the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) which are conducting exercises in support of Operation Keen Sword 2003. Kitty Hawk is the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Lee McCaskill. (RELEASED)
020426-N-0000X-006 Off the Coast of Kyushu Island, Japan (Apr. 26, 2002) -- The fast attack submarine, USS La Jolla (SSN 701), with the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic attached, steams in formation with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) command and control ship, JDS Bungo (MST 464) (middle), and the Royal Australian submarine, HMAS Farncomb (74) (top), during exercise Pacific Reach 2002. Pacific Reach is an exercise hosted by the JMSDF designed to improve submarine rescue capabilities. Members of the United States, Japan, Australian, Republic of Korea and Republic of Singapore navies are participating in the exercise with observers from Indonesia, United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, France, China and India. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. (RELEASED)
020426-N-0000X-003 Off the Coast of Kyushu Island, Japan (Apr. 26, 2002) -- The fast attack submarine, USS La Jolla (SSN 701), with the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic attached, and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) exercise command and control ship, JDS Bungo (MST 464), steams to its operating area during Exercise Pacific Reach 2002. Pacific Reach is an exercise hosted by the JMSDF designed to improve submarine rescue capabilities. Members of the United States, Japan, Australian, Republic of Korea and Republic of Singapore navies are participating in the exercise with observers from Indonesia, United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, France, China and India. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. (RELEASED)
020428-N-8784-023 At sea aboard JDS Chihaya (ASR 403) Apr. 28, 2002 -- The 40 ton Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) Angler Fish 2, is lowered through the middle of the JMSDF submarine rescue ship, JDS Chihaya. The DSRV will deploy 50 meters below and mate with a simulated disabled Republic of Korea Navy submarine on the ocean floor, during events supporting exercise Pacific Reach 2002. Pacific Reach is an exercise hosted by the JMSDF designed to improve submarine rescue capabilities. Members of the United States, Japan, Australian, Republic of Korea, and Republic of Singapore navies are participating in the exercise with observers from Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, France, China, and India. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. John Perkins. (RELEASED)
020203-N-9802B-002 At sea aboard USS Essex (LHD 2) Feb. 3, 2002 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Essex and Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) ship JDS Sagami (AOE 421) participate in a Replenishment At Sea (RAS). This is the first time a RAS has been conducted between Essex and a JMSDF ship. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Apprentice Stephanie M. Bergman. (RELEASED)
