Trilateral fleet crossing Philippine Sea

Australia, Japan and the US are currently conducting a trilateral passage in the Philippine Sea on the way to participate in Exercise Rim of the Pacific in Hawaii.

CAPTION: HMA Ships Canberra, Hobart, Stuart, Arunta and Sirius taking part in a trilateral passage in the Philippine Sea with US Navy ships Ronald Reagan, Antietam and Mustin and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s JS Teruzuki.

With HMA Ships Canberra, Hobart, Stuart, Arunta and Sirius taking part, the activity includes replenishment at sea, aviation operations, maritime manoeuvres and communications drills.

Commander of the Australian Joint Task Group Commodore Michael Harris said the opportunity to work alongside Japan and the US was invaluable.

“Maintaining security and safety at sea requires navies to be able to cooperate seamlessly,” Commodore Harris said.

“The combined activities between our navies demonstrates a high degree of interoperability and capability between Australia, Japan and the US.”

Commander of Japan’s Escort Division 4 Captain Sakano Yusuke said strengthening cooperation with the US Navy and Royal Australian Navy is vitally important for Japan and contributes to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

“The experience in this exercise will give us tactical and operational advantages and make our friendships stronger, in addition to our regular joint exercises with both like-minded navies,” Captain Sakano said.

Commanding Officer USS Antietam Captain Russ Caldwell said the US Navy routinely exercised with regional partners, showing their shared commitment to regional stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“The relationships we’ve developed enable us to meet at sea and immediately operate at an advanced level,” Captain Caldwell said.

“This highlights the enduring nature of our alliances with Japan and Australia.

“The United States is fortunate to routinely operate alongside its allies across the Indo-Pacific and coordinated operations like these reinforce our mutual commitment to international maritime norms and promoting regional stability.”

The trilateral passage is planned to conclude on 23 July.

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