The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force guided-missile destroyer JS Atago (DDG 177) returns to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after participating in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 exercises. US Navy photo.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) demonstrated Japan’s sea-based ballistic missile defense capability, when destroyer JS Atago (DDG-177) intercepted a missile target off the coast of Hawaii this week. Read More
A bilateral flag waves during the 42nd Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2018. US Marine Corps Photo
Japan doesn’t have an alternative to its American alliance when confronting North Korea’s missile and nuclear weapons threat or Beijing’s territorial aggression, a panel of regional experts agreed on Friday. Read More
Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Complex in Devesulu, Romania. MDA Photo
The Japanese government has selected Lockheed Martin to outfit its defense forces with Aegis Ashore equipment worth an estimated $2.34 billion, according to media reports.
Divers jump out of an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter, assigned to the “Vanguard” of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14, during a pouncer operation in support of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2018. U.S. Navy photo
A pair of Pacific mine countermeasures exercises are increasing the U.S. Navy’s ability to incorporate new laser technology and international naval units into mine hunting avoidance activities.
Ships from the Indian navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the U.S. Navy sail in formation in the Bay of Bengal during exercise Malabar 2017. US Navy photo.
The U.S. Navy is hosting naval forces from India and Japan in Guam for the annual Malabar Exercise, set to start Thursday in the Philippine Sea. Read More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers establish security after exiting an Assault Amphibian Vehicle, during Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. on Feb. 25, 2017. US Marine Corps Photo
Long-range strike capabilities, building up amphibious forces, improved missile defense and deploying Aegis Ashore are steps Tokyo can take in deterring an aggressive North Korea at the same time, two of Japan’s leading security experts said Wednesday. Read More
USS George Washington (CVN-73) with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kongo-class guided-missile destroyer JS Kirishima (DDG-174) on Nov. 18, 2014. US Navy Photo
The cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved the purchase of two Aegis Ashore missile defense systems this week to counter the threat of ballistic missiles from North Korea, though Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters that many specific details are still yet to be determined. Read More
Undated photo of Lt. Steven D. Hopkins, USN. He was identified as the sailor who went missing from USS Stethem (DDG-63) on Aug. 1, 2017. US Navy Photo
The sailor who went missing from guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG-63) earlier this week in the South China Sea has been identified as Lt. Steven D. Hopkins, according to a statement from U.S. 7th Fleet. Read More
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Stethem (DDG 63), left, and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) participate in a photo exercise during Exercise Foal Eagle on March 22, 2017. US Navy photo.
The Navy suspended its search for a missile sailor assigned to guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG-63) at 4 p.m. Japan Standard Time (3 a.m. EST) on Aug. 4, after more than three days of continuous search with U.S., Japanese and Chinese ships and aircraft. Read More
Military representatives from NATO, the European Union and the U.K. observe flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) on July 25, 2017. US Navy photo.
U.S. naval forces will embark on a pair of naval exercises with regional Pacific and North Atlantic partners this week, practicing anti-submarine and air combat operations. Read More
