SWATT is the premier U.S. Naval Floor Drive superior tactical coaching train. It’s designed and developed to extend fight functionality and interoperability between floor items by offering multi-ship, multi-platform, multi-warfare space coaching at sea. Ahead Deployed Naval Forces-Japan (FDNF-J) SWATT 2023 was the primary multi-international iteration of the train with participation from the Japan Maritime Self-Protection Drive (JMSDF).
“We’re going to battle as a multi-national pressure, so it is solely proper that we prepare as a multi-national pressure”, mentioned Capt. Justin Harts, Deputy Commodore of CTF 71. “Workout routines like FDNF-J SWATT 2023 are methods the US builds deeper relationships and understanding with Allies and companions whereas concurrently demonstrating a shared dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific area.”
The JMSDF ship that participated was destroyer JS Ashigara (DDG 178). Ashigara carried out a number of advanced coaching occasions, together with anti-submarine warfare, floor warfare and air protection workouts alongside U.S. Navy vessels.
“Ashigara introduced unimaginable functionality and vitality to the train,” mentioned Capt. Edward Angelinas, Commanding Officer of the Cruiser USS Chancellorsville and general commander for FDNF-J SWATT 2023. “Since we’re routinely crusing with Allies and companions within the Western Pacific, her presence made for a way more lifelike and strong occasion”.
Coaching situations included: built-in air and missile protection (IAMD), anti-submarine warfare / floor warfare (ASW/SUW), info warfare (IW), and sophisticated live-fire occasions that included missile firings and gunnery workouts designed to arrange ahead deployed floor forces for operations towards threats within the Western Pacific.
“We improved our tactical capabilities and interoperability with the U.S. Navy by way of this train,” mentioned Capt. Kiichiro Sakai, commanding officer of JS Ashigara. “On this manner, the JMSDF and the U.S. Navy carefully work collectively frequently to keep up and strengthen our bilateral response capabilities to numerous contingencies.”
Units concerned within the train have been: USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), USS Antietam (CG 54), USS Shiloh (CG 67), USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11), Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 51 (HSM 51), the JS Ashigara (DDG 178), and an embarked Sea Fight Commander factor from Destroyer Squadron 15 (DESRON 15).
CTF 71/DESRON 15 is accountable for the readiness, tactical and administrative duties for eight U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers that are: USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Benfold (DDG 65), USS Milius (DDG 69), USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Howard (DDG 83), USS Dewey (DDG 105), USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), and USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115).
U.S. seventh Fleet workouts operational management of its items by way of designated Process Forces or Process Teams. These teams are organized alongside area and practical strains. CTF 71/DESRON 15 is the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. seventh Fleet’s precept Floor Drive. CTF 70 is theater strike warfare commander and theater air and missile protection commander.
seventh Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific area.
