EP-3 and OP-3C from Air Reconnaissance Squadron 81, Fleet Air Wing 31, conducted a bilateral exercise with U.S. Navy EP-3E.

From 29 August to 1 September, EP-3 and OP-3C from Air Reconnaissance Squadron 81, Fleet Air Wing 31, conducted a bilateral exercise with U.S. Navy EP-3E in Iwakuni Air Base and the East China Sea.
Commander in Chief of Fleet Air Wing, JMSDF, Vice Admiral MATSUMOTO Tamotsu inspected the exercise and encouraged the crew members.
The Commanding Officer of Air Reconnaissance Squadron 81, Captain SUGAHARA Katsunori said “We all are really honored to conduct this exercise with the U.S. Navy EP-3E having the same reconnaissance mission with us. Through the exercise, mutual briefing, and opinion exchange, we could promote mutual understanding with the U.S. Navy. Air Reconnaissance Squadron 81 contributes to strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance.”
The Self-Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region and the international community in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies, not only for the defense of Japan, but also for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and a security environment that does not tolerate any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force.

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