NEWS
JS AKEBONO participated in U.S.-Philippines-host multilateral exercise SAMA SAMA 2023.
From October 2 to 13, the 46th Deployment Surface Force Counter Piracy Enforcement (DSPE) unit, JS AKEBONO participated in U.S.-Philippines-host multilateral exercise SAMA SAMA 2023. The exercise included shore and sea phases. In the shore phase, the unit attended expert meetings concerning Maritime Domain Awareness, international law, and medicine. In the sea phase, search and rescue and offshore replenishment exercises were conducted and the unit improved its tactical capability and strengthened cooperation and interoperability with other participating navies. The exercise was attended by the U.S. Navy’s guided missile destroyer USS DEWEY, underway replenishment ship USNS WALLY SCHIRRA, the Philippine Navy’s frigate BRP ANTONIO LUNA, C-90 (the former TC-90, transferred free of charge by the JMSDF), the Royal Canadian Navy’s frigate HMCS VANCOUVER, and the Royal Navy’s offshore patrol vessel HMS SPEY.
Commander, Fleet Escort Force, Vice Admiral FUKUDA Tatsuya, who was visiting the Philippines for the exercise, had a fleet commanders’ meeting with Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Admiral Karl Thomas and Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy, Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr.
“Unilateral changes of the status quo or attempts to do so by force are serious challenges against rules-based international order. In order to create a security environment that does not tolerate such actions, Self-Defense Fleet/Fleet Escort Force will further strengthen trilateral cooperation and show its presence at sea through trilateral exercises. JS AKEBONO is going to conduct counter-piracy activities in the Gulf of Aden under the command of CTF151 led by Captain Mateo Carido of the Philippine Navy. We will continue to ensure the regional peace and stability with allied and like-minded navies for the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” said Vice Admiral FUKUDA.
The Self-Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region and the international community, not only for the defense of Japan but also for the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific in order to create a security environment that does not tolerate any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies.
