JS KIRISAME and US-2 participated in an U.S., Australia and Philippine led multilateral exercise “Exercise SAMASAMA/LUMBAS 2022”

From October 11 to 18, Second surface unit of the Indo-Pacific Deployment 2022 (IPD22), JS KIRISAME and US-2 participated in an U.S., Australia and Philippine led multilateral exercise “Exercise SAMASAMA/LUMBAS 2022” with USS MILIUS, P-8A, HMAS HOBART, HMAS STALWART, BRP JOSE RIZAL, C-90, French Armed Forces in French Polynesia FALCON200 and HMS SPEY in the Sulu Sea.
The U.S.-Philippine bilateral exercise “Exercise SAMASAMA” is a regular exercise conducted by both the United States and the Republic of the Philippines to improve their bilateral ability to respond to crises in the region. The Australia-Philippine bilateral exercise “LUMBAS” was held at the same time, and the JMSDF, French Armed Forces and Royal Navy participated in these exercises. Many countries were able to strengthen cooperation with the aim of regional stability.
The Commanding Officer of JS KIRISAME, CDR SAKATA Atsushi said, “Through multilateral search and rescue exercise and replenishment at sea, we were able to improve our tactical capabilities and strengthen cooperation with the participating navies. US-2 and the Philippine navy's C-90 which had been transferred by Japan participated in the search and rescue exercise. In addition, not only ships but also aircraft from various countries participated, which further expanded the depth and breadth of cooperation.”
The Self-Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region and the defense of Japan, as well as the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in cooperation with allied and friendly navies.