US Reagan strike group, Japan helicopter destroyer conduct exercises in PHL sea

The Ronald Reagan Strike Group of the United States and the Maritime Self Defense Force helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH 181) of Japan conducted cooperative deployment exercises in the Philippine Sea, an officer of the US Navy has said.

During the cooperative deployment from November 28 to December 5, Hyuga and the strike group participated in communication and cyber exercises.

Naval liaison officers from Commander, Escort Division 3 integrated with the Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and Commander, Task Force 70 personnel to coordinate bilateral training and operations. 

"Every time we operate with the JMSDF it improves the way our forces work together," said Captain Steven DeMoss, deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron 15, in a press release.

"We have no closer partner in the Indo-Pacific. It has been exciting to watch our alliance grow increasingly stronger in the face of growing threats in the Western Pacific," he added.

The Ronald Reagan Strike Group is forward-deployed to the US 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Hyuga is a helicopter destroyer assigned to Commander, Escort Division 3. —Anna Bajo/NB, GMA News