DefenceTalkDefenceTalkOKINAWA, Japan — Mine warfare forces from the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) started Mine Warfare Exercise (MIWEX) 2JA 2020 off the coast of northern Japan, July 20. “Working with our JMSDF allies to keep our mine countermeasure skills sharp is absolutely essential,” said Rear Adm. Fred Kacher, commander of Expeditionary Strike […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-japan-msdf-flex-mine-warfare-capabilities-during-exercise-2ja-75967/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkPHILIPPINE SEA: The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Australian Defense Force (ADF), and the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group began a trilateral exercise in the Philippine Sea, July 19. U.S. Naval forces routinely operate alongside regional allies, strengthening shared commitments to regional stability, and a free and open Indo-Pacific through integrated training and cooperation. “The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/australia-japan-join-u-s-for-trilateral-naval-exercise-75956/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkAmid rising tensions across the Taiwan Straits with the US military’s increasingly frequent operations in the region, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently held drills in the East China Sea, with the latest, more powerful, anti-stealth aircraft-capable version of the Type 052D destroyer making its first public appearance, according to military reports over […]https://www.defencetalk.com/plas-upgraded-type-052d-destroyer-makes-training-debut-in-e-china-sea-75907/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkAn explosion on a United States Navy ship moored at a base in California set off a major fire on Sunday injuring 21 people, officials and local media said. The USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault vessel, was in port in San Diego for maintenance when the explosion erupted. Thick smoke could be seen billowing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/major-fire-breaks-out-on-us-navy-ship-in-california-75892/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkThe State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of France of three (3) E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of France […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-to-buy-e-2d-advanced-hawkeye-aircraft-spares-and-support-equipment-75865/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkJOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii: One B-52 Stratofortress bomber from the 96th Bomb Squadron, 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, took off from home station and participated in a maritime integration exercise with the USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike groups in the South China Sea before landing at Andersen Air […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-sends-b-52-bomber-over-south-china-sea-as-china-steps-up-naval-drills-75849/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkSOUTH CHINA SEA: The Nimitz Carrier Strike Force celebrated Independence Day with unmatched sea power while deployed to the South China Sea conducting dual carrier operations and exercises in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. High-end integrated exercises build unmatched flexibility, endurance, maneuverability, and firepower in an all-domain warfighting environment. These efforts support enduring […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dual-carrier-strike-groups-in-south-china-sea-reinforce-us-commitment-to-freedom-75842/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkSOUTH CHINA SEA: Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Kashima class-training vessel JS Kashima (TV-3508) and Shimayuki-class training vessel JS Shimayuki (TV-3513) conducted bilateral exercises while sailing together in the South China Sea, June 23. Gabrielle Giffords, Kashima and Shimayuki met at sea to practice and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/u-s-japan-navies-exercise-together-in-south-china-sea-75755/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkSAN DIEGO: The Navy’s first CMV-22B Osprey for operational use arrived at Naval Air Station North Island, June 22. The aircraft is assigned to the “Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30, the Navy’s first CMV-22B squadron. VRM-30 was established in 2018 to begin the Navy’s transition from the C-2A Greyhound to the CMV-22B […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-cmv-22b-for-operational-use-arrives-at-naval-air-station-75751/

DefenceTalkSOUTH CHINA SEA: The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) and the Republic of Singapore Navy Formidable-class multi-role stealth frigate RSS Steadfast (FFS 70) conducted a bilateral exercise in the South China Sea, May 24-25. The events were an opportunity for Gabrielle Giffords and Steadfast to practice and enhance bilateral interoperability between […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-singapore-navies-conduct-joint-exercise-in-south-china-sea-75672/