U.S. Navy, JMSDF Strengthen Alliance through Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training

05 March 2021

From Destroyer Squadron 15

Units and personnel from the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) conclude bilateral advanced warfighting training (BAWT) exercise March 6.

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BAWT is an annual bilateral training exercise that improves the iron-clad partnership between U.S. and Japanese forces. This year’s exercise, which began March 1, focused on enhancing readiness and interoperability of coalition forces of the U.S. and JMSDF, with a special focus on coordinating strategies and tactics in an all-domain environment.

Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Zachary Kai signals to a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) SH-60 Seahawk assigned to the JS Ise (DDH 182) on the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training exercise.

SLIDESHOW | images | 210304-N-HI376-1163 PHILIPPINE SEA (March 4, 2021) Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Zachary Kai signals to a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) SH-60 Seahawk assigned to the JS Ise (DDH 182) on the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training exercise. BAWT focuses on joint training and interoperability of coalition forces and enables real-world proficiency and readiness in response to any contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jeremy Graham)

Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Dane Potzinger, from Ada, Mich., signals a Japan Maritime Self Defense Force SH-60 Seahawk to land on the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65).

SLIDESHOW | images | 210304-N-FO714-2023 PHILIPPINE SEA (March 4, 2021) Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Dane Potzinger, from Ada, Mich., signals a Japan Maritime Self Defense Force SH-60 Seahawk to land on the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) while Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Glenrick Henry, from Bronx, N.Y., spots for safety during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training Exercise. BAWT focuses on joint training and interoperability of coalition forces, and enables real-world proficiency and readiness in response to any contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deanna C. Gonzales)

Capt. Chase Sargeant, commodore of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, and Cmdr. Tin Tran, commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), observe a group maneuvering exercise with ships assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training exercise.

SLIDESHOW | images | 210303-N-HI376-2235 PHILIPPINE SEA (March 3, 2021) Capt. Chase Sargeant, commodore of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, and Cmdr. Tin Tran, commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), observe a group maneuvering exercise with ships assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training exercise. BAWT focuses on joint training and interoperability of coalition forces and enables real-world proficiency and readiness in response to any contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jeremy Graham)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force guided-missile destroyer JS Shiranui (DDG 120) and helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182) sail in formation during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training Exercise.

SLIDESHOW | images | 210303-N-FO714-1259 PHILIPPINE SEA (March 3, 2021) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force guided-missile destroyer JS Shiranui (DDG 120) and helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182) sail in formation during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training Exercise. BAWT focuses on joint training and interoperability of coalition forces, and enables real-world proficiency and readiness in response to any contingency. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deanna C. Gonzales)

SLIDESHOW | images | 210303-N-FO714-1138 PHILIPPINE SEA (March 3, 2021) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force guided-missile destroyer JS Shiranui (DDG 120) and helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182) sail in formation during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training Exercise. BAWT focuses on joint training and interoperability of coalition forces, and enables real-world proficiency and readiness in response to any contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deanna C. Gonzales)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Benfold (DDG 65) and USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) sail in formation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force guided-missile destroyer JS Shiranui (DDG 120) and helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182) during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training Exercise.

SLIDESHOW | images | 210303-N-FO714-1086 PHILIPPINE SEA (March 3, 2021) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Benfold (DDG 65) and USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) sail in formation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force guided-missile destroyer JS Shiranui (DDG 120) and helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182) during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training Exercise. BAWT focuses on joint training and interoperability of coalition forces and enables real-world proficiency and readiness in response to any contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deanna C. Gonzales)

USS Benfold (DDG 65) and USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) sail in formation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force guided-missile destroyer JS Shiranui (DDG 120) and helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182) during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training Exercise.

SLIDESHOW | images | 210303-N-FO714-1065 PHILIPPINE SEA (March 3, 2021) - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Benfold (DDG 65) and USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) sail in formation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force guided-missile destroyer JS Shiranui (DDG 120) and helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182) during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training Exercise. BAWT focuses on joint training and interoperability of coalition forces, and enables real-world proficiency and readiness in response to any contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deanna C. Gonzales)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) sails in formation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force missile destroyer JS Harusame (DD 102) during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training Exercise.

SLIDESHOW | images | 210303-N-FO714-1015 PHILIPPINE SEA (March 3, 2021) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) sails in formation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force missile destroyer JS Harusame (DD 102) during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training Exercise. BAWT focuses on joint training and interoperability of coalition forces, and enables real-world proficiency and readiness in response to any contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deanna C. Gonzales)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) flies the Battle Ensign underway during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training Exercise.

SLIDESHOW | images | 210301-N-FO714-1057 PHILIPPINE SEA (March 1, 2021) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) flies the Battle Ensign underway during the annual U.S.-Japan Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training Exercise. BAWT focuses on joint training and interoperability of coalition forces and enables real-world proficiency and readiness in response to any contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deanna C. Gonzales)

"Every opportunity we have to sharpen our combined lethality with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is invaluable to our forward-deployed forces," said Capt. Chase Sargeant, commander, Destroyer Squadron 15.

"Exercises like BAWT reinforce the strength of our alliance and serve to bolster regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region."

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VIDEO | 01:00 | USS John S. McCain conducts flight quarters with JMSDF during BAWT 2021

The United States and Japan have forged a relationship built on a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and regularly conduct bilateral exercises and operations to strengthen regional adherence to international norms.

Participants included USS John S McCain (DDG 56), USS Benfold (DDG 65), JS Ise (DDH 182), JS Shiranui (DDG 120), JS Harusame (DD 102), and various support ships.

"We are very pleased to have a bilateral exercise 'BAWT 2021' with the U.S. Navy," said Capt. YOSUKE Inaba, commander, Escort Division Six. “Bilateral exercises such as BAWT 2021 always help us improve our tactical skills and the interoperability between the JMSDF and the U.S. Navy. I am really looking forward to working with Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and gaining successful results.”

Training exercises like BAWT 2021 help develop regional capabilities between U.S. Navy and JMSDF. These capabilities provide layered defensive options aimed at protecting joint interests and those of their allies and partners. The participating forces exercised a wide range of capabilities and demonstrated the inherent flexibility of our combined forces. These capabilities range from maritime security operations to more complex anti-submarine and air defense exercises.

BAWT used realistic, shared training scenarios to enhance the ability of the U.S. Navy and JMSDF to work together to confront any contingency. BAWT prepares forces to provide the ready, credible deterrence that stabilizes the Indo-Pacific, and promotes peace and prosperity for all nations throughout the region.
DESRON 15 is the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.

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