TRILATEX '07
USS John S. McCain hosts CTF 70 during TRILATEX
[CTF 70 Public Affairs, 25 April 2007]
YOKOSUKA, Japan – USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) hosted Rear Admiral Richard B Wren - Commander of Task Force 70 - during April 16's TRILATEX '07, the first naval exercise with ships and aircraft from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Indian Navy and the US Navy. From the decks of McCain – the US Navy flagship during the exercise - Rear Admiral Wren watched as the destroyer and eight other participating ships sailed around the Tokyo Bay into a close triangular formation and manoeuvered to render honors to the embarked senior officer on each ship. "Seeing our ships communicate and work so well with the Indian and Japanese Navies was truly a great experience," he said. "And it couldn't have been any better than observing the exercise from the fine ship McCain."
The crew was also excited about hosting the Commander of US 7th Fleet's Battle Force for the first time. Besides observing the exercise, Rear Admiral Wren met with senior enlisted and officer personnel to solicit questions and exchange insights. He also promoted two Sailors and awarded 12 crewmembers with the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) pins during an All Hands Call. "Thank you for inviting me to your ship," said Rear Admiral Wren. "It has been a great experience meeting you all and seeing what this fine ship can do. I know that working together we can make the Forward Deployed Naval Forces and 7th Fleet even better." The Battle Force Commander's visit made a big impact on McCain's Sailors, according to Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Phillip Rosas.
"I worked and studied a long time to earn my pin," he said. "It's really an honor and privilege to have my accomplishment recognized by Admiral Wren." The United States was represented in TRILATEX by USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), USS Mustin (DDG 89), two SH-60B Seahawk helicopters, one P-3C Orion and other aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 5. Japanese ships that participated include JS Kirishima (DDG 174), JS Ikazuchi (DD 107), JS Murasame (DD 101), JS Takanami (DD 110) and three SH-60K Seahawk helicopters. Participating Indian Navy ships were INS Mysore D62, INS Kuthar P46, INS Jyoti A58, one HAL Chetak helicopter and one Sea King Mk.42B helicopter. The McCain is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces and the US 7th Fleet.
Images Courtesy - United States Navy
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