A U.S. Navy Los Angeles-class attack submarine will participate in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Submarine Competition (SUBCOMP) in waters south of Japan, Feb. 13 to 20.
SUBCOMP is designed to evaluate and test Japanese crews across multiple platforms on their ability to conduct various aspects of anti-submarine warfare. The inclusion of U.S. Navy assets in the exercise also provides an excellent opportunity for bilateral integration and coordination in an anti-submarine warfare environment for both the U.S. Navy and the JMSDF.
In addition to the U.S. submarine, this year’s SUBCOMP will feature several JMSDF submarines, four aircraft wings, an aircraft squadron and five JMSDF ships including the Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Ise (182). The top performing crew will be recognized with the Japanese Battle Efficiency Award.
During the exercise, a U.S. Navy sonar technician from the U.S. Pacific Fleet Navy Data Center will embark a JMSDF submarine.