US, Japan conduct anti-submarine warfare exercise in Philippine Sea

From Update.Ph (Aug 30): US, Japan conduct anti-submarine warfare exercise in Philippine Sea

The United States Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMDSF) have conducted anti-submarine warfare exercise in Philippine Sea August 22-26. The said exercise is called Ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Readiness Effectiveness Measuring (SHAREM) program.

SHAREM is a series of events focused on anti-submarine warfare procedures and tactics designed to measure how effectively surface ships and aircraft can detect and track submarines, the US Navy said.

US Navy guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73) and USS Spruance (DDG 111), a Los Angeles-class nuclear submarine, Japanese Akizuki-class destroyer JS Teruzuki (DDG 116), an Oyashio-class diesel-electric submarine participated in the exercise.

“SHAREM was an exceptional opportunity to improve our anti-submarine warfare skills and work alongside our Japanese allies,” said Lt. j.g. Sean Quirk, anti-submarine warfare officer, Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 31. “These unique exercises improve our bilateral capabilities, making us a stronger combined force to deter any adversary.”

The US Navy said Decatur and Spruance, along with USS Momsen (DDG 92) and the embarked “Devil Fish” and “Warbirds” detachments of Helicopter Strike Squadron (HSM) 49 are part of the 3rd Fleet Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG), led by CDS 31 and operating under Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, as demonstrating the “3rd Fleet Forward” concept.

http://www.update.ph/2016/08/us-japan-conduct-anti-submarine-warfare-exercise-in-philippine-sea/8873