SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Ships of the U.S. Navy, along with a cutter from the U.S. Coast Guard will conduct a trilateral exercise with ships from the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy off the coast of Hawaii Aug. 7-8 following the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.

The exercise is intended to increase interoperability, operational proficiency and readiness. The participating forces will conduct: a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercise; a counter-piracy event; search and rescue exercises (SAREX); communication drills; ship maneuvers; divisional tactics; liaison officer exchanges; and a photo exercise.

U.S. Navy ships scheduled to participate include the guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73), the guided missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90), and the Military Sealift Command dry cargo ship USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9). From the U.S. Coast Guard, the cutter USCGC Galveston Island (WPB 1349) is scheduled to participate.

The U.S. Navy is committed to helping enhance the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. Events such as this are a part of a larger effort to strengthen our alliances and partnerships, and establish security cooperation activities. Further, interoperability and defense cooperation improves our collective capability to enhance maritime safety and mitigate threats to regional security.