Hicks Says U.S. Strengthening Indo-Pacific Alliances

Members of the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB) return in an assault amphibious vehicle (AAV) to the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans’ (LPD 18) well deck during a certification for New Orleans Sailors and JSDF in preparation for Keen Sword 23 while in the East China Sea. Keen Sword is a joint, bilateral, biennial field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, designed to increase combat readiness and interoperability and strengthen the ironclad Japan-U.S. alliance.