U.S., Japan Conduct Bilateral Exercise in the South China Sea

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 15, 2024) Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Kenneth Custudio, from San Diego, watches the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Hatakaze-class guided missile destroyer JS SHIMAKAZE and JS SUZUNAMI, conduct a bilateral exercise while aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) in the South China Sea, Feb. 15. John Finn is forward-deployed and assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Stack)