Japan, U.S. forces begins multilateral exercise ANNUALEX 2025

PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 20, 2025) - Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Izumo-class multi-functional destroyer JS Kaga (DDH 184) (center), accompanied by JMSDF escorts, and U.S. Navy Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62) (right) forces sail together in the Philippine Sea, Oct. 20, 2025 in support of Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 25. ANNUALEX is a multilateral exercise that enhances the Japan and U.S. alliance, strengthens naval interoperability and demonstrates a joint commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class R. Ezekiel Duran)