Second Fleet Ships Conduct PASSEX with Japanese Counterparts

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Brian Goodwin, Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

USS TRUXTUN, At Sea (NNS) -- Three Norfolk-based U.S. Navy ships participated in a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) with the Japanese Navy off the east coast of Virginia, July 30.

USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and USS Dallas (SSN 700) of Destroyer Squadron 22, rendezvoused with the Japanese destroyer Sawayuki (DD 125) and training vessels Kashima (TV 3508) and Yamagiri (TV 3515) during PASSEX, which featured personnel exchanges and allowed both nations' Sailors to get a better understanding of each other and train in multiwarfare areas.

"It's a great opportunity for both nations to see how another nation operates," said Commander, Destroyer Squadron 22 Capt. Jeffrey Wolstenholme. "It was great training for the Truxtun's officers, because as we prepare to go on deployment next year, they're going to do this more with other nations."

During the personnel exchange, one of Truxtun's junior officers was surprised to see how similar the Japanese conduct their routines aboard their ships.

"It was awesome to see how their bridge team operated during a fleet maneuvering exercise," said Lt. j.g. Edward McGuinnis. "They are great with management of their people through communication."

Sawauki, Kashima and Yamagiri are currently on an around-the-world deployment with their newest officers receiving hands-on training with other nations.

Ensign Yuichiro Maehara, a submarine officer in-training aboard Yamagiri, said it was his first time aboard a U.S. Navy warship.

"It is a beautiful ship," Maehara explained. "I'm loving the chance to see similar and different systems aboard an American ship."

According to Wolstenholme, the Japanese Navy's deployment into the Atlantic provided a rare opportunity to work with a partner nation that does not usually operate off the east coast of the United States.

"Most interactions between our services usually happen with the U.S. Navy's Pacific fleet, so it's a real treat to be able to have the Japanese ships off our own coast and have this interaction with our Atlantic fleet," said Wolstenholme.