USS Carl Vinson , JS Kaga , and FS Charles de Gaulle seen here at ‘Pacific Steller 2025' in the Philippine Sea. (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force)
A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Izumo-class helicopter carrier has completed its first multilarge deck exercise with foreign navies since being upgraded with the ability to embark fixed-wing fighter aircraft.
The exercise, which is referred to by the US as the Pacific Steller multilarge deck event (MLDE), was concluded on 18 February, the JMSDF disclosed on the same day.
It began on 8 February and took place in the Philippine Sea.
Participating large-deck ships were Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson , French carrier FS Charles de Gaulle , and Japan's second Izumo-class helicopter carrier JS Kaga .
“‘Pacific Steller 2025' allows us to practise seamless integration with our French and Japanese allies in a multidomain environment,” said Rear Admiral Michael Wosje, commander of the US Navy's Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, in a statement issued by the US Pacific Fleet.
“Co-ordinated operations between USS Carl Vinson , FS Charles de Gaulle , and JS Kaga strengthen our alliances and deter our adversaries. Together, we seek to maintain an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, free of all forms of coercion, and we're excited to work alongside our allies and partners who share that vision,” he added.
Images and videos released by the US Pacific Fleet indicate that the drills that took place at the exercise included co-ordinated sails and helicopter cross-deck landing operations between the US and French carriers.
The JMSDF had not responded to questions from Janes on whether Kaga
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