Over the past year, the United States and Japan have increasingly strengthened their relationship in the maritime domain through the shared mission set of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and the US Coast Guard.

The Kimball and Kashima crews operated alongside one another in the Aleutian Island chain to exchange visual communications, followed by honours, as their respective crews lined their ship’s rails for a uniform salute. This display of maritime cooperation and mutual respect emphasizes both the United States’ and Japan’s continued commitment to one another and to partnership at sea.

Captain Thomas D’Arcy, CO of Kimball commented: ‘The Kimball crew welcomed the opportunity to meet the Kashima and conduct a professional exercise at sea.

Seeing the crews aboard the Kimball and the Kashima line the rails for the passing of honours illustrates the spirit of collaboration between the US Coast Guard and Japan’s maritime forces. The exercise, movements and communications between our vessels were expertly executed and the salutes exchanged exemplify the strength of our relationship with Japan as a key partner.’