A U.S. Navy Los Angeles-class attack submarine participated in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) submarine competition (SUBCOMP) this week.

SUBCOMP is designed to evaluate and test Japanese crews across multiple platforms on their ability to conduct various aspects of anti-submarine warfare. The inclusion of U.S. Navy assets in the exercise also provides an excellent opportunity for bilateral integration and coordination in an anti-submarine warfare environment for both the U.S. Navy and the JMSDF.

In addition to the U.S. submarine, this year’s SUBCOMP featured several JMSDF submarines, four aircraft wings, an aircraft squadron and five JMSDF ships including the Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Ise (182). The top performing crew will be recognized with the Japanese Battle Efficiency Award.

During the exercise, a U.S. Navy sonar technician from the U.S. Pacific Fleet Navy Data Center embarked a JMSDF submarine.

COMSUBGRU 7 directs submarine activities throughout the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea; two forward-deployed submarine tenders and four attack submarines homeported in Guam; five surveillance towed array sensor system vessels and three oceanographic survey vessels when tasked for theater anti-submarine warfare operations. —U.S. Navy Commander, Submarine Group Seven

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