Six nations start Indo-Pacific sea exercise for anti-submarine warfare

Two U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft join Australia, Canada, India, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and South Korea to begin multi-national exercise Sea Dragon 22, Navy said in a press statement.

The P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) with Patrol Squadrons (VP) 47 and 26, traveled to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam to hone their skills with members of the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Navy. Sea Dragon 22, primarily centering on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training and excellence, culminates in over 270 hours of in-flight training; ranging from tracking simulated targets to the final problem of tracking a live U.S. Navy submarine.

During classroom training sessions, pilots and flight officers from all countries build plans and discuss tactics incorporating the capabilities and equipment of their respective nations.

“As [officer-in-charge] OIC, I am eager for the opportunity to further develop our partnerships with Australia, Canada, India, Japan, and Korea while at Sea Dragon 2022. The continued growth and increasing complexity of this exercise affords an opportunity to practice ASW tactics, techniques, and procedures with allies and partners that we don’t often get a chance to work with,” said Lt. Cmdr. Braz Kennedy, OIC for the U.S. detachment from VP-47, according to Navy statement.

“This exercise is an annual, multi-national high-end ASW training exercise,” said JMSDF Cmdr. Michiyama Tomoyuki, commanding officer of Flight Division 31, Air Patrol Squadron 3.

“I believe that by conducting a wide range of training, from classroom training on the ground to actual training targeting submarine, we will be able to improve our tactical skills. In addition, through training, exchange of opinions, and various type of exchanges, we expect to strengthen cooperation and deepen mutual understanding among the participating navies and air forces.”

Source: The Defense Post