Keen Sword 2010

U.S. Navy Airman Dequesne Noel, originally from Haiti, attached to the “Chargers” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS-14) directs a helicopter on the flight deck of USS George Washington (CVN 73) in the Pacific Ocean, on Dec. 5, 2010. USS George Washington is currently participating in Keen Sword 2011 with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force. This exercise enhances the Japan-U.S. alliance which remains a key strategic relationship in the Northeast Asia Pacific region. Keen Sword caps the 50th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. alliance as an "alliance of equals." The exercise runs through Dec. 10. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Juan Pinalez)

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Keen Sword 2010

The U.S. Navy destroyer class cruiser, USS John McCain (DDG 56), pulls alongside USS George Washington to refuel at sea in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 5, 2010. USS George Washington is currently participating in Keen Sword 2011 with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force. This exercise enhances the Japan-U.S. alliance which remains a key strategic relationship in the Northeast Asia Pacific region. Keen Sword caps the 50th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. alliance as an "alliance of equals." The exercise runs through Dec. 10. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Juan Pinalez)

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Keen Sword 2010

USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) refuels Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Escort Flotilla ships Ikazuchi (DD-107) and Kongo (DDG-173) as USS George Washington (CVN 73) steams behind in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 5, 2010. GW is currently participating in Keen Sword 2011 with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). This exercise enhances the Japan-U.S. alliance which remains a key strategic relationship in the Northeast Asia Pacific region. Keen Sword caps the 50th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. alliance as an "alliance of equals." The exercise runs through Dec. 10. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Charles Oki)

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Keen Sword 11

A rigid-hullinflatable boat (RHIB) launches from the amphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD 9) carrying two remote environmental monitoring units (REMUS 100) in the East China Sea on Dec. 5, 2010. The REMUS 100 is an unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) that is used for mine detection. These operations mark the first ever launch of a UUV from an LPD-platform ship. Denver is part of the permanently forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is underway participating in Keen Sword 2011, a joint defense exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S.Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bryan Blair)

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Keen Sword 11

Aerographer's Mate 3rdClass Ryan Vaughan (left) and Aerographer's Mate Jason Fisher run diagnostics on a remote environmental monitoring unit (REMUS 100) aboard theamphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD 9) in the East China Sea on Dec. 5, 2010. The REMUS 100 is an unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) that is used for mine detection. These operations mark the first ever launch of a UUV from an LPD-platform ship. Denver is part of the permanently forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is underway participating in Keen Sword 2011, a joint defense exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bryan Blair)

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Keen Sword 11

Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Amanda Longie from Busey, Mont. donates blood aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) to the Armed Services Blood Bank Center in the Pacific Ocean, on Dec. 5, 2010. This is the first ever blood drive the GW has held while underway. GW is currently participating in Keen Sword 2011 with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). This exercise enhances the Japan-U.S. alliance which remains a key strategic relationship in the Northeast Asia Pacific region. Keen Sword caps the 50th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. alliance as an "alliance of equals." The exercise runs through Dec. 10. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cheng S. Yang)

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Keen Sword 11

USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) approaches USS George Washington (CVN 73) for a Fueling at Sea (FAS) in the Pacific Ocean, on Dec. 5, 2010. GW is currently participating in Keen Sword 2011 with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). This exercise enhances the Japan-U.S. alliance which remains a key strategic relationship in the Northeast Asia Pacific region. Keen Sword caps the 50th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. alliance as an "alliance of equals." The exercise runs through Dec. 10. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cheng S. Yang)

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Keen Sword 11

USS George Washington Command Master Chief Marty King (left), Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Force Master Chief Koji Himori (middle) and Escort Flotilla Command Master Chief Tanaka Naosuke (right) observe operations as JMSDF Escort Flotilla ship Ikazuchi steams into position along side USS George Washington during exercise Keen Sword in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 5, 2010. The exercise enhances the Japan-U.S. alliance which remains a key strategic relationship in the Northeast Asia Pacific region. Keen Sword caps the 50th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. alliance as an "alliance of equals." The exercise runs through Dec. 10. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam K. Thomas)

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Keen Sword 2011

A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) MH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter touches down on the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD 9) during exercise Keen Sword 2011 in the East China Sea on Dec. 5, 2010. Keen Sword is the 10th joint-bilateral field training exercise since 1986 involving Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and the U.S. military. The timing of this exercise also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the signing of the U.S.-Japan Cooperation and Security Treaty. Denver is part of the permanently forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is conducting a scheduled patrol in the Western Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bryan Blair)

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More exclusive photos from Keen Sword 2011 currently underway in Japan

Published Dec. 5, 2010
Keen Sword 11 Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN -- View more exclusive photos of the U.S. and Japanese military as they participate in exercise Keen Sword 11 currently underway in the Pacific Ocean and throughout Japan.

Keen Sword 2011 is a large and complex exercise that involves all components of U.S. Joint Forces and Japanese Self-Defense Forces training to conduct bilateral operations in support of the defense of Japan in a number of locations throughout the country. The purpose and value of the training is to facilitate the interaction and improve the interoperability of both militaries.

Keen Sword 2010

Keen Sword 2010

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Keen Sword 11

Keen Sword 11

Keen Sword 11

Keen Sword 11

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Keen Sword 2011