An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Feb. 5, 2020

Commander Task Force-72 Wraps Up Sea Dragon 2020

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Thomas Higgins VP-45

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The U.S. Navy and its maritime partners concluded operations for the multilateral exercise Sea Dragon 2020, Jan 30.

Maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft (MPRA) from Commander Task Force (CTF) 72 trained with units from Patrol Squadron (VP) 45, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) and the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) centric exercise.

The units from the U.S., Australia, Japan, Korea and New Zealand gathered at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, USA to plan and execute multiple ASW training scenarios. The goal being to evaluate and improve the interoperability elements required to effectively and cohesively increase the credible combat power required to respond to the defense of a regional contingency in the Indo-Pacific, while continuing to build and strengthen relationships held between the nations. This year marks the second iteration of operation Sea Dragon.

The first day of the exercise consisted of safety briefs to introduce and prepare the nations for what to expect during the exercise, as well as on the island itself.

Lt. Cmdr. Timothy Bierbach, officer in charge of the exercise (OCE), emphasized how impressive it was to see the rate at which the exercise has grown since last year.

“Exercises like this are what make us stronger and more efficient warfighters, not just as individuals but collectively,” said Bierbach. “We are powered by the people, driven by the mission and fueled by success. If we can remember that, I have no doubt that Sea Dragon 2020 will be something truly special.”

The following six days of the exercise consisted of Expendable Mobile ASW Training Target (EMATT) exercises and Portable Target Programming (PTP) training, where the nations were trained to program the EMATT, scored and evaluated as individual crews on their ability to effectively track and eliminate the simulated targets, competing with each other in a friendly environment for bragging rights and the Sea Dragon ASW Champion Trophy, which was previously held by last years champions, RAAF.

Following the six-day competition, each crews score was added up. The nations gathered for a social event to crown this year’s champion, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, as well as to promote cooperation and friendship between nations.

The final days of Sea Dragon consisted of a tracking exercise with a submarine participating as a simulated target.
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
363,168
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
DIU Partners With AUKUS Pillar II for International Prize Challenge
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 26, 2024 - The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is launching the first trilateral prize challenge through AUKUS Pillar II— a defense and security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (U.S.)— to...

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Andrew Winternitz Concludes Trip to Japan for Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 26, 2024 - Department of Defense spokesperson Lt. Col. Martin Meiners provided the following readout...

Marines, Sailors Participate in Holi Festival and Community Events at Tiger TRIUMPH
U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Maxwell Gallahan, center left, a platoon commander assigned to Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in musical chairs at a community relations event during Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH in Visakhapatnam, India, March 22, 2024. Tiger TRIUMPH is a U.S.-India tri-service amphibious exercise focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief readiness and interoperability. Tiger TRIUMPH enables U.S. and Indian Armed Forces to improve interoperability and bilateral, joint, and service readiness in the Indian Ocean region and beyond to better achieve mutual regional security objectives. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Robert Nanna)
March 26, 2024 - Marines and Sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embraced India's culture during celebrations, athletic exchanges, and community relations engagements as they participate in Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024...

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Minister of National Defence Judith Collins of New Zealand
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 25, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Ryder provided the following readout...

First of its kind deployment of Marine cyber forces to the INDO-PACOM Theater
Marines with Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command pose for photos in the cyber operations center at Lasswell Hall aboard Fort Meade, Maryland, Feb. 5, 2020. MARFORCYBER Marines conduct offensive and defensive cyber operations in support of United States Cyber Command and operate, secure and defend the Marine Corps Enterprise Network. This image is a photo illustration.
March 25, 2024 - Marines assigned to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyber Command deployed to Okinawa, Japan as part of the inaugural iteration of a new cyber rotational force concept...