TOKYO, Japan -- Officers from U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), along with officers from various other navies, attended the commencement of the Asia-Pacific Navy Planning Process International Course (APNIC) in Tokyo, June 19.

APNIC, held at the JMSDF Command and Staff College in Meguro, Tokyo, is an annual educational course that provides staff level naval officers from various countries a forum to study and discuss enhanced multilateral cooperation and increase the effectiveness of regional navies in the execution of maritime operations.

"I hope to take away from this course a better understanding of command and control structures and look forward to working with my naval counterparts," said Lt. Casey Geloneck, U.S. 7th Fleet Staff. "The best part of this course is getting the opportunity to work side-by-side with other naval officers from the surrounding region in this type of close setting."

38 naval officers from 14 different navies were in attendance for the opening of this year's course, which will run from June 19-30.

The 11-day course will cover a wide range of topics from understanding elements of maritime command and control, understanding the essentials of naval planning processes, and demonstrating their abilities to use what they've learned in simulated scenarios.

"This course is very important in understanding the roles and responsibilities each of our navies play in the region and to help build stronger ties and partnerships between our nations," said Cmdr. Takuya Watanabe, researcher at the JMSDF Command and Staff College.

APNIC, facilitated by representatives from the U.S. Naval War College and the JMSDF Command and Staff College, aim to strengthen ties among the like-minded navies in the region and continue to educate and train naval leaders.