U.S. Navy and Japan participate in the 18th Annual Joint Drill

23 December 2025

From Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Providakes - Commander, Submarine Group Seven

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Dec. 18, 2025) — The 18th iteration of U.S.-Japan Annual Joint Drill, involving the U.S. Navy, government of Japan, and the city of Yokosuka, took place on Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Dec. 18.

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This year’s drill, led by Commander, Submarine Group 7, simulated a medical emergency aboard a nuclear-powered warship, the forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). During the drill, the simulated injured Sailor was carried off the ship, transported to U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka for care and testing, and then transferred to Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital for further care.

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Dec. 9, 2025) — A drill participant monitors a simulated injured person for low level radioactivity during an annual U.S.–Japan Joint Drill dry run. The drill, led by Commander, Submarine Group Seven, simulates a medical emergency aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), emphasizing the precedence of medical treatment. The low levels of radioactivity simulated as being present are about the same amount as the naturally occurring radioactivity found in a banana and are easily removed. Now in its 18th iteration, this U.S.-Japan Joint Drill demonstrates the integral coordination and cooperation between the U.S. Navy, Government of Japan, and city of Yokosuka that further supports the alliance between the two nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Daniel Taylor/USNMRTC Yokosuka Public Affairs)

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Dec. 18, 2025) – U.S. Navy medical personnel assigned to U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka treat a simulated injured person at the hospital Emergency Room during the Joint Response Drill, Dec. 18, 2025. The drill, led by Commander, Submarine Group 7, simulates a medical emergency aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). Now in its 18th iteration, this U.S.-Japan Joint Response Drill demonstrates the integral coordination and cooperation between the U.S. Navy, Government of Japan, and City of Yokosuka that further supports the alliance between the two nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel G. Providakes)

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Dec. 18, 2025) – Lt. Cmdr. Jasen Koerner and Miki Arai, executive assistant for U.S. Navy Hospital Yokosuka (USNHY), speak to media at USNHY during the Joint Response Drill, Dec. 18, 2025. The drill, led by Commander, Submarine Group 7, simulates a medical emergency aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). Now in its 18th iteration, this U.S.-Japan Joint Response Drill demonstrates the integral coordination and cooperation between the U.S. Navy, Government of Japan, and City of Yokosuka that further supports the alliance between the two nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel G. Providakes)

Japanese Nuclear Regulation Authority and U.S. Navy participants simulate radiological surveys on the pier during the U.S.-Japan Joint Drill at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Dec. 18, 2025. The surveys are shared with each other and confirm no radiological impact to the base and environment from the simulated event. The drill, led by Commander, Submarine Group Seven, simulates a medical emergency aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), emphasizing the precedence medical treatment holds in a joint response. Now in its 18th iteration, this U.S.-Japan Joint Drill demonstrates the integral coordination and cooperation between the U.S. Navy, Government of Japan, and City of Yokosuka that further supports the alliance between our two nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyree Rogers)

The drill highlighted the importance medical care holds in U.S. Navy emergency protocols, displayed by the immediate priority of medical treatment for the Sailor.

The purpose of this year’s drill was to demonstrate government of Japan, city of Yokosuka, and U.S. Government senior leadership communication and cooperation during an emergency response situation.

“The Joint Drill provides an important opportunity for the government of Japan, city of Yokosuka and the U.S. Navy to work very closely together to develop and practice planning, coordination, and communication along with joint monitoring protocols,” said Ben Elijah, Naval Area Commander Communication Center program manager.

The exercise served as an opportunity to improve bilateral interoperability and led to continued developments towards refined emergency communications and coordination between participants.

“This will lead to closer cooperation with related organizations and improved monitoring capabilities,” said Kazuhiro Tani, Nuclear Regulation Authority spokesperson. “By conducting such drills, we can confirm the safety of nuclear-powered [ships] and improve transparency.”

The Joint Drill, started in 2007, simulates varying responses to minor events that can occur on U.S. nuclear powered warships. Every year, the U.S. Navy and Japan utilize their combined trainings and lessons learned, refining the operational effective and further aligning the allies’ mutual interest towards the safety and security of the region and its communities.