WATERS TO THE SOUTH OF JAPAN -- Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, commander U.S. 3rd Fleet, and Rear Adm. Matthew Carter, commander, Naval Forces Japan, visited the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), Oct. 18.

The visit coincided with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Fleet Review, a tri-annual event showcasing Japan’s naval force.

“I’m a big believer in maritime partnerships,” said Tyson. “These partnerships are the keys to success when operating forward and abroad. It allows us to build trust and a mutual understanding with our naval counterparts.”

During their visit, Tyson and Carter toured the ship and had the opportunity to meet and speak with Sailors of the crew and wardroom.

The tour route consisted of the ship’s combat information center, several combat systems areas, the ship’s store, wardroom and bridge.

Before heading to the ship’s bridge for the fleet review, Tyson had the opportunity to present five awards and two Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pins to a select group of Chancellorsville Sailors.

After presenting to the honorees, Tyson remarked on the unique and rewarding opportunity the crew had for being newly forward-deployed to Japan and congratulated them on a job well done.

During the review, Tyson, Carter, Chancellorsville’s commanding officer Capt. Curt Renshaw, and executive officer Cmdr. Matthew Smidt, rendered salutes from the ship’s bridge wing as JMSDF ships passed carrying Japanese citizens, visitors, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe himself.

“Events like this are invaluable to the navies operating in the western Pacific,” said Carter. “We can learn so much from each other and preserve the peace we’ve enjoyed over the last 70 years.”

More than 40 ships from six different countries participated in this year’s fleet review hosted by the JMSDF.

Chancellorsville is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.