Three Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force Ships, JDS Kashima, JDS Setoyuki and JDS Asagiri have arrived at Garden Island, Sydney, for a three-day port visit.
The ships are part of the JMSDF Training Squadron. Since 1956, the Squadron has been conducting annual overseas training cruises to develop the knowledge and skills of Junior Officers, who have completed the General Officer Midshipman’s Course at the JMSDF candidate school.
Commodore Training Force, Commodore Michael Rothwell said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome the Commander Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force Training Squadron, Rear Admiral Hideki Yuasa, to Sydney, along with his force of three ships comprising around 730 personnel, including 170 officers under training.”
Commander JMSDF Meteorology Staff, Japan Training Squadron Lieutenant Takahiko Yogura said the trainees have been learning many mariner skills during the deployment, but are pleased to spend some time at port in Sydney.
The Training Squadron is part way through an extended international voyage which has already taken the ships to ports in the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and New Zealand. Following their stay in Sydney, the training squadron will continue on a tour through the Pacific and visit the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Philippines.