USS Shiloh Takes Part in Shimoda’s Black Ship Festival

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) visited Shimoda, to participate in the city’s 76th annual Black Ship Festival, May 14-17.

The festival commemorated the 161st anniversary of the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry to Japan in 1854, a historical event that marked the beginning of diplomacy and trade agreements between the U.S. and Japan.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship JS Takawami (DD 110) also made a port visit here alongside Shiloh.

During the visit, Shiloh Sailors and ceremonial units from the U.S. 7th Fleet marched through downtown Shimoda during a parade.

Shiloh, forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific region.

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Image: US Navy