Amphibious transport dock USS Somerset joined units from the Indian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, French Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, on Monday to participate in the ongoing exercise La Perouse in the Bay of Bengal waters.
The three-day multilateral French-led maritime exercise showcases high levels of synergy, coordination and inter-operability between the friendly navies, including that of the Quad partners India, Japan, the United States and Australia. It is for the first time that India has joined the annual exercise as Indian Navy Ships INS Satpura (with an integral helicopter embarked) and INS Kiltan along with P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft exercise at sea till April 7.
"Honing our skills and capabilities at sea with some superb allies and partners makes us undeniably more effective as a maritime force," said Rear Adm. Fred Kacher, commander Expeditionary Strike Group 7 of the United States Navy. "We were honored to participate in La Perouse and our combined efforts here and in other routine exercises and operations help to ensure security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region," he added.
Flying together is always better! Check out this video of our squadrons flying with the Indian Air Force! 🇮🇳✈️🇺🇸 #WeAreTR #TRStrong #NavalAviation #FlyNavy #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific @usnavy @IAF_MCC pic.twitter.com/i6QktjC5r7
— The Official CVN 71 (@TheRealCVN71) April 6, 2021
The exercise is seeing participation by French Navy Ships Tonnerre, an amphibious assault ship and frigate Surcouf. Australia is represented by Her Majesty’s Australian Ships (HMAS) Anzac, a frigate and tanker Sirius while Japan Maritime Self Defence Ship (JMSDF) has sent destroyer Akebono. In addition to the ships, integral helicopters embarked onboard ships are also participating in the exercise.
The US Navy said that La Perouse provides an opportunity for the U.S. forces to conduct engagements with Australia, France, India and Japan in order to fulfill maritime integration training objectives by emphasizing collaboration, war fighting, integration and readiness in a dynamic theater, maritime superiority, and power projection.
"La Perouse represents an important opportunity to work with allies and partners in an increasingly important portion of the world's oceans,” said Capt. Dave Kurtz, Somerset’s commanding officer. "Demonstrating interoperability in a multitude of mission areas sends a message to potential competitors that the United States stands willing to work with and support nations committed to the free flow of commerce. Somerset's crew is excited to be able to exercise with these great nations!"
During the exercise, USS Somerset with embarked UH-1Y Venom helicopters assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th MEU will participate in maritime maneuvering exercises, air defense operations, and live firing exercises alongside partner and allied forces.
"La Perouse is another opportunity for the Royal Australian Navy to exercise with our partners, and enhance our ability to work together in the maritime domain consistent with our shared values and interests in the region," said Rear Adm. Mark Hammond, commander of the Australia Fleet.
La Perouse is an exercise during the annual French Navy midshipman deployment called Mission Jeanne d’Arc. The exercise is designed to conduct training, enhance cooperation in maritime surveillance, maritime interdiction operations, and air operations.
USS Somerset is operating under the control of Expeditionary Strike Group 7 in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
