Japan, France and the United States Conducted A Joint Amphibious Exercise For the 1st Time

The French Navy (Marine Nationale) announced it has conducted joint amphibious maneuvers with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the US Navy last month in the East China Sea.

Named Kitsune 2015, the exercise (which was a first for the three navies) involved the Mistral class LHD Dixmude and Lafayette class Frigate Aconit of the French Navy, the Osumi (head of the class) tank landing ship of the JMSDF and Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Preble of the US Navy.

The first day of Kitsune 2015 (May 16, 2015) was devoted to helicopter flights and tactical maneuvers between the four vessels.

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