Drake Long, Washington
2020-10-13
A Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force SH-60 helicopter lands on the flight deck of the USS John S. McCain in the South China Sea, Oct. 12, 2020.U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda
Japan joined the U.S. for an exercise in the South China Sea after engaging in a bit of defense diplomacy with Indonesia and Vietnam that was not welcomed by the region’s other key power – China.
Three Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships joined the U.S. Navy for a series of drills in the contested waterway that started Monday and will continue through this week.
