The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the U.S. Navy signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Dec. 6 aimed at bolstering cooperation between their electronic attack squadrons. The agreement, inked at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, marks a new chapter for the JMSDF’s VQ-81, which for decades has trained closely with the U.S. Navy’s VQ-1, a squadron now in the midst of retiring its venerable EP-3E Aries II aircraft.
The roots of the relationship between VQ-81 and VQ-1 run deep. The squadrons have collaborated since 1983, formalizing their ties with an annual unit exchange initiated in 1994. These exchanges focused on enhancing interoperability and building rapport between the two units. However, the operational landscape is shifting. The EP-3E, a stalwart of signals intelligence gathering that served for nearly six decades, completed its final flight in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations on Oct. 29. The U.S. Navy is transitioning to newer platforms, like the P-8A Poseidon and MQ-4C Triton, to fill the gap.
This changing of the guard has prompted a new partnership. The newly signed MOU centers on increased cooperation between VQ-81, which flies UP-3D electronic attack aircraft, and the U.S. Navy’s VAQ-141, an EA-18G Growler squadron forward-deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni as part of Carrier Air Wing 5. The agreement is a clear signal of the two navies’ commitment to deepening their electronic warfare capabilities in the face of mounting security concerns in the Indo-Pacific.
The MOU outlines a plan to expand shared air and maritime domain awareness, a crucial element in a region where potential adversaries are rapidly advancing their own electronic warfare capabilities. The pact also calls for refining combined electronic attack tactics, ensuring the two squadrons can seamlessly operate together in a high-intensity conflict.
The signing ceremony was attended by JMSDF Vice Adm. Koji Kaneshima, Commander, Fleet Air Force, and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk, Commander, Task Force 70. Both commanders stressed the importance of the agreement in bolstering the alliance between the two nations.
“Today, we’re formalizing our commitment to generate real warfighting advantage by increasing and enhancing our combined technology and expertise in the field of electronic warfare,” said Newkirk. “Our work together moving forward will allow us to expand our shared air and maritime domain awareness, as well as refine and perfect our combined electronic attack capability.”
The retirement of the EP-3E marks the end of an era, but this new agreement signifies the enduring commitment of the JMSDF and U.S. Navy to maintaining a technological edge in the electronic warfare domain.
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