JDS Kirishima Deploys To the War on Terrorism

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	Official U.S. Navy file photo of USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54). Curtis Wilbur crew members recently bid farewell to sailors aboard JDS Kirishima. Kirishima was leaving its home port of Yokosuka, Japan, for a deployment in support of the global war on terrorism.
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JDS Kirishima Deploys To the War on Terrorism
Story Number: NNS030107-09
Release Date: 1/7/2003 12:03:00 PM

By Journalist 2nd Class James Evans Coyle, Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The sister ship of guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Aegis destroyer JDS Kirishima (DD 174), deployed to the Indian Ocean Dec. 16 in support of the war on terrorism.

Curtis Wilbur crew members showed their support by manning their ship's foc’sle to give Kirishima a proper send off.

“The Japanese Aegis Destroyer the Kirishima is actually our sister ship, and we’ve had several events with them over the past,” said Curtis Wilbur Public Affairs Officer Ensign Eliza Colquitt.

“With all the luncheons and events we’ve had together and their officers and crew coming onboard our ship, it was very important for us to recognize and show support to the Kirishima as she heads underway for deployment. We’ve visited their ship as well on different occasions, and she’ll be gone for a very long time. We wish the best for our sister ship, and we’ll see her when she returns,” Colquitt said.

The JMSDF has not deployed a fully-armed warship in support of a real world contingency since WWII. Service members aboard Curtis Wilbur will be looking for their Japanese friends when they return from their mission.

“The entire United States Navy is very appreciative of this increased Japanese contribution to the war on terrorism,” said Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Japan, Rear Adm. Robert C. Chaplin. “Since Sept. 11, 2001, the people of Japan and the Government Of Japan have been our most ardent supporters on our global war on terrorism. Directly after those terrible events, Japan passed special legislation sending ships forward. The logistic ships deployed to areas of responsibility have supported both the Navy of Great Britain and the United States Navy and our efforts in the global war.”

For related news, visit the Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cfay.

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