ADMM Plus Maritime Security and Counter Terrorism Field Training Exercise 2016 Underway in Brunei

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BRUNEI

05.03.2016

Courtesy Story

Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-Plus) Maritime Security and Counter Terrorism Exercise began May 3 with an opening ceremony at the Multi National Coordination Center in Brunei.

The exercise aims to enhance cooperation between ADMM-Plus nations in maritime security and counterterrorism, while promoting information sharing in responding to relevant and contemporary training scenarios.

“ADMM-Plus continues the trend of increased multilateral cooperation among navies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific,” said Cmdr. Lex Walker, deputy commodore, Destroyer Squadron 7. “Working together at sea under realistic training scenarios enhances maritime cooperation and prepares our navies to work together during times of crisis.”

The harbor phase of ADDM plus 2016 includes communications exercises, visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) skills exchanges, flight deck familiarization and a welcome reception hosted by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG-63) will participate in the sea phase of the exercise while assigned to a maritime task group. The sea-phase will feature a maritime security and counter terrorism scenario. Both scenarios include cross-deck helicopter operations, VBSS training, divisional tactics, and communication drills.

“We are looking forward to getting out to sea and training together with sailors from other regional navies,” said Cmdr. Harry Marsh, commanding officer, USS Stethem. “Our crew will be able to see first-hand how other navies operate and we can learn from them while sharing our own operational tactics and procedures.”

The exercise concludes with arrival of participating ships in Singapore along with a land storming counter terrorism exercise. The semi-annual exercise involves navies and armed forces personnel from 18 ADMM-Plus countries, including the 10 ASEAN Member States of Brunei-Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, and the eight Plus countries of Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation and the United States.

U.S. military units participating include USS Stethem, a P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol craft, U.S. Army Pacific chemical, biological, radiological and explosives (CBRE) teams, and staff from the U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Task Force 73 and Destroyer Squadron 7.

• Date Taken: 05.03.2016
• Date Posted: 05.02.2016 21:34
• Story ID: 197108
• Location: BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BN