The San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt has arrived in Japan for Keen Sword, a massive joint military drill that will begin on Monday.
The “Big Stick,” as the carrier is known to sailors, reached Yokosuka on Friday, where it’s also taking on supplies it will need later this fall when the ship goes on patrol in the Middle East.
The Roosevelt is the flagship of a carrier strike group whose escort ships include two San Diego-based destroyers, USS Chosin and USS Paul Hamilton.
Keen Sword is held every two years and is meant to deepen the long-standing military partnership between the U.S. and Japan. This year’s 10-day exercise is designed to improve Japan’s ability to defend its territory through the use of everything from air and missile defense to surface warfare and amphibious landings.
The U.S. is honing the same skills because it is facing ongoing friction with China in the South China Sea.
About 45,000 military personnel will participate in Keen Sword, which also will feature about 40 ships, 260 aircraft and 6,100 vehicles.