US forces will participate in Exercise Pacific Steller 2025, a multi-large deck event (MLDE) hosted by the French Navy in the Philippine Sea beginning Saturday, February 8.
The exercise will involve ships from the US Navy’s Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (VINCSG), the French Carrier Strike Group, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF).
This MLDE is designed to advance coordination and cooperation between French, Japanese, and US maritime forces while simultaneously demonstrating capabilities in multi-domain operations.
“Pacific Steller 2025 allows us to practice seamless integration with our French and Japanese allies in a multi-domain environment,” said Rear Admiral Michael Wosje, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1. “Coordinated operations between USS Carl Vinson, [the French Navy aircraft carrier] Charles De Gaulle, and [the JMSDF helicopter carrier] JS Kaga strengthen our alliances and deter our adversaries.
“Together, we seek to maintain an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, free of all forms of coercion, and we’re excited to work alongside our allies and partners who share that vision.”
The most recent MLDE in the Indo-Pacific occurred in August 2024 between the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and the Italian Navy aircraft carrier Cavour. The event marked the first MLDE conducted between the US and Italian navies in the Indo-Pacific region.
The US Navy said MLDEs are conducted in a manner that is consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other states.
CSG-1 consists of Carl Vinson, embarked staffs of CSG-1 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) one, Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW) 2, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett and USS William P. Lawrence.