US, Singapore Navies launch joint maritime exercise off Guam

The US Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) launched Exercise Pacific Griffin 2025 in the waters off Guam on Saturday, June 7, marking the fifth iteration of the biennial exercise.

"Pacific Griffin is a testament to the enduring partnership between the US and Singapore navies," said Captain Matt Scarlett, commodore of Destroyer Squadron Seven (DESRON 7). "This year’s exercise emphasises combined maritime operations in a complex environment, reflecting our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

Pacific Griffin 2025 will feature advanced combined command-and-control tactics and procedures. Also planned are a range of advanced anti-submarine warfare and anti-air warfare events, and complex maritime interdiction operations.

Pacific Griffin is an extension of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training exercise series, which normally includes the United States and some ASEAN member nations such as Brunei, Thailand and the Philippines as participants.

The RSN’s participating assets are the Formidable-class frigate RSS Supreme, with an embarked S-70B Seahawk naval helicopter, the Independence-class littoral mission vessel RSS Sovereignty, and two Fokker-50 maritime patrol aircraft.

Participants from the US are sailors and marines from Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72; CTF-74; CTF-76; and DESRON 7. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft are also participating.

"Pacific Griffin is one of many technologically robust training opportunities we participate in throughout the year that allows us to build dynamic competencies as an integrated maritime force," added Scarlett.