Tour of the JMSDF (Japan) Training Squadron during its Overseas Cruise 2023

Описание: We had the privilege to tour the ships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Training Squadron, which is currently on its 2023 Overseas Cruise. The ships of the Japan Training Squadron are JS Kashima (TV3508) and JS Hatakaze (TV3520). Onboard is a total of 550 officers and crew members, including 160 newly commissioned officers who graduated from the Maritime Officer Candidate School.

The purpose of the Overseas Training Cruise is to develop the seamanship of the newly commissioned officers through training at sea, and fostering their international perspectives, along with promoting friendly relationships with port of call countries.

Ensign Minori Suzuki is the Assistant Navigation Officer aboard JS Kashima, and was a wonderful tour guide to us at Go Bold when the ships were visiting Maritime Forces Pacific, in Esquimalt, BC, Canada.

JS Kashima is a training ship built in the mid-1990s to a unique design during and is the flagship of the JMSDF Training Fleet. The ship is 143 metres (469 ft) long, with a beam of 18 metres (59 ft), and a draft of 4.6 metres (15 ft). Kashima has a full load displacement of 4,050 tons, and is powered by a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) system providing 27,000 shaft horsepower.

The ship is armed with a single Oto Breda 76 mm gun and two triple 324 mm torpedo tube sets. Four saluting cannons are also carried. Kashima has a ship's company of 370, including officer cadets. Cadets are accommodated in two-person staterooms, allowing cadets of both sexes to train aboard the ship. The open aft deck was designed for use as a ceremonial and exercise assembly area, but can also be used as a temporary helicopter landing zone.

JS Hatakaze is a Hatakaze-class guided missile destroyer built for the JMSDF. Hatakaze was the first vessel completed of the class and was the first JMSDF vessel to use gas turbine propulsion. Hatakaze was laid down on the 20 May 1983 at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Nagasaki; and was launched on 9 November 1984, and commissioned on 27 March 1986. The ship is fitted with two 5 inch guns, two 20mm Phalanx Close-In Weapons Systems, Harpoon missiles, an SM-1 launcher, ASROC launcher, and torpedo tubes.

We thank Ens. Minori Suzuki, and the crews of JS Kashima and JS Hatakaze for their kindness and hospitality, and we wish them Fair Winds and Following Seas as they continue their Overseas Cruise 2023.

Go Bold!

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