2 MSDF ships return from antiterrorism mission in Arabian Sea

2 MSDF ships return from antiterrorism mission in Arabian Sea

SASEBO, Japan - The 8,100-ton supply vessel Towada of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) returns to its base in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, on April 25 for maintenance from a mission to support the U.S.-led antiterrorism campaign. Towada and the 3,550-ton destroyer Sawagiri returned home after a five-month mission.

(6)SDF ships leave for Indian Ocean

(6)SDF ships leave for Indian Ocean

SASEBO, Japan - The 3,550-ton destroyer Sawagiri sets sail from Sasebo base in Nagasaki Prefecture on Nov. 25, 2001. The ships joins the 8,100-ton supply ship Towada, which left Kure base in Hiroshima Prefecture, and the 5,650-ton minesweeper tender Uraga, which left Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, earlier in the day to head toward the Indian Ocean to provide logistical support to U.S.-led attacks in Afghanistan and offer relief aid to Afghan refugees.

(5)SDF ships leave for Indian Ocean

(5)SDF ships leave for Indian Ocean

KURE, Japan - Family members wave flags as the 8,100-ton supply ship Towada sets sail from Kure base in Hiroshima Prefecture for Pakistan on Nov. 25, 2001.

(4)3 MSDF vessels leave Sasebo for Indian Ocean

(4)3 MSDF vessels leave Sasebo for Indian Ocean

SASEBO, Japan - Family members of Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) crew from three warships wave in a pool photo at the MSDF's Sasebo base in Nagasaki Prefecture on Nov. 9 as the three vessels leave the base for the Indian Ocean. The three ships -- the 5,200-ton destroyer Kurama, the destroyer 4,550-ton Kirisame and the 8,100-ton supply ship Hamana -- were sent to the area as part of Japan's plan to provide noncombat support to the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan.

(1)3 MSDF vessels leave Sasebo for Indian Ocean

(1)3 MSDF vessels leave Sasebo for Indian Ocean

SASEBO, Japan - The 5,200-ton destroyer Kurama of the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) leaves a wharf of the MSDF's Sasebo base in Nagasaki Prefecture on Nov. 9 on a two-month fact-finding mission in the Indian Ocean as part of Japan's plan to provide noncombat support to the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan. The Kurama, along with the 4,550-ton destroyer Kirisame and the 8,100-ton supply ship Hamana, are expected to arrive in the Indian Ocean in two weeks.