Japan's antipiracy patrol in Gulf of Aden

Japan's antipiracy patrol in Gulf of Aden

TOKYO, Japan - The pilot of a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C patrol aircraft observes the scene in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia on July 9, 2012, during antipiracy operations. To the lower left is the MSDF's escort vessel Sawagiri.

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)Japan approves support plan for U.S.-led strikes

(5)Japan approves support plan for U.S.-led strikes

SASEBO, Japan - Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSD) Aegis ship Kongou (L) and destroyer Sawagiri are berthed at MSD Sasebo Base on Nov. 16, 2001, as the government approved a basic plan for Japan's nonbombat support for U.S.-led war on terrorism.

(5)Japan approves support plan for U.S.-led strikes

(5)Japan approves support plan for U.S.-led strikes

SASEBO, Japan - Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSD) Aegis ship Kongou (L) and destroyer Sawagiri are berthed at MSD Sasebo Base on Nov. 16, 2001, as the government approved a basic plan for Japan's nonbombat support for U.S.-led war on terrorism.

(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.

Japanese destroyer heads home after 3-month antipiracy mission

Japanese destroyer heads home after 3-month antipiracy mission

Crew members aboard the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sawagiri wave their hats from the deck to send off fellow MSDF destroyer Murasame (background) in Djibouti, eastern Africa, on July 30, 2015. Murasame was on its way back to Japan after completing a three-month antipiracy mission in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia, east Africa. The duty is passed on to Sawagiri. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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.