On Tuesday 13 August 2024, north of the island of Crete, the flagship unit of the Operation Safe Mediterranean, Ship Carlo Margottini, with the tactical commander of the operation on board, conducted some training activities with the naval units of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force Kashima e Shimakaze, engaged in an educational campaign for those attending the Japanese Naval Academy.
The naval units conducted kinematic maneuvers in formation for the young officers of the vessel and radio and optical communication exercises carried out by the on-board operational teams. This interaction strengthens the interoperability and bond between the navies of the two countries, both characterized by a strong maritime vocation.
During the bilateral exercise, a crosspool activity was also conducted, i.e. exchange of personnel, who were thus able to visit the main premises of the respective naval units and learn about their characteristics and habits.
The commander of the Japan training squadron, Rear Admiral Takahiro Nishiyama, welcomed by Commander Claudia Di Paolo, visited the Italian FREMM and personally met Rear Admiral Michele Orini, current tactical commander of the Operation Safe Mediterranean.
The bilateral activity has demonstrated how, regardless of geographical position, the culture of the sea and the importance of training younger personnel through long and overseas education campaigns, such as the one Nave is also carrying out Amerigo Vespucci, are a minimum common denominator and essential element for the 360° training of naval officers. Operational and seafaring training, mutual knowledge and the ability to work together are in fact an indispensable asset and part of the genome of the Navy, as well as the Japanese Navy, and of navies around the world.
