USS Anchorage conducts exercise at sea with Sri Lanka Navy

The USS Anchorage joined the Sri Lankan naval ship Suranimila to conduct an exercise at sea on 28 August.  The exercise allowed the ships to improve each crews’ knowledge and strengthen a wide variety of seamanship skills critical to operating throughout a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

During the exercise, multiple ships sailed in formation to practice communications and manoeuvring procedures.  In addition to the Anchorage and Suranimila, two landing craft air cushions (LCACs), one AH-1Z Cobra helicopter, and one UH-1Y Huey helicopter participated. 

“The sailors and marines on the USS Anchorage were honoured to work with our partners in the Sri Lanka Navy during their port visit,” said Amphibious Force US 7th Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Brad Cooper.  

“The close teamwork we’ve seen in this visit, US-Sri Lankan participation in multiple military exercises over the past year, and the hospital ship USNS Mercy’s visit to Trincomalee in April reflect our mutual commitment to strengthening the relationship between the US and Sri Lankan militaries.”

For the sailors aboard the Anchorage, it was also a chance to improve their skills with their Sri Lankan counterparts sailing alongside.  A part of a growing US-Sri Lanka naval partnership, the at-sea exercise follows the Anchorage’s theatre security cooperation exercise conducted with the Sri Lanka Navy and Navy Marines, the Sri Lanka Navy’s inaugural participation in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise that concluded 2 August, as well as the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Sri Lanka, held for the first time last year.

“The Anchorage team and I had an incredible time in Trincomalee, and we are proud to be serving alongside the Sri Lanka Navy,” said USS Anchorage Commanding Officer Captain Dennis Jacko.  “Not only do we increase our proficiency in communications, but we continue to build on a strong and lasting partnership with the Sri Lanka Navy.”