USS Green Bay, Participates in Sea Phase of Exercise Garuda Shield
Story by Lt.j.g. Mohammad Issa, Command Destroyer Squadron 7
NATUNA SEA (Aug. 12, 2022) – Two ships under command of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 participated in the sea phase of exercise Garuda Shield 2022 in the Natuna Sea August 3rd-4th.
The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) and the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) joined Indonesian Navy, known as Tentera Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL), ships at sea to develop mutual capabilities to address shared maritime security priorities and concerns. The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Formidable-class stealth frigate RSS Supreme (73) and Endurance-class landing platform dock ship RSS Resolution (208) also participated in the Garuda Shield 2022 sea phase.
“The U.S. and Indonesia have enjoyed more than 70 years of bilateral ties,” said Capt. Tom Ogden, commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7. “We share an abiding common interest in a more prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific region. We always look forward to exercises like Garuda Shield that clearly and consistently demonstrate the strength of our alliances and partnerships in the region.”
The TNI-AL assets that participated in the sea phase included Bung Tomo-class corvettes KRI Bung Tomo (357) and KRI John Lie (358), Diponegoro-class corvette KRI Frans Kaisiepo (368), and Makassar-class landing platform dock KRI Makassar (590).
“Incorporating and integrating amphibious forces is an essential part of combined training that ensures freedom of the sea in the littorals and reaffirms the United States’ warfighting commitments to our allies and partners throughout the Indo-Pacific,” said Capt. Severn B. Stevens, commanding officer of the Green Bay.
The exercise featured complex at-sea training to demonstrate the forces’ ability to work together through numerous events, including divisional tactics designed to practice maneuvering as ships sail together in complex formations. Other focus areas included surface and littoral warfare, search and rescue, a gunnery exercise, and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) events.
Garuda Shield is an annual combined and joint exercise between the Indonesian National Armed Forces and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences.
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The USS Green Bay is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock (LPD). She is the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the city and bay of Green Bay, Wisconsin.