USS Rushmore reaches Sasebo for forward-deployed service. /Naval Today

ANNUALEX 2021 marks the first time in 20 years that the Germany Navy is participating in maritime exercises in the region.
“The invitation to Japan-led ANNUALEX 2021 represents the operational highlight of FGS Bayern’s deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. Being the first German warship in nearly two decades to sail these seas, […]” said Cmdr. Tilo Kalski, commanding officer, German Navy’s FGS Bayern. /Naval News

Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan and the U.S. join for ANNUALEX 2021. Five international navies, to include the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), German Navy (GMN), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and U.S. Navy, will engage in various events to include enhanced maritime communication tactics, anti-submarine warfare operations, air warfare operations, replenishments-at-sea, cross-deck flight operations and maritime interdiction maneuvers. /Naval News

AUKUS: Australia signs naval nuclear propulsion information sharing agreement. The signing of the Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information Agreement (the Agreement) with our AUKUS partners – the United Kingdom and the United States – is another important step in Australia’s pursuit of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
/Naval News

South Korea’s 4th Yangyang-class minesweeper handed over to ROK Navy
/Naval News

Guam Needs SM-6 Missile for Hypersonic Defense, Navy Admiral Says. Rear Adm. Tom Druggan called the SM-6 “our leading defense capability for hypersonic missile defense.”
/USNI News

China Coast Guard Attacks Resupply Mission for Filipino Troops on BRP Sierra Madre. Two Chinese Coast Guard vessels launched water cannons onto two Filipino boats during a resupply mission, a move that prompted the Philippine government to file a diplomatic protest against China, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin said on Thursday. /USNI

U.S. and Japanese Ships Hold Anti-Submarine Warfare Drills in the South China Sea. The first multilateral drill will include the JMSDF, U.S. Navy, the Royal Australian Navy and the German Navy, while the second involves the JMSDF, U.S. Navy, RAN and the Royal Canadian Navy. A total of 20 JMSDF ships and 40 JMSDF aircraft, 10 U.S. Navy ships, two RAN ships, a single RCN ship and a single German Navy ship will take part in these drills./USNI News

Aircraft Carrier Killer: What Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles Are, And Who Has Them. /Naval News

USS Rushmore Arrives in Sasebo for Forward-Deployed Duties
/U.S. Pacific Command News