The ten-day SWATT exercise was conducted in the Philippine Sea. Credit: US Navy.

The US Navy’s Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) has carried out a series of surface warfare exercises to demonstrate its combat capability.

Known as Surface Warfare Advanced Technical Training (SWATT), the exercises were conducted in the Philippine Sea between 14 and 23 January.

The activity allowed the US Navy vessel and its crew to demonstrate their efficiency to undertake joint combat operations with other allied and partner nations.

USS Shiloh is forward deployed to the US Seventh Fleet area of operations Yokosuka, Japan. The deployment contributes to promote and maintain security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

During this ten-day training event, USS Shiloh carried out various live-fire drills to test its onboard weapon systems, including Mark 45 5-inch gun, Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) and Mark 38 25mm machine gun.

The ship also performed other simulated exercises, such as strait transits, navigation missions and small boat counters, to enhance its interoperability with other participating vessels.

Apart from USS Shiloh, the exercise involved participation of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) and another Ticonderoga-class vessel USS Chancellorsville (CG 62).

A Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force’s (JMSDF) Atago-class ship, JS Ashigara (DDG 178), was also a part of this exercise. It was the first time DDG 178 took part in SWATT exercise.

Towards the end of SWATT, CG 67 also conducted test-firing of a standard missile, targeted against a drone, which was controlled from the vessel’s combat information centre.

USS Shiloh combat systems officer lieutenant commander Joshua Szakal said: “This exercise gave the crew an opportunity to utilise its combat power. We want to be able to dominate and bring lethality of the Navy where it is needed.”

https://www.naval-technology.com/news/uss-shiloh-combat-swatt-exercises/