PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 4, 2011) U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships are underway in formation during Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX ) 2011, a bilateral field-training exercise sponsored by the Japan Self-Defense Force. ANNUALEX allows the U.S. and Japan to practice and evaluate the coordination procedures and interoperability elements required to effectively and mutually respond to the defense of Japan, a regional crisis, or a contingency situation in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo)