2023 Information Warfare Waterfront Conference

by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Breeden

14 September 2023
YOKOSUKA, Japan – Senior leadership from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States defense services assembled together aboard the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), hosted by U.S. 7th Fleet, for the 2023 Information Warfare (IW) Waterfront Conference in Yokosuka, Japan, Sept. 11-15.

The IW Waterfront Conference offered members from the “Five Eyes” (FVEY) Alliance + Japan the chance to discuss the integration of IW capabilities for upcoming combined maritime operations and exercises with allies and partners to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

“This conference was really effective at further integrating U.S. and FVEY + Japan allies and partners,” said Lt. Amy Bell, Electromagnetic Warfare Officer, U.S. 10th Fleet, a participant during the IW Waterfront Conference. “No technology in the world can effectively substitute human interaction and coordination.”

The collective gathered to dialogue successes, shared challenges and coordinate future prospects to operate together. Aimed to improve the understanding of operations within the region, Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Anderson, Fleet Communications Officer at U.S. 7th Fleet, discussed the unique opportunity the conference offered.

“We already do a lot of allied engagement but we don’t really get to tie in a lot of FVEY total holistic partnership integration,” said Anderson. “This conference shows us how we can best take advantage of future deployments with our allies and partners to generate a collaborative effect.”

The conference lasted for four days and focused on development of achievable operations in the information environment tasks, future training opportunities, and refinement of a common Information Warfare doctrine among allies and partners.

Capt. Mike Tiefel, an Information Officer at U.S. Command 7th Fleet, noted “this conference represents the criticality of integration of FVEY and Japan into well planned and delivered Information Warfare tactics, training, and procedures to our maritime operations.”

Cmdr. S.D. Clifford, a Sailor of the Royal Navy commented on what was gained from attending the conference.

“It was a valuable opportunity to further the United Kingdom’s understanding of the region and the operations within the region,” said Clifford. “A fully rewarding event to continue to develop our enduring relationships with our allies and partners.”

U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region

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