The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike group began its annual exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force on Monday.

The training event, known as AE16, involves sailors and units from both the United States and Japanese navies, and is designed to allow both forces to practice and evaluate coordination and tactics to improve combat readiness while building on bilateral relationships.

"The Annual Exercise underscores the strength of the close, long-standing relationship the United States has with Japan and the JMSDF," Rear Adm. John Alexander said in a statement. "This exercise demonstrates our continuing commitment to deepen our mutual support and friendship."

During the training, units will conduct maritime operations through the air, surface, and subsurface, honing warfare tactics for each platform. The U.S. Navy committed Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, in addition to guided-missile cruisers USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville, guided-missile destroyers USS Benfold and USS Mustin, and additional aircraft and strike crews.

"The U.S., Japan relationship remains the most important key to the security, stability, peace and prosperity of the Pacific region in the 21st century," Alexander added.

Planning for AE16 began in 2014. Since that time, the Japanese Self Defense Force has been through key policy changes as the legislature voted to allow the force to be used in overseas operations. In another step to make the military more active, the Japanese Ministry of Defense launched a defense procurement agency in September.

U.S. Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald patrols South China Sea
Washington (UPI) Nov 16, 2015 - The U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald completed its routine patrol in the South China Sea on Sunday.

Fitzgerald is the most recent vessel to conduct a patrol operation in the region, following U.S. B-52 bombers coming within 12 nautical miles of the disputed Spratly Isands on Friday, and guided missile destroyer USS Lassen also traveling within 12 nautical miles of Subi reef.

During the B-52 operation, Chinese ground control operators made contact with the pilots, telling them to change course. The pilots disregarded the ground controllers, and continued their mission observing the disputed territory.

"Fitzgerald's presence in the South China Sea reinforces the United States' commitment to peace and regional stability to our partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific," Fitzgerald's commanding officer Cmdr. Christopher England said in a statement.

Fitzgerald personnel reported no issues or hostile confrontations with Chinese officials, which maintain their territorial claim over the South China Sea. The crew made regular contact with the People's Liberation Army-navy Jiangkai II-class frigate Yuncheng. In addition to patrol operations, Fitzgerald also conducted live-fire exercises and damage control training. USS Fitzgerald sails under the command of the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet.

The Chinese government has come under criticism for using the region to construct artificial islands for military purposes. Despite the tensions, the patrol voyage comes as naval forces from both the United States and China continue to cooperate in joint naval exercises.