Aviation Warfare Systems Operator - Malabar 07 Naval Exercise

BAY OF BENGAL (Sept. 5, 2007) - Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class Christopher Bast, from Temecula, Calif., watches as ships from India, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and the United States join for a group photograph in the Bay of Bengal during Exercise Malabar 07-2. Aircraft carriers USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68) are taking part in the exercise with Indian Navy aircraft carrier INS Viraat (R 22). In addition to the three aircraft carriers, other ships taking part in the exercise are: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers JS Yuudachi (DD 103) and JS Oonami (DD 111), Republic of Singapore Navy frigate RSS Formidable (68), Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Adelaide (FFG 01), Indian Navy destroyers INS Ranvijay (D 55) and INS Ranjit (D 53), Indian Navy frigate INS Brahmaputra (F 31), guided-missile destroyers USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) and USS Higgins (DDG 76), and attack submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jarod Hodge