170715-N-BY095-0139 BAY OF BENGAL (July 15, 2017) The Takanami-class destroyer JS Sazanami (DDG 113) and the Blackwood-class frigate INS Kirpan (P 44) transit the Bay of Bengal during Malabar 2017. Malabar 2017 is the latest in a continuing series of exercises between the Indian navy, Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and U.S. Navy that has grown in scope and complexity over the years to address the variety of shared threats to maritime security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Maria I. Alvarez/Released)