Japan Maritime Self Defense Force destroyer JS Kurama (DDH-144) leads the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62), flying its battle flag, and Indian navy guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvir (D54) while underway in formation during Exercise Malabar 2009. The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and the U.S. Navy were participating in Exercise Malabar in 2009, an annual exercise led by the Indian navy.