On Friday, April 11th, 2025, YCAPS Treasurer, LT Will Yale helped accept a Letter of Appreciation awarded to Commander, Amphibious Squadron 11 (CPR-11) by the U.S. - Japan Navy Friendship Association (JANAFA). JANAFA awards Letters of Appreciation annually to U.S. and Japanese commands who have promoted friendship and mutual understanding between the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
CPR-11 and their JMSDF counterpart, Commander, Escort Flotilla 2 (CCF2) were recognized for their contribution to and support of the Junior Officer Friendship Association (JOFA) in Sasebo. In 2023, LT Yale and several others created JOFA, an organization of U.S. and Japanese junior officers dedicated to professional development and social comradery, and which aims to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance at the grassroots level. JOFA became an officially-sponsored program of CPR-11 and CCF2 in 2024.
CPR-11 is responsible for the command, support, and readiness of the America Amphibious Readiness Group, and serves as the unifying force behind four forward-deployed amphibious ships: USS America (LHA 6), USS San Diego (LPD 22), USS New Orleans (LPD 18), and USS Rushmore (LSD 47)..