time a Japanese ship was selected to launch the interceptor missile during a test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. In previous tests they provided tracking and communications. In 2012, Kongō, along with Chōkai and Myōkō were deployed in cooperation with the US Navy in preparation for the Democratic Republic of Korea to test the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2. However, the ships were withdrawn after the satellite did not violate Japanese airspace. In April 2013 she was again sortied in response to the launching of a North Korean missile launch, returning to Sasebo on 30 June. As of April 2020, Kongō is based in Sasebo, Nagasaki. Gallery References External links GlobalSecurity.org; JMSDF DDG Kongo Class MaritimeQuest photo gallery: Kongo Kongō-class destroyers 1991 ships Kongō