fˈɑːloʊɪŋ ɐ dˌɛmənstɹˈeɪʃən ʌvðə vˌiːdˌiːˈɛs fɚðə sˈɛkənd ˌɪntɚɹɐmˈɛɹɪkən nˈeɪvəl kˈɑːnfɹəns æt kˈiː wˈɛst ɪn lˈeɪt mˈeɪ, dʒˈɑːn wˈɪlɪs dʒˈɔɪnd ðɪ ɐtlˈæntɪk flˈiːt fɔːɹ fˈoːɹ mˈʌnθs ʌv ɐmˈɛɹɪkən ænd nˈeɪɾoʊ ˌɑːpɚɹˈeɪʃənz "sˈiː spɹˈeɪ" ænd "sˈoːɹd θɹˈʌst," ɪnðə nˈɔːɹθ ɐtlˈæntɪk.
Following a demonstration of the VDS for the Second Inter-American Naval Conference at Key West in late May, John Willis joined the Atlantic Fleet for four months of American and NATO Operations "Sea Spray" and "Sword Thrust," in the North Atlantic.