Unprecedented Release of Joint Training Video Involving US Aircraft Carrier Deployment

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu] The United States has released footage of helicopters landing and taking off on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), which is currently conducting the ROK-US combined maritime exercise. Following the embarkation of ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Kim Seung-gyeom and ROK-US Combined Forces Command Commander Paul LaCamera on the aircraft carrier the previous day, this is interpreted as a strong warning message to North Korea.

Photos and videos released on the U.S. Department of Defense website on the 28th show flight operations, helicopter landings and takeoffs, and underway replenishment aboard the Ronald Reagan. The exercise took place over two days, from the 26th to the 27th.

The released footage shows CH-47F Chinook helicopters from the U.S. Army’s 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade flying over the East Sea and precisely landing on the Ronald Reagan’s flight deck. The video indicates the exercise location and time as "East Sea, some maritime area, 1 PM," and includes the explanation, "Landing is fast and dangerous. Everything is conducted via hand signals on board." It concludes with the subtitle "KATCHI KAPSHIDA! (Let’s go together!)," a symbol of the ROK-US alliance.

Additionally, footage was released showing the logistics support ship USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) conducting underway replenishment for the Ronald Reagan, as well as crew members preparing aircraft for takeoff during flight training.

The 103,000-ton Ronald Reagan, commissioned in 2003, carries about 90 aircraft including F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters, E-2D Hawkeye early warning aircraft, and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare planes, with approximately 5,000 crew members on board, earning it the nickname "floating military base." The combined maritime exercise, conducted over four days starting on the 26th, involved more than 20 ROK-US naval vessels including the Ronald Reagan and nuclear submarines. The total number of aircraft involved exceeded 110 from both countries.

The exercise includes various maritime training such as Maritime Special Operations Forces (MCSOF), anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and tactical maneuver training.