Once Again, ROK-US Joint Exercises in the East Sea... Reagan Aircraft Carrier Escort Operation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The Republic of Korea and the United States are commencing a joint maritime maneuver exercise with the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan (CVN-76, 103,000 tons). Extending the training schedule of the U.S. aircraft carrier, which operates according to an annual plan, is interpreted as a heightened response level to recent provocations by North Korea.

On the 7th, the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that from the 7th to the 8th, the ROK and U.S. will conduct a joint maritime maneuver exercise in international waters of the East Sea to enhance combined defense capabilities.

This exercise involves the ROK Navy’s destroyer Munmu the Great and frigate Donghae. The U.S. Navy is participating with the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan, Aegis cruiser USS Chancellorsville, and Aegis destroyers USS Benfold and USS Barry. The two navies will conduct combined training including tactical maneuvers in the East Sea and jointly carry out an escort operation for the Ronald Reagan to the southeast of Jeju Island.

Recently, the ROK, U.S., and Japan conducted a joint anti-submarine exercise to counter North Korea’s submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), and on the 6th, a joint exercise took place in international waters of the East Sea involving the Ronald Reagan and others.

The Joint Chiefs emphasized, "Through joint exercises with the U.S. Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, redeployed to the Korean Peninsula as part of measures to strengthen the U.S. extended deterrence execution capability, we will continuously enhance our firm operational capability and posture to respond to any provocations by North Korea."