[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] US Aircraft Carrier Coming to Busan

Nimitz Arrives on the 28th for Joint Exercises with Our Navy

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), known as a "floating military base" among U.S. strategic assets, will enter Busan Naval Base on the 28th. This visit marks the first time in six months that a U.S. aircraft carrier has visited South Korea, following the arrival of the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76, 103,000 tons) and the U.S. 5th Carrier Strike Group at Busan Naval Base on September 22 last year.

F-35C landing on the US aircraft carrier Nimitz

On the 27th, the Ministry of National Defense announced that the U.S. 11th Carrier Strike Group, including the USS Nimitz, will enter Busan Naval Base to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, aiming to promote friendly cooperation and strengthen joint defense posture.

The USS Nimitz is named after Admiral Chester Nimitz, who was the Pacific Fleet Commander during World War II and the 10th Chief of Naval Operations of the U.S. Navy. The U.S. 11th Carrier Strike Group consists of the USS Nimitz, the Aegis cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), the Aegis destroyers USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) and USS Decatur (DDG-73). Prior to entering Busan, the strike group will conduct training on the open sea south of Jeju Island alongside the Republic of Korea Navy’s Aegis destroyer ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG-991) and the Korean-type destroyer ROKS Choi Young (DDH-981).

This training is part of the joint live-fire exercise (FTX) called "Warrior Shield" (WS), which began with the South Korea-U.S. joint exercise "Freedom Shield" (FS). The exercise will take the form of joint maritime training including carrier escort drills and air defense warfare. It is expected to send a strong message warning against North Korean provocations and deterring further provocations.

The Ministry of National Defense stated that this visit is in line with the agreements reached through the 54th South Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) on November 3 last year, the South Korea-U.S. Defense Ministers’ Meeting on January 31 this year, and the South Korea-U.S. Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation (DSC TTX) held on the 22nd of last month. It aims to implement the "timely and coordinated deployment of U.S. strategic assets" and the "commitment to operationalize extended deterrence."

Rear Admiral Christopher Sweeney, commander of the 11th Carrier Strike Group, said, "The visit of the carrier strike group is a prime example of the ongoing cooperation between the United States and South Korea and demonstrates our strong support for South Korea." He added, "As allies, our goal is to move forward into the future, responding to new challenges and threats to ensure the security of future generations of both countries."

Lieutenant General Kim Myung-soo, Commander of the Republic of Korea Navy Operations Command, said that the visit of the carrier strike group "demonstrates the U.S. extended deterrence capability in action, showing North Korea the overwhelming capability and posture of the alliance, and presenting a robust South Korea-U.S. joint defense posture to our citizens and the international community."

During their port call at Busan Naval Base, the U.S. 11th Carrier Strike Group will conduct goodwill exchange activities and volunteer work at social welfare facilities to promote friendship between the two countries in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the South Korea-U.S. alliance. They also plan to support public tours of the U.S. carrier strike group vessels. The personnel of the 11th Carrier Strike Group will pay respects at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, visit the Joint Security Area (JSA), and commemorate the fallen soldiers of the Korean War while observing the security situation on the Korean Peninsula firsthand at the frontline.