[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Carrier-based Aircraft Launch in 5 Seconds... Aboard the US Aircraft Carrier Nimitz, the 'Floating Base'

70 Combat Aircraft on Deck of Nimitz
FA-18 Fighter Jets Featured in Movie 'Top Gun' Standby

On the 27th, when North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) conducted joint maritime exercises with South Korea in international waters south of Jeju Island.

On the 28th, the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Nimitz (CVN-68) docked at the Busan operational base. The U.S. 11th Carrier Strike Group, including the Nimitz, conducted joint naval exercises with the navy in international waters south of Jeju the previous day. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Christopher Swiny (Major General), commander of the US 11th Carrier Strike Group including the "floating military base" USS Nimitz, vowed to strengthen the combined defense posture of South Korea and the US by carrying out operations and training undeterred by North Korean provocations.

The media covering the joint exercises with the USS Nimitz boarded a US military C-2 Greyhound transport plane at the Air Force 5th Air Mobility Wing near Gimhae Airport that morning and headed toward the Nimitz at sea. After nearly an hour of flight, approaching the Nimitz, the aircraft experienced strong turbulence due to maneuvers around the carrier, and during an unannounced landing, the impact with a "bang" caused the body to be pressed against the back of the seat, which was positioned in the opposite direction. This was due to the carrier landing method designed to reduce speed by hooking the aircraft's "arresting hook" under the plane onto the carrier's "arresting wire." On the flight deck, aircraft were launched in about five seconds using the "catapult," a device that shoots carrier-based aircraft off the deck.

Commander Swiny explained that about 70 combat aircraft were aboard the USS Nimitz. The carrier was filled with F/A-18 fighter jets featured in the Tom Cruise movie "Top Gun," EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, E-2 Hawkeye early warning and control planes, as well as helicopter squadrons conducting anti-submarine warfare.

Swiny emphasized, "The carrier strike group operates with complete power covering all domains from space to underwater every time it sails," adding, "We are always ready."

While the press corps was aboard the carrier, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Seung-gyeom boarded the USS Nimitz via a South Korean Navy UH-60 helicopter. His boarding was announced over the ship's broadcast system, reminding everyone that the "South Korea-US joint" exercises were underway. Chairman Kim led the joint exercises on the carrier, stating that the South Korea-US alliance will respond decisively and overwhelmingly to any provocations or invasions by adversaries, and will firmly imprint the message that "any attempt at a nuclear attack by the enemy will mean the end of their regime."

Regarding North Korea's SRBM launch that morning, Commander Swiny said, "I will not specify exact capabilities, but from the USS Nimitz, we can command, control, and gather information across all domains from space to underwater," expressing confidence in their response. He added, "We do not like being coerced, and no one likes being harassed. We will operate and fly wherever international waters permit," emphasizing that they are not shaken by North Korean threats. He further stated, "We have numerous forces and share various information with South Korea, so we are not worried about North Korea," adding, "As a commander, I only think about safely bringing my crew home."

US aircraft carriers like the USS Nimitz operate air power comparable to the entire air force of many countries, so when deployed to the Korean Peninsula, China, which is engaged in a standoff with the US over Taiwan in the nearby South China Sea, naturally becomes alert.

However, Captain Swiny said, "I can say there is no conflict in the South China Sea," adding, "There is only some coercion and harassment, which is something kindergarteners would do," bluntly stating. The USS Nimitz, which disclosed the exercises that day, is scheduled to enter the Busan operational base on the 28th and hold a joint press conference with South Korea.