Framed within routine exercises to strengthen interoperability, the U.S. Navy’s USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) Carrier Strike Group led a series of naval activities with the participation of the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in the East China Sea. This marks the first time this year that the three countries have conducted such an exercise.
From March 17 to 20, naval units from the three nations took part in drills aimed at enhancing combined capabilities and readiness across multiple combat areas. These activities included formation sailing, advanced maritime communication exercises, maritime interdiction operations training, air combat drills, personnel exchanges among the forces, and other integration maneuvers.
Additionally, these multinational combined activities follow a January escort mission of B-1B bombers flying in formation with Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-2 fighters and Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-15Ks. The last trilateral naval exercise between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan took place in November 2024, during the second edition of Freedom Edge.
Regarding the mentioned naval drill, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force participated with the destroyer JS Ikazuchi (DD-107), while South Korea deployed the destroyers ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG-991) and ROKS Dae Joyeong (DDH-977). The U.S. Navy, leading the Carrier Strike Group with USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), was accompanied by USS Princeton (CG-59) and the destroyers USS Sterett (DDG-104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110). Additionally, Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2), part of this strike group, consists of nine squadrons operating the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, CMV-22 Osprey, and MH-60R/S Seahawks.
Continuing with USS Carl Vinson’s operations and considering that its area of responsibility falls under the U.S. Seventh Fleet in the Pacific, official sources confirm that the Carrier Strike Group arrived in Guam on March 24 for a logistical stop. This U.S. Indo-Pacific outpost plays a critical role in naval logistics, providing essential support functions for Navy vessels.
However, satellite imagery confirmed yesterday that the nuclear-powered carrier has been redeployed to the Middle East, reinforcing the U.S. naval presence in the region and emphasizing deterrence against emerging threats, such as the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
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