This week, significant joint military exercises took place in the Japan Sea involving the United States Navy and the South Korean Navy, featuring the American nuclear aircraft carrier «USS George Washington». According to Yonhap news agency, the drills occurred from Tuesday to Friday and included over ten combat ships and maritime patrol aircraft from allied forces.
The US contingent also comprised the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls and destroyers USS Milius and USS Shoup, equipped with the Aegis missile defense system.
South Korea dispatched destroyers ROKS Yulgok Yi I and ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong, which are also armed with Aegis defense systems.
During the four-day maneuvers, crews of the allied combat vessels and aviation conducted practical training in anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and maritime logistics.
The South Korean Navy command stated that the primary goal of these exercises was to strengthen collective deterrence against North Korea and enhance operational interoperability between the naval forces of South Korea and the United States based on their steadfast defense alliance.