Trump shows North Korea USA's awesome sea power in debut naval drill with South Korea
USS Ronald Reagan, USS Nimitz and USS Theodore Roosevelt have entered the four-day exercise alongside the South Korean Navy. It is the first time the two countries have conducted joint naval manoeuvres.
The drills involves 21 vessels – including 14 from the US and seven from South Korea, with the latter equipped with the Aegis Combat System which allows them to track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets.
It comes in response to a series of nuclear and missile threats from North Korea and is designed to show tyrannical leader Kim Jong-un that any further threats will be repelled with overwhelming force.
In a statement, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said: "The US Navy mobilised three aircraft carriers and 11 Aegis destroyers, while the Republic of Korea Navy mobilised seven warships including two Aegis destroyers." The drills, which will continue until tomorrow, allow South Korean and US forces to practice air operations, air artillery strikes and aircraft carrier escorts.
And they are also a display of the astonishing sea power at US President Donald Trump's disposal should Kim Jong-un carry out his World War 3 threats.
Announcing plans for the exercises last week, US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift said: It is a rare opportunity to train with two aircraft carriers together, and even rarer to be able to train with three.
Multiple carrier strike force operations are very complex, and this exercise in the Western Pacific is a strong testament to the US Pacific Fleets unique ability and ironclad commitment to the continued security and stability of the region. The major exercise will be the first time the three carriers have operated together in the Western Pacific since 2006 and 2007, when they carried out drills off the coast of Guam. .
Mr Trump warned Kim Jong-un "the weapons you are acquiring are not making you safer, they are putting your regime in grave danger".
According to reports, he may board one of the carriers in person to demonstrate the US firepower and its commitment to regional security.
He threatened to "destroy" the reclusive nation and has used his tour to continue to mount pressure on Kim to halt his nuclear ambitions.
But Mr Trump also hinted he would be willing to start negotiations with North Korea in order to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
No comments:
Post a Comment