The United States of America has set out to show that it is not messing around, as three U.S carrier strike groups will conduct a rare four-day exercise in the Western Pacific on Saturday.
The move seems to come at a strategic time with President Donald Trump currently touring Asia, convening with South Korean officials in the region.
The Korea Joongang Daily reported a statement from the U.S. 7th Fleet that the USS Ronald Reagan, USS Nimitz, and the USS Theodore Roosevelt, along with their accompanying warships, will conduct “coordinated operations to demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s unique capability to operate multiple carrier strike groups as a coordinate strike force effort.”
If this doesn’t get your red-blooded American heart pumping, then I don’t know what will.
CNN reports that the mock battle drill may be seen as a provocation by the North Koreans, although President Trump has stated multiple times that the military option would be the last line of defense against the aggressive North Korean regime.
Military officials, such as U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Scott Swift, believes that the drills may act as an effective deterrent for North Korea. He stated:
Multiple carrier strike force operations are very complex, and this exercise in the Western Pacific is a strong testament to the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s unique ability and ironclad commitment to the continued security and stability of the region.
South Korean military officials also see the demonstration as a strong message to the North, stating that the coordinated operations would “give a taste” of American military might.
Fox News reported Gen. Joseph Dunford going on the record in October, disclosing that the coordinated operation of the three carriers was not meant to target North Korea, but was “a routine demonstration of our commitment to the region.”
That’s one heavy powered commitment.
USA!
(Cover Photo: US Navy)