U.S., Japan, and the Republic of Korea Conduct a Trilateral Ballistic Missile Defense Exercise

06 October 2022

From U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Public Affairs

Following the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) ballistic missile launch over Japan on Oct. 4 (local time), which was part of a larger series of launches over the past two weeks, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65), part of the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, conducted a trilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the waters between Korea and Japan, Oct. 6 (local time) alongside Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers JS Chokai (DDG 176) and JS Ashigara (DDG 178), and Republic of Korea Navy destroyer ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG 991).

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Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) along with Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) guided-missile destroyer JS Chokai (DDG 176) and Republic of Korea Navy guided-missile destroyer ROKS Sejong The Great (DDG 991) conduct a tri-lateral Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) exercise in the Sea of Japan, Oct. 6. Chancellorsville provided air defense to the units as they conducted the ballistic missile exercise, which includes, detecting, tracking, and intercepting simulated targets, as well as coordination, communication, and information-sharing between the three countries. Chancellorsville is operating as part of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, which is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest forward-deployed numbered fleet in the world and, with the help of 35 other maritime-nation allies and partners, the U.S. Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 70 years, providing credible, ready forces to help preserve peace and prevent conflict.

This exercise enhances the interoperability of our collective forces and demonstrates the strength of the trilateral relationship with our Japan and Republic of Korea (ROK) allies, which is forward-leaning, reflective of our shared values, and resolute against those who challenge regional stability.

Also this week, the United States conducted air exercises with our ROK and Japanese Allies, as well as a joint tactical missile live-fire exercise with the ROK.

The United States, Republic of Korea and Japan strongly condemns the DPRK’s launches, which violate numerous, unanimous mandates of the United Nations Security Council. We urge the DPRK to immediately cease actions that violate U.N. Security Council resolutions, escalate military tensions, destabilize the region, and endanger peace and security.

We remain committed to peace and prosperity through the region in order to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

221006-N-DW158-1038 WATERS BETWEEN KOREA AND JAPAN (Oct 6, 2022) Ships from the U.S., Japan and Republic of Korea conducted a trilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the waters between Korea and Japan, Oct. 6. The ships included Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) (not pictured), part of the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers JS Chokai (DDG 176) and JS Ashigara (DDG 178) (not pictured), and Republic of Korea Navy destroyer ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG 991) and demonstrated the strength of the trilateral relationship and the interoperability of U.S., Japanese and ROK collective forces. Chancellorsville provided air defense to the units as they conducted the ballistic missile exercise, which includes, detecting, tracking, and intercepting simulated targets, as well as coordination, communication, and information-sharing between the three countries. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gray Gibson)