U.S. 7th Fleet Hosts Japan, Republic of Korea Counterparts for Trilateral Discussions

22 February 2023

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan - Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet hosted a trilateral meeting with Fleet commanders from Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) and Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy on board USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Feb. 22.

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230222-N-GR847-2009 YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 22, 2023) Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, Commander, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Self-Defense Fleet, Vice Adm. SAITO Akira, and Republic of Korea Navy Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Kim Myung-soo, pose for a photo prior to conducting a tri-lateral meeting aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), Feb. 22. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Reymundo A. Villegas III)

Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander U.S. 7th Fleet, hosted the meeting with ROK Navy Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Kim Myung-soo, and Commander, JMSDF's Self Defense Fleet Vice Adm. SAITO Akira to strengthen information sharing in the maritime domain, promote security cooperation between countries in the region, and increase the effectiveness of tri-lateral operations.

230222-N-GR847-2031 YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 22, 2023) - Commander, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Self-Defense Fleet, Vice Adm. SAITO Akira, speaks during a tri-lateral meeting with Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, and Republic of Korea Navy Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Kim Myung-soo, aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), Feb. 22. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Reymundo A. Villegas III)

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 22, 2023) - Commander, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Self-Defense Fleet, Vice Adm. SAITO Akira, speaks during a tri-lateral meeting with Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, and Republic of Korea Navy Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Kim Myung-soo, aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), Feb. 22. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Reymundo A. Villegas III)

"This meeting underscores the importance of working together between our three navy teams and our shared mutual interests in the maritime commons,"; said Thomas. "The U.S. Navy operates routinely with both the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and Republic of Korea Navy to preserve security and prosperity in this vital region. Our ongoing dialogue and combined operations at sea are a strong testament of our will to stand against those who would try to thwart our shared values against unwanted aggression."

230222-N-GR847-3011 YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 22, 2023) - Commander, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Self-Defense Fleet, Vice Adm. SAITO Akira, departs U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) after conducting a tri-lateral meeting with Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, and Republic of Korea Navy Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Kim Myung-soo, Feb. 22. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Reymundo A. Villegas III)

230222-N-GR847-3006 YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 22, 2023) - Republic of Korea Navy Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Kim Myung-soo, departs U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) after conducting a tri-lateral meeting with Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, and Commander, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Self-Defense Fleet Vice Adm. SAITO Akira, Feb. 22. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Reymundo A. Villegas III)

230222-N-GR847-3019 YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 22, 2023) - Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, departs U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) after conducting a tri-lateral meeting with Commander, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Self-Defense Fleet, Vice Adm. SAITO Akira, and Republic of Korea Navy Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Kim Myung-soo, Feb. 22. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Reymundo A. Villegas III)

230222-N-GR847-2037 YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 22, 2023) - Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, speaks during a tri-lateral meeting with Commander, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Self-Defense Fleet, Vice Adm. SAITO Akira, and Republic of Korea Navy Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Kim Myung-soo, aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), Feb. 22. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Reymundo A. Villegas III)

7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.