Japan, Republic of Korea, U.S. Navies Partner in Trilateral Maritime Exercise

17 January 2024

From Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Cole C. Pielop

U.S. Navy’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, led by its flagship, Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), conducted a trilateral maritime exercise, demonstrating their commitment to bolstering regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, Jan. 16.

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The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), the Sejong the Great-class guided-missile destroyer ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG-991) from the Republic of Korea Navy, the Kongo-class guided-missile destroyer JS Kongo (DDG-173) from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, sail together during a trilateral exercise, Jan. 16. The exercise allowed maritime forces from Japan, Republic of Korea, and U.S. to train together to enhance coordination on maritime domain awareness and other shared security interests. Vinson, flagship of Carrier Strike Group ONE, is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Isaiah B. Goessl)

Participating ships include USS Carl Vinson, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Sterett (DDG 104); Hyuga-class helicopter destroyers JS Hyuga (DDH-181), Kongo-class guided missile destroyer JS Kongo (DDG-173) of the JMSDF; guided missile destroyer ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG-991) and ROKS Wang Geon (DDH-978) of the ROKN.

During the three-day event, the three maritime forces sailed together, conducted advanced maritime communication operations, maritime interdiction operations training, air combat drills, staff exchanges and integration. The allied forces last trained together in Nov. 2023.

"Our strike group welcomes the opportunity to train again and further build on our capabilities as a combined force with maritime forces from Japan and the Republic of Korea," said Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, CSG-1 commander. "Sailing and flying together safely alongside our allies demonstrates our commitment to improving information sharing and working together effectively, to enhance our ability to coordinate on maritime domain awareness and other shared security interests."

The U.S. military regularly conducts exercises like these to strengthen ties among allied and partner countries. These exercises enhance combined readiness and capabilities and support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Ships from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force , Republic of Korea Navy, and U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, sail together during a trilateral exercise, Jan. 16. The exercise allowed maritime forces from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the U.S. to train together to enhance coordination on maritime domain awareness and other shared security interests. CSG-1 is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Isaiah M. Williams)

This year marks the 71st anniversary of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Mutual Defense Treaty of 1953, and over 70 years of partnership with Japan since the 1951 Security Treaty between the U.S. and Japan.

The strike group departed San Diego on Oct. 12 for a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific. Since entering the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, CSG-1 participated in the Multi-Large Deck Event and Annual Exercise 2023 in the Philippine Sea. These exercises provided opportunities to collaborate with allied forces such as the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and JMSDF to further strengthen regional cooperative efforts.

CSG-1 is a multiplatform team of ships and aircraft, capable of carrying out a wide variety of missions around the globe from combat missions to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief response. CSG-1 is currently deployed to U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

U.S. 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.

For more news from CSG 1, visit http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CSG1