Republic of Korea, Japan, and the U.S. Conduct Trilateral Naval Exercise

20 March 2025

From U.S. INDOPACOM Public Affairs

250318-N-GC571-1009 AT SEA (March 18, 2025) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), left, sails in formation with the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), Sejong the Great-class destroyer ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG 991), Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer ROKS Dae Jo-yeong (DDH 977), and Murasame-class destroyer JS Ikazuchi (DD 107) at sea during a trilateral naval exercise, March 18, 2025. Trilateral exercises between the U.S. Navy, ROK Navy, and JMSDF continue to advance combined naval interoperability, ensure our militaries and self-defense forces can operate together against any threat, and demonstrate combined commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Pablo Chavez)

The U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) navies and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) conducted a trilateral naval exercise, 17-20 March, 2025.

Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), UNIT/s, ROK UNIT/s, JMSDF UNIT/s participated in the multi-day, trilateral exercise, advancing interoperability and readiness across multiple warfare areas.

The multi-domain exercise included group sails, advanced maritime communications, maritime interdiction operations training, air combat drills, staff exchanges and other integration, and serves to further strengthen the combined capabilities of the participating navies. Enhancing trilateral security cooperation with the ROKN and JMSDF ensures our militaries and self-defense forces can operate together against any threat.

This builds upon the regular, increasingly complex trilateral cooperation of the three nations, including the January 2025 trilateral bomber escort flights, as the three nations continue integration across the Joint Force. The last trilateral naval exercise between the U.S., ROK and Japan was conducted in November 2024 during the second iteration of Freedom Edge.

This current activity builds on previous exercises like Freedom Edge and our continuing operations together, advancing doctrine as well as tactics, techniques and procedures among our combined forces.

Trilateral naval exercises are conducted in a manner that is consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other states.