WATERS EAST OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA, Republic of Korea (NNS) – The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) began a series of exercises in the East Sea with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy, 26-29. September to strengthen maritime interoperability and tactics, techniques and procedures.
The U.S. routinely conducts CSG operations in the waters around the Republic of Korea to exercise maritime maneuvers, strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance, and improve regional security. U.S. Navy units participating in this Maritime Counter-Special Operations Exercise (MCSOFEX) are the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Five, USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Benfold (DDG 65) and personnel from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Five.
“Our combined ROK-US naval force demonstrates its strength and resolve by conducting this exercise together to build our combat readiness,” said Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70/CSG 5. “The Republic of Korea and the United States share one of the strongest alliances in the world, and we grow stronger as an alliance because of our routine exercises here in South Korea and the near the relationship and the bonds we make from operating at sea together.”
The exercises are of a defensive nature and consist of routine bilateral training, exchange of subject experts, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare exercises, communication exercises, air defense exercises, boarding exercises and combined live fire, as well as formation sailing. Additional US Navy commands participating included Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72 and Commander, Task Force (CTF) 74. From the US Army, the 2nd Combat Air Brigade and the US Air Force’s 7th Air Force joined forces with units from the US Special Operations Command Korea for the exercises.
