For the first time in decades, three US aircraft carriers sailed in the Korean sea together in close formation, in a major show of gunboat diplomacy.
The USS Ronald Reagan, based in Japan; the USS Theodore Roosevelt, based in San Diego; and the USS Nimitz, based at Naval Base Kitsap at Bremerton, Washington, are all participating in the exercise.
Analysts on Fox news say that this is basically sending the message “if you’re gonna strike, we will win.” No military analyst can now see how the US would lose against the North Korean navy.
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Seven South Korean naval vessels also took part in the joint drill.
Commanding Officer Buzz Donnelly of the USS Ronald Reagan: “The significance of our combat power as an American super-carrier is our striking power through our mobile carrier airway, and we can sustain 24 hour operations for extended periods of time, and with more than one carrier participating, that length of time goes out indefinitely quite frankly when we get to three.”
The maneuvers are a potent reminder to Pyongyang of the US's ability to rapidly mobilize a military force.
Japan said o it would send one of its two helicopter carriers, the largest ships in its fleet, along with two warships to join the drill.
Aegis guided missile cruisers from the US and South Korea will also be present and are designed to defend the awe-inspiring carriers from enemy ships, submarines, aircraft and missiles.
Two nuclear-powered attack submarines, which are tasked with seeking out and destroying enemy submarines, will be included in the group as well as surface ships collecting intelligence.
Up in the air there will be carrier-based F18 Super Hornet jets capable of hitting the North Korean infrastructure and military targets. In total, the 100,000-tonne US carriers carry a combined force of some 200 aircraft, to which the troops of Kim Jung Un are no match.
Lastly, it is understood that several B-52 bombers will also take part in the war games.
A message from the South Korean defense ministry read: "The exercise is aimed at enhancing deterrence against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and showing off preparedness to fend off any provocative acts by the North."
Source:
http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-41968321/us-displays-military-might-near-korea
Doesn't the US have some nukes about to expire? Perfect timing for a hot disposal.
Do you know how much we are spending on storing all our chemical and biological weapons? I say we mix one big cocktail and git 'er done.
Let's just get this thing over with already. Where's the damned button? I'll press it right now.