November 9, 2024

Naval Defense Exercises Following North Korea Missile Launches

221005-N-JO823-2110 SEA OF JAPAN (Oct. 5, 2022) Ensign Terrance Wever, from Summerville, South Carolina, signals to an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the Dambusters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in the Sea of Japan, Oct. 5. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Natasha ChevalierLosada)

The U.S. urges North Korea to cease this type of provocative action, after de country conducted another ballistic missile test. North Korea launched two short-range missiles, and fired a ballistic missile over Japan two daus before. Such actions escalate military tensions, destabilize the region and harm efforts at peace and security.

In response to this provocation, the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, joined by two Japanese navy destroyers and one South Korean destroyer, arrived yesterday in the Sea of Japan to conduct trilateral ballistic missile defense exercises, Ryder said.

“The United States strongly condemns this irresponsible act, which violates numerous U.N. Security Council mandates,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, who held a press briefing today.

SEA OF JAPAN (Oct 6, 2022) Ships from the U.S., Japan and Republic of Korea conducted a trilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the Sea of Japan, Oct. 6.

“These exercises send a clear message of allied unity between our nations and enhance the interoperability of our collective forces,” he said.

“The exercises also demonstrate the deep strength of our trilateral relationship with Japan and the Republic of Korea, which is resolute against those who challenge regional stability,”.

“Moving forward, we will continue to consult closely with our allies and partners and stand ready to respond appropriately to any potential future provocative acts by North Korea. As always, we remain committed to preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific and peace and stability throughout the region,” Ryder added.

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder conducts a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Oct. 6, 2022. (DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jack Sanders)

In other news, Ryder said that after 18 months of thorough work, to include consultations with subject matter, historians and affected installation communities, the Naming Commission completed its analysis and provided Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III with its final report.

After reviewing the report, Austin concurred with all the commission’s recommendations, and is committed to implementing them as soon as possible.

Austin directed Defense Department and services leaders to begin implementation immediately following the National Defense Authorization Act’s mandated 90-day waiting period.

Austin is grateful for the work of the commission and thanked them for their dedicated efforts and recommendations “that will give proud new names that are rooted in their local communities, and that honor American heroes whose valor, courage and patriotism, exemplify the very best of the U.S. military,” he added.

SEA OF JAPAN (Oct 6, 2022) Ships from the U.S., Japan and Republic of Korea conducted a trilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the Sea of Japan, Oct. 6. 

Separately, Ryder congratulated Marine Corps Col. Nicole Aunapu Mann, who made history as one of a four-member astronaut crew to blast off from Florida yesterday, bound for the International Space Station. Mann, 45, is the first Native American woman to launch into space.