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US, Japan Naval Forces Conduct Military Exercise

by VOA News

   The U.S. and Japanese naval forces will hold bilateral training
   exercise for 10 days, starting Thursday.

   More than 14,000 U.S. personnel will participate in the drills and will
   include the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and the guided-missile
   destroyers USS Stethem, USS Chafee, USS Mustin and a maritime patrol
   and reconnaissance squadron.

   The exercise is designed to increase the defensive readiness and
   interoperability of Japanese and American forces through training in
   air and sea operations. The training will take place in the waters
   surrounding Okinawa.

   The exercise follows joint naval exercises in the Western Pacific
   involving U.S. South Korean naval forces.

   Three U.S. aircraft carriers also participated in separate exercises
   Sunday with Japan's largest warship. Japan also dispatched one of its
   two large helicopter carriers and two escorts to participate in the
   drills in the Sea of Japan and East China Sea.

   The display of military force is meant to pressure North Korea and send
   a strong signal to Pyongyang of U.S. ability to rapidly mobilize a
   potent military force.