US, S’ Korea hold joint military drill off Korean Peninsula
North Korea’s missile launches Monday did not deter joint military exercises in the region. The US and South Korea paired up in waters near the Korean Peninsula.
The drill was held off the South Korean island of Jeju. Fighter jet pilots practiced taking off from and landing on the USS Nimitz.
Crews also confirmed protocols for guarding the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. It’s set to dock in South Korea Tuesday.
The commander of the US carrier strike group says the ship gathers information on the area from under the sea to outer space and shares it with allies.
Carrier Strike Group 11 Commander, Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney, said, “I feel pretty confident in our capability to operate in the sea in any given time and in any place.”
The drill was held days after the two countries wrapped up their first major spring field exercise in five years.
Pyongyang has accused Seoul and Washington of holding a war game for an invasion. It’s continuing to pursue its missile development program, firing two short-range ballistic missiles in the morning eastward into the sea.
