Tugboats manoeuvre the US Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in Busan, South Korea. Credit: US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leon Wong.

The US and South Korean (ROK) naval forces have begun a joint maritime counter-special operations exercise (MCSOFEX) in the East Sea.

The launch of this exercise comes a day after North Korea (DPRK) launched a short-range ballistic missile on the east coast of the Korean Peninsula region.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

The DPRK’s move was reportedly in response to US Vice-President Kamala Harris’ upcoming scheduled visit to South Korea and Japan.

Being held for the first time in five years, MCSOFEX aims to bolster maritime interoperability, techniques and tactics between the US and ROK.

The five-day long joint exercise is due to run until 29 September.

The exercise will be conducted by the US Navy’s Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which arrived in Busan last week.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Its primary focus is to strengthen the two nations’ bilateral alliance and enhance regional security by undertaking several maritime manoeuvres.

According to the US Indo-Pacific Command, the latest drills will be defensive in nature and are being held as part of the CSG’s routine operations. 

In addition, the forces will perform anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare missions, subject matter expert exchanges, boarding drills, live fires and air defence exercises.

Task Force (CTF) 70/CSG V commander rear admiral Michael Donnelly said: “Our combined ROK-US naval force is demonstrating its strength and resolve by conducting this exercise together to build our combat readiness.

“The Republic of Korea and the US 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 close relationship and ties that we forge from operating at sea together.”

Participating assets from the US Navy include the Nimitz-class USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) aircraft carrier and the USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser.

The US has also deployed two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Benfold (DDG 65), for the exercise.