South Korea, US Hold Joint drills in east, Yellow Seas

The South Korean Navy says it has begun a four-day joint exercise with the U.S. Navy from Tuesday in the East and Yellow Seas, as part of the ongoing Foal Eagle drills.

    Some 50 naval vessels and submarines and Army, Navy and Air Force aircraft from both countries are taking part in the maritime exercise held to strengthen readiness against North Korean threats, Korea's (KBS WORLD) radio reported.

    The exercise will include drills involving special maritime counter operations, anti-submarine warfare, carrier striking forces and live-fire drills on, under and above the sea. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis has also been mobilized in the East Sea to take part in escort, interception and antiair warfare drills. 

    The two sides carried out a four-day joint exercise last week in the South Sea with focus on maritime traffic protection. A total of 13 vessels and seaborne aircraft joined the training including the US guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay, the US P-3 and P-8 patrol planes and South Korea's frigate, Jeonbuk. 

    From later this month, the South Korean and US Navies will conduct another set of drills until early April in waters near the southern port of Jinhae aimed at bolstering combined capabilities to deal with sea mine warfare and rescue operations.

Source: QNA