Three-Carrier Strike Force Conducts Exercise in Western Pacific

A three-carrier naval force is finishing a multi-day exercise in the Western Pacific, demonstrating the Navy's unique capability to operate multiple carrier strike groups as a coordinated effort, according to Navy officials.

The USS Ronald Reagan, USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Nimitz Strike Groups transit the Western Pacific with ships from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Western Pacific, Nov. 12, 2017. The three aircraft carriers and their strike groups are conducting operations in international waters as part of a strike force exercise. The Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific region routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional security, stability and prosperity. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony J. Rivera

Transit Pacific

The USS Ronald Reagan, USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Nimitz Strike Groups transit the Western Pacific with ships from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Western Pacific, Nov. 12, 2017. The three aircraft carriers and their strike groups are conducting operations in international waters as part of a strike force exercise. The Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific region routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional security, stability and prosperity. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony J. Rivera

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Credit: Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony J. Rivera

VIRIN: 171112-N-XC372-2493

“The United States Navy is the only force in the world able to carry out such an exercise,” a Navy official told DoD News.

The exercise features the aircraft carriers USS Ronald Reagan, USS Nimitz, and USS Theodore Roosevelt and includes air defense drills, sea surveillance, replenishments at sea, defensive air combat training, close-in coordinated maneuvers and other training, Navy officials said.

Ships from Japan and South Korea joined the exercise, officials said.

Triple Aircraft Carrier Training

"It is a rare opportunity to train with two aircraft carriers together, and even rarer to be able to train with three," the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander, Navy Adm. Scott Swift, said in a U.S. 7th Fleet release.

"Multiple carrier strike force operations are very complex,” Swift said.

He added, “This exercise in the Western Pacific is a strong testament to the U.S. Pacific Fleet's unique ability and ironclad commitment to the continued security and stability of the region."

The exercise is the first time three carrier strike groups have operated together in the Western Pacific since exercises Valiant Shield 2006 and 2007 off the coast of Guam, according to Navy officials.

Officials point out Navy aircraft carriers more recently have conducted dual-carrier strike group operations in the Western Pacific including in the South China Sea, East China Sea and Philippine Sea.

These exercises typically happen when an aircraft carrier deployed to the 7th Fleet area of operations joins with the carrier based in Japan. In this instance, the Nimitz was finishing a deployment in the 5th Fleet area -- the Persian Gulf -- and the Roosevelt was relieving it. The Reagan -- homeported in Japan -- joined the other two carriers, which are based in the Western United States.

(Follow Lisa Ferdinando on Twitter: @FerdinandoDoD)