FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 29, 2017
Release #: XXX-2017
Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Completes Bilateral Exercise
Story by: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelsey L. Adams, Commander, CSG-1 Public Affairs
PACIFIC OCEAN—Carl Vinson Strike Group (CVNSG) and ships from the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy participated in a bilateral exercise March 16-24.
CVNSG and ROK Navy conducted visit, board, search and seizure drills, tactical maneuvering, flag hoisting drills, a photo exercise and air, surface and anti-submarine warfare training.
“The purpose of the exercise was to further our partnership with the ROK Navy in the execution of defense of the Republic of Korea,” said Capt. Warren Cupps, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1 deputy commander. “Carl Vinson played the role of the flagship and high value unit during the exercise and provided a majority of the combat strike power that carrier strike group employed during the exercise of the defense of the ROK.”
For the duration of the bilateral exercise, liaison officers were exchanged between CVNSG and ROK ships.
“The use of liaison officers on several of the ships contributed greatly to the communication, coordination and training of the bilateral force,” said Lt. Chris Verst, information warfare officer aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108).
Lt. Cmdr. Chris Peters, operations officer aboard Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) and liaison officer assigned to ROK Navy ship Wang Geon (DDH 978) said it was an excellent opportunity to experience life on a ROK Navy vessel.
“When I was there, I worked alongside sailors of the ROK Navy and was able to teach and observe how they conducted air defense operations and helped their ship integrate smoothly with CVNSG,” said Peters. “I’m so appreciative that I was given the opportunity to help the U.S. Navy strengthen our partnership and alliance with the ROK Navy and to get a glimpse into another Navy’s culture and way of life.”
The bilateral exercise was a success in many different aspects for both CVNSG and the ROK Navy.
“The purpose was to conduct coordinated bilateral operations with our ROK allies in the Korean theater of operations,” said Verst. “Carl Vinson Strike Group worked through several scenarios throughout the week and executed all training objectives with precision and efficiency.”
U.S. Navy assets participating in the exercise were the Carl Vinson, Lake Champlain, Wayne E. Meyer, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63), and the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Alexandria (SSN 757). Republic of Korea Navy assets participating were Gwanggaeto the Great class destroyer ROKS Gwanggaeto the Great (DDH 971), Chungmugong Yi Sun-shin class destroyer ROKS Wanggun (DDH 978),Incheon class frigate ROKS Gangwon (FFG 815), Pohang class corvette ROKS Won Ju (PCC 769) and Chang Bogo class submarine ROKS Lee Jong Mu (SSK 066).
“The bilateral exercise strengthened our overall partnership with ROK Navy and enhanced our efficiency as a carrier strike group,” said Verst. “The lessons we learned from one another will help shape the way our navies operate in future exercises and operations.”
CVNSG departed San Diego for a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific, Jan. 5. Carl Vinson, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 and embarked DESRON 1 deployed with Lake Champlain and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) and Wayne E. Meyer.
While deployed, CVNSG will remain under U.S. 3rd Fleet command and control, including beyond the international dateline which previously divided operational areas of responsibility for 3rd and 7th Fleets. Third Fleet operating forward offers additional options to the Pacific Fleet commander by leveraging the capabilities of 3rd and 7th Fleets.
CVNSG deployed with approximately 7,500 Sailors and will focus on maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. The strike group assets will conduct bilateral exercises in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to include anti-submarine warfare, maneuvering drills, gunnery exercises, and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) subject matter expert exchanges.
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-USN-