MSDF Plans Joint Drill with USS Ronald Reagan

Tokyo, May 31 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force plans to conduct soon a joint drill with the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, Japanese government sources said Wednesday. The envisaged drill, to be joined probably by two or more MSDF destroyers, is aimed at strengthening pressure on North Korea, which has been continuously conducting provocations such as test firing of ballistic and other missiles. The Ronald Reagan will reportedly have exercises jointly with the USS Carl Vinson, another atomic-powered airplane carrier of the U.S. Navy, in the Sea of Japan shortly. There is a possibility of the MSDF conducting drills with the two flat tops, the sources said, adding that the Japanese and U.S. vessels are expected to carry out tactical exercises to confirm their formations and drills to ensure their smooth communications. After the completion of scheduled inspections and repair work, the Ronald Reagan left the Yokosuka naval base, south of Tokyo, on May 16. The ship is believed to replace the Carl Vinson, which is currently tasked with monitoring North Korea, after their joint drills. On April 23-29, two MSDF destroyers, including an Aegis ship, conducted a joint exercise in the Sea of Japan with the Carl Vinson, which was on its way to waters near the Korean Peninsula. END