Saturday, April 8, 2017

U.S. Carrier strike group heads toward Korean Peninsula



170309-N-BL637-513 
EAST CHINA SEA (March 9, 2017) The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), background, transits the East China Sea with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer JS Samidare (DD 106). The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is on a western Pacific deployment as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sean M. Castellano/Released)
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Carrier strike group heads toward Korean Peninsula

US aircraft carrier-led strike group headed toward Korean Peninsula

Story highlights

  • The move is in response to recent North Korean provocations, a US official says
  • Earlier this week, North Korea launched a Scud extended-range missile, which US officials say exploded in flight
(CNN)A US aircraft carrier-led strike group is headed toward the Western Pacific Ocean near the Korean Peninsula, a US defense official confirmed to CNN.
Adm. Harry Harris, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, directed the USS Carl Vinson strike group to sail north to the Western Pacific after departing Singapore on Saturday, Pacific Command announced.
The move of the Vinson strike group is in response to recent North Korean provocations, the official said.
It is not uncommon for aircraft carriers to operate in that area, and the United States regularly deploys military assets, such as aircraft, to the region as a show of force. In fact, the Vinson was in South Korea last month for military exercises.
Earlier this week, North Korea launched a Scud extended-range missile, which US officials said exploded in flight. The regime also has recently conducted several missile engine tests as it works to improve its ballistic missile technology.
The Vinson strike group will operate in the Western Pacific rather than executing previously planned port visits to Australia, Pacific Command said. The group will remain under the operational control of the Third Fleet.
Reuters first reported the move of the group.

 

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