South Korea, US, and Japan Begin 'Freedom Edge' Exercise Today... US Aircraft Carrier to Sit Out Again This Year

South Korea, the United States, and Japan will conduct their regular multi-domain exercise, 'Freedom Edge', in the eastern and southern international waters off Jeju Island from September 7 for five days.

On November 14, 2024, the US aircraft carrier USS George Washington conducted the trilateral multi-domain exercise Freedom Edge 24-2 with South Korea and Japan in the southern waters off Jeju Island. The Asia Business Daily

The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on this day that the three nations will hold the 'Freedom Edge 2026' exercise through September 11. The Joint Chiefs explained that this exercise is an annual defensive drill aimed at enhancing deterrence and response capabilities against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, as well as safeguarding peace and stability in the region.

The exercise will involve six warships, including Aegis destroyers from all three countries, along with major maritime and air assets such as maritime patrol aircraft, fighter jets, and aerial refueling tankers. The three governments will jointly operate a command group to oversee the training. The aim is to strengthen operational capabilities and joint response across diverse domains, including maritime, air, and cyber operations.

The US Navy aircraft carrier will, as was the case last year, not participate in this year's exercise. The United States has redeployed the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, previously stationed in Japan, to the Middle East amid the ongoing protracted war involving Iran. According to the Joint Staff Office of Japan's Ministry of Defense, Japan is sending the Aegis destroyer Atago, the destroyer Asahi, P-1 patrol aircraft, SH-60K helicopters, and F-15 and F-2 fighter jets for the exercise.

The 'Freedom Edge' exercise was established as the three countries agreed to hold regular multi-domain drills at the 2023 Camp David Summit. This marks the fourth exercise, following those in June and November 2024 and September of last year. During last year's drill, they conducted exercises in maritime missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, air and air defense, counter-piracy, and cyber defense.

North Korea has protested the upcoming drill. On July 31, the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a spokesperson's statement criticizing the conduct of the Freedom Edge exercise and asserted, "There will not be the slightest change in our policy toward the United States, which is to respond with the strongest possible stance to Washington's unchanging hostile policy."

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