MILITARY/NAVY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Three U.S. aircraft carriers with around 200 jet fighters in total sailed in close formation with several other warships here in the Sea of Japan on Sunday [11-12-17], the largest display of U.S. naval firepower in the region for a decade as nearby North Korea trades war threats with Washington.
In exercises due to run through Tuesday, the U.S. forces, joined by Japanese and South Korean military vessels, are training for combined operations that would enable them to stage indefinite large-scale round-the-clock offensives, officials on board lead carrier the USS Ronald Reagan said in interviews.
The combined drill, the first three-carrier operation in the western Pacific region since 2007, was put together at short notice and has been highlighted by President Donald Trump as a warning to North Korea as that country continues to ramp up its nuclear program. In comments last week in Seoul, Mr. Trump said the carriers were among major military assets ‘we hope to God we never have to use.’…
Defense analysts say overwhelming air power would be central to winning any conflict with North Korea quickly. Most jet fighters on the three U.S. carriers are F-18s, which could be launched and reach North Korea within minutes of such a command being given.”
-Alastair Gale, “On a U.S. Aircraft Carrier Near North Korea, Tension Gives Way to Focus,” The Wall Street Journal online, Nov. 12, 2017 07:36am