Text Fwd: 7th Fleet Chief: U.S., Allies Boost Warships, Subs In Asia-Pacific

Stop NATO
Navy NewsStand
7th Fleet Chief: U.S., Allies Boost Warships, Subs In Asia-Pacific
February 22, 2011

'Commitment Remains Steadfast' in Asia-Pacific
By By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Kenneth R. Hendrix, U.S.
7th Fleet Public Affairs

-[T]he numbers of ships operating in the 7th Fleet on any given day are about 70 on average, which is about the same or more than it was a decade ago with increased capabilities aboard those ships today.

Van Buskirk cited the deployment to Japan of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) -- with greater speed, range, ammunition stowage and endurance, as an example of how the fleet's capabilities have increased.

HONG KONG: Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Adm. Scott R. Van Buskirk told members
of the Asia Society in Hong Kong on Feb. 21 that the Navy's increased capabilities and growing maritime partnerships reflect an enduring commitment...in the region.

"The 7th Fleet has actually increased its capabilities in several significant ways. The ships and aircraft that we operate today are vastly more capable than they were just a few years ago. At the same time, we have enhanced our maritime partnerships with navies around the region, enabling us to work together cooperatively more than ever before," Van Buskirk said.

He said the numbers of ships operating in the 7th Fleet on any given day are about 70 on average, which is about the same or more than it was a decade ago with increased capabilities aboard those ships today.

Van Buskirk cited the deployment to Japan of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) -- with greater speed, range, ammunition stowage and endurance, as an example of how the fleet's capabilities have increased.

He also cited the deployment of the Ohio-class fleet ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), the 60-40 split of attack submarines from the Atlantic to the Pacific and the recent deployment of the Virginia-class submarine USS Hawaii (SSN 776), which reflects the fleet's growing capability under the sea.

Van Buskirk added that upgrades to surface ships, including Ballistic Missile Defense capability and enhanced sonar suites, making them "increasingly potent."

He rejected the notion that the U.S., with its sluggish economy and military operations in Afghanistan, is lessening its commitment to the region.

"U.S. Navy and defense leadership continue to give me exactly the forces I need to do my mission," Van Buskirk said.

Improvements in capability have been made even stronger by a deepening of our alliances and partnerships around the region, Van Buskirk commented.

"Our alliance with Japan continues to be the cornerstone of our forward presence in Asia...." Van Buskirk said.

He also expanded on the alliance with the Republic of Korea, interoperability with the Royal Australian Navy and growth of navy-to-navy relations in Southeast Asia.
....
Van Buskirk reiterated that the U.S. Navy remains "committed and engaged".

"That is the message. We remain committed to this region, we remain committed to the Pacific and actively engaging where ever we can to foster maritime partnerships," he said.
______________________________

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[국문 번역] [Site Fwd: Anatakara] Contamination worsening through ‘ nuclear basing ‘at Yokosuoka [아나타카라] 요코스카 핵기지로 오염 악화됨

* Image source 이미지 소스: google 구글
'Mas of Japan and Miura peninsula, Kanagawa'
일본 지도 및 가나가와 미우라 반도 지도

* Image source 이미지 소스: google 구글

'The Great Wave off Kanagawa is a famous woodblock printing by the Japanese artist Hokusai ( *1760 to 1849) .'
'가나가와의 거대한 파도'는 일본 예술인 호쿠사이 (* 1760~ 1849)의 유명한 목판화이다.

_________________________________________________________

* The below is the copy (only English parts) from the site of Anatakara, Japan
* 아래는 일본 아나타카라 사이트로부터 퍼온 것입니다. (영어 부분만)
_________________________________________________________

from: ‘Soshi-Ren ( the Affiliation for Prevention) ‘No.749
published by the Affiliation of Citizen in the Miura Peninsula,Kanawaga, for prevention of the deployment of the USS nuclear-powered carrier to Yokosuka

출처: '소시-렌 (금지를 위한 동맹) 749호'
'요코스카 미 핵항모 배치 금지를 위한 가나가와 미우라 반도 시민 동맹'에 의해 출판
.........................................................................................

Contamination worsening through ‘ nuclear basing' at Yokosuoka

요코스카 핵기지화로 오염 악화됨

Since Sep. 2008, Yokosuka has been virtually the home-port of USS George Washington, for the only overseas deployment of a U.S. carrier as well as for the first-ever deployment of a U.S. nuclear-powered carrier to Japan.

2008년 9월 이후, 요코스카는 사상 처음 미국 핵 항공 모함의 일본 배치 [장소라는] 점과 동시에 미국 항공 모함의 유일한 해외 배치 [장소라는] 점들에서, 실제적으로 미 항모 조지 워싱턴의 모항이었다.

The Association of Health Insurance Doctors in Kanagawa and Gensui-Kyo have been concucting an annual sample-testing examination of local waters since 1998. 　This year is its 13th round. In the examination carried out Nov. 1st last year, of the total of thirty-five spiny gobies taken for sampling at the three areas of Velny Park, the Bay of Nagaura, the mouth of the Tsurumi River, two at the park and four in the bay had bone-deformation. Additionaly, two striped catfish taken from the water in front of Velny Park had similarly deformed bone. Furthermore, a small mount of PCB was detected from the edible part of those fish.

가나가와 건강 보험 의사 협의회와 겐슈이쿄(원자 폭탄 및 수소 폭탄에 반대하는 일본 위원회)는 1998년 이후 지역 수질의 연간 샘플 실험을 시행해오고 있었다. 올해는 그 13번째이다. 작년 11월 1일 샘플 조사를 위해 벨니 공원, 나가우라 만, 쓰루미 강 하구의 세 지역에서 이행된 총 35 척추 망둥이 실험에서 공원 [지역]의 2개와 만 [지역의] 4개가 뼈 변형이 있었다. 그 외 벤리 공원 앞 물로부터 채집된 두줄 무늬 메기가 유사하게 변향된 뼈를 가졌다. 게다가 그 물고기들의 식용 부분에서 소량의 PCB(PCB: Polychlorinated biphenyls) 폴리 염화 비폐닐이 탐지되었다.

* Image: by the Associaion of Kanagawa Health Insurance Doctors
* 이미지: 가나가와 건강 보험 의사 연합

Bone-deformation was detected in a spiny goby taken from the water in front of the Yokosuka Base in Nov.2009 examination. 　A small amount of PCB was also detected.

2009년 11월 실험에서 요코스카 기지 앞 물에서 채취된 척추 망둥이의 뼈 변형이 탐지되었다. 소량의 PCB(폴리 염화 비폐닐) 또한 탐지되었다.

The findings were announced by the association on Feb.10th, this year, and later broadcast by a local TV in Kanagawa.

그 발견은 올 해 2010년 2월, 협회에 의해 발표되었으며 가나가와 지역 방송에 의해 후에 방송되었다.

It is well reasoned the bone-deformation in the fish and PCB found in their meat have drived from the situation where Yokosuka has become the home-port of USS George Washinton, and also accepts additional port-call by USS Hawaii, a nuclear-powered submarine.

물고기의 뼈 변형과 그것들 살의 폴리 염화 비폐닐은 요코수카가 미 함 조지 워싱턴의 모항이 되었고 미 핵잠수함 하와이의 추가적 정박을 허락하는 상황에서 비롯되었음이 잘 설명된다.

A white container of radioactive waste was brought out from USS George Washington
on Apr. 2009 at Yokosuka military base.

2009년 4월 29일 요코스카 군사 기지에서 조지 워싱턴 함으로부터 방사성 폐기물을 담은 하얀 콘테이너가 전달되었다.

The port call of USS Hawaii, a n uclear-powered submarine, on Sep.3rd, 2010 ( Soshi-ren news No.694)
2010년 9월 3일, 미 핵 잠수함 하와이의 항구 기항
(소시렌 뉴스 694 호)

‘ On Sep. 3rd, USS Hawaii, a Virginia Class submarine, made a port call at Yokosuka Base,the first time for such submarine to enter a Japanese port, posing further concern to local citizens. This submarine is equipped with Tomahawks (submarine launched cruising missiles ) and has some easier devices for landing of special forces, both contributing to its atttacking capability . Mayor Yoshida of Yokosuka should protest against the port call, wrote 'Soshi-Ren' as its opposition comment.

9월 3일, 버지니아급 미 핵 잠수함 하와이가 지역 시민들에게 더 많은 우려를 일으키며 일본 항구로 들어오는 그러한 잠수함으로선 처음 기항을 했다. 이 잠수함은 토마호크 (잠수함에서 발사되는 크루즈 미사일들) 과 특수 부대 착륙을 위한 몇 쉬운 장치들을 갖고 있는데 이 2 개는 잠수함의 공격 능력에 기여한다. 요코스카 요시다 시장은 그 항구 기항에 항의해야 한다고 '소시-렌'은 반대 언급을 썼다.

READ MORE including,'The amount of hazardous waste disposal by US Marines in Okinawa' (* includeds tables)
오키나와 미 해병대에서 처분되는 유해 폐기물 량(도표들 포함)

Text Fwd: [Bruce Gagnon] U.S. LOOKING FOR A FIGHT

* Image source: same as the link

Bruce Gagnon's Organizing Notes blog
U.S. LOOKING FOR A FIGHT
Nov. 27, 2010

The Advent vigils (four weeks in a row) began today at Bath Iron Works (BIW) here in Maine. BIW is the place where Navy Aegis destroyers are built that are presently being used as part of the U.S.-South Korea (ROK) war games which are bumping up against the coastline of North Korea. I noticed that the USS Cowpens is a part of this U.S. naval battle group that is being led toward North Korea by the aircraft carrier named the USS George Washington.

I know about the USS Cowpens because it was the ship that fired the first shot (cruise missiles) in the 2003 U.S. shock and awe attack on Iraq. I know this because the woman who was driving the USS Cowpens at that historic moment has become a friend of our family and was at our home for Thanksgiving just two days ago.

This young woman was a Lieutenant in the Navy and was the Officer of the Deck at the time of the Cowpens attack on Iraq. She has since gotten out of the Navy and is now a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW). She has not yet gotten over the pain of her role in that unprovoked, immoral, and illegal attack on Iraq.

North Korea knows all about the U.S. proclivity to attack smaller countries for no good reason. In years past the world has watched the U.S. beat up on Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, Granada, Panama, Libya, Somalia, Haiti, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. North Korea must wonder if their day is coming soon as well.

As I noted in other recent blogs on this subject, the U.S. and South Korea have been running aggressive military war games each month since last July and these massive drills are directed right at North Korea. North Korea must each time put their military and their population on alert because they can't take any chances. Having seen the U.S. record of attacking weaker countries they must consider that this time the war games could be for real.

As I stood on the sidewalk in front of BIW for the hour-long vigil today I held a sign with a picture of a train painted on it by one of our local artist friends. The sign read "Built in Bath". Some of the passing Saturday early-shift workers got the message and smiled as they drove home. The truth is that a number of those working inside BIW know that their "product" is a first-strike attack military machine. They'd rather be building rail systems or wind turbines. But we make weapons and we make war in America today and military production is one of the few jobs around in our declining economy. It's like those who worked in the death camps for Hitler's Army during WW II. It was a job and they wanted to believe that their country was right - Germany uber alles. In America we say - USA, USA, #1!

The U.S. is outfitting these Navy Aegis destroyers with "missile defense" systems and activists in South Korea and Japan clearly understand the role of these warships in U.S. military strategy. The U.S. intends to use these MD systems to pick-off retaliatory strikes after a Pentagon first-strike attack on North Korea or China. The U.S. is doubling its military presence in the Asian-Pacific region for a clear reason.

Like any bully, the U.S. military is poking a sharp stick at North Korea (and China) and basically daring them to fight back. The U.S. (and their junior partners in South Korea and Japan) are out to militarize the region and are just itching for a military response that would then "justify" an overwhelming response.

The U.S. weapons corporations love this game of hardball, or as it used to be called, gunboat diplomacy. The power tripping U.S. government intends to keep pushing North Korea into a corner and will keep pissing on them until they get another response. At the rate things are now going it likely won't take long.

The key factor in all of this is China. How long will China allow the U.S. to keep pouring gasoline on the hot fire in the Asian-Pacific? They hold our debt yet know that if they cut the U.S. loose then the entire global economy will suffer even more. But China is quickly getting fed up with U.S. military bravado in their back yard.

China must support North Korea because if that country is toppled then the U.S. would put military bases right on China's border. This was an important reason for the Korean War in the first place, the U.S. wanted to take control of the entire Korean peninsula and thus have bases right alongside Russia and China.

If the American people knew half of what was going on in their name they'd be freaking out but due to corporate control of the media, and generations of government brainwashing, most of our citizens are in the dark. Virtually all they know about any of what is going on right now in Korea is what they are told by the same people who are stirring the boiling pot of war.

Sadly most Americans have to learn the hard way. Hopefully it won't take a shooting war with China to wake the public up from their deep sleep.

Text Fwd: [Translation] Korean organizations' statement: Immediately cancel the joint ROK-US drill mobilized with an aircraft carrier in the West Sea!

Sign for the Peace Treaty!(click)

Action Alert – Online Demonstration for Peace in Korea(click)

Stop the War Provocations and Attacks on the DPRK!(click)

* Image source: Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea (Click HERE)

* Image source: Organizing Notes, Nov. 23, 2010

_____________________________________________________________

* Thank you, Bruce Gagnon, for posting this

Organizing Notes
Saturday, November 27, 2010
KOREAN ORGANIZATION'S JOINT STATEMENT

* Thank you, M. S. in Japan for translating this in Japanese

Anatakara
韓国市民団体の共同声明
西海（黄海）での空母を伴う韓米合同軍事訓練をただちに中止せよ！
_____________________________________________________________

# Original Korean statement is informed at many sites of the below signatory organizations such as the Korean Alliance of Progressive Movements (한국 진보 연대, 클릭) and
Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea (평화와 통일을 여는 사람들, 클릭).
Below is an arbitrary translation of the statement.

See also:

Dec. 9, 2010
End the Korean War: Peace Bulletin from the National Campaign
한국 전쟁 종식: 전 미주 캠페인출간 평화 속보

Friday, December 3, 2010
Photos Fwd: Stop to increase defense budget with the pretext of the Yeonpyeong Island Incident!
연평도 사건을 구실로 국방비를 증가시키지 말라

* Also download the PDF File(source: End the Korean War)
Factsheet: WEST SEA CRISIS IN KOREA (informed at the SPARK site)

	factsheet2--west_sea_crisis_in_korea--2010-12-011.pdf 823K View Download

Monday, November 29, 2010
Photos Fwd:[SPARK] Stop the ROK-US joint drill with a nuclear aircraft carrier(click)

Monday, November 29, 2010
Site Fwd:[Korea Report] Voices for Peace in Korea Grow(click)

Bruce Gagnon's Organizing Notes
U.S. Looking for a fight (Nov. 27, 2010)
_____________________________________________________________

Korean organizations’ Joint statement on Nov. 26, 2010

Immediately cancel the joint ROK-US drill mobilized with an aircraft carrier in the West Sea (Yellow Sea)!

We, praying heavenly bliss for all the people who have been victimized by the incident that has occurred on the Yeonpyeong Island in the West Sea (Yellow Sea) on last [Nov.] 23, deliver our deep condolence to their bereaved families. We also pray that all the wounded could get recovered soon.

In the meantime, various fields and classes have expressed their concern that the Lee Myung Bak government’s hostile policy against North Korea and gradually increasing ROK-US joint war exercises could bring war in the Korean peninsula but the authorities of South Korea and United States have ignored those advices. As a result, a limited warfare has actually happened and all the citizens are greatly shocked.

What is most urgent at this point is to solve the crisis of the militaristic collision between the South and North Korea at flashing point. The authorities of the South and North Korea should immediately stop their actions to more aggravate the situation and should immediately enter for dialogue.

The Yeonpyeong Island incident should not be the fuse that makes a terrible disaster that could not be recovered by retaliation and chastisement. In the situation when militaristic clash is already predicted, being consistent only with hard-line confrontation policy can never be the measure to solve the militaristic crisis we are now facing in the Korean peninsula.

The both authorities of the ROK and US should moderate and moderate again themselves toward the directions of mitigating the danger of militaristic clash currently being formed and of preventing any extended war.

In the sense that it is a highly dangerous move to heighten the militaristic danger in the West Sea (Yellow Sea) that the both authorities of ROK and US have announced that they would process the ROK-US joint military drill with the mobilization of an aircraft carrier USS George Washington for the response of Yeonpyeong Island incident, we urge the immediate stop of it.

The both authorities of ROK and US have announced that, including the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, 9,600 ton class cruiser Cowpens, 9,750 ton class destroyers of the Shiloh, Stethem, Fitzgerald participate [the drill] and the ROK military would join it with the two of the Korean style 4,500 ton class Aegis destroyers, patrol frigate(s), convoy(s), logistic ship(s), anti-submarine air crafts.

Even though the United States Forces of Korea says the ROK-US joint military drill is the exercise to strengthen deterrence power and increase regional stability, it only heightens the crisis of militaristic clash in reality.

Especially, there is high concern that the drill joined by an aircraft carrier in the West Sea (Yellow Sea) would provide another militaristic clash again. In case that the intention to increase the degree of drill brings the militaristic actions that could bring about any militaristic clash in the borderlines of the West Sea (Yellow Sea), the situation of the West Sea (Yellow Sea) would be unfolded toward more dangerous direction than now.

Currently, the both ROK and US authorities, operating the ROK-US joint crisis management team, are heightening crisis situation. Even though it is the situation that the joint crisis management team has elevated their watch condition yet [to its 2nd stage], it is told that they are considering elevating the DEFCON (Defense Readiness Conditions) even to its 3rd stage.

In other words, it means that the situation that wartime operational control right would be transferred from the hands of the Joint Chiefs of Staff [of the ROK] to those of the Combined Forces Command would occur, and that such situation would be converted in which the Korean peninsula issue does not stay any more within the domestic situation but into which the United States would directly involve.

We, Korean people do not want the United States intervenes into the issue of the Korean peninsula. We above all, oppose her intervention of which the direction goes toward that of the military crisis acerbating.

We hoping that the Yonpyeong Island accident this time would become the moment to wake up the urgency to improve the relationship between the South Korea and North Korea not the kindling of expanding war, demand as the below.

The both authorities of South Korea and United States should immediately withdraw their plan of the joint ROK-US military exercise in which an aircraft carrier joins in the West Sea (Yellow Sea)!

The both authorities of South Korea and United States should stop the militaristic response measure and should prepare for the peaceful measure to remove the danger of militaristic clash in the West Sea (Yellow Sea)!

Nov. 26, 2010

Imagination for International Solidarity; All Together; Anti-War Peace Solidarity*; Revolution 4.19 Committee*; People’s Solidarity for Social Progress; Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea; Hunger Strike Comrades’ Council for the Withdrawal of Troops, 2005*; Korean Alliance of Progressive Movements (Christian Social Mission Solidarity Council*; The Association for Migrant Workers’ Human Rights; Farmers’ Pharmacy*; Solidarity for the Practice of Joint Declarations*; Supporting Committee for Prisoners of Conscience; Korea Council for Democratic Martyr; Institute for Research in Collaborationist Activities; Central Council for the Nation’s Self-Reliance, Peace, and Reunification*; Pan Korean Association for Reconciliation(Inc.); Korean Democratic Workers’ Council*; Association of the Family Movements for Democracy Practice*; Buddhism Peace Solidarity*; Council for the Drive on Our Nation’s Unification through Federation System*; Korean Peasants League; Pan Korean Bereaved Families’ Association for Nation and Democracy*; Pan Korean Bereaved Families’ Association for Democracy Movement (Inc.)*; Pan Korean Poor People’s Association for Liberation*; Korean Women Peasant Association; Pan Korean Women's Solidarity*; Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification of Korea, South Korea branch; Veterans for Peace, Corea; Unification Square*; Pan Korean Young People’s Solidarity; 21st Century Pan Korean University Students’ Association*; June 15 Youth and Student’s Solidarity*)

(* Marked are temporary translations)

Text Fwd: U.S. Deploys Aircraft Supercarrier Strike Group To Korean Waters

* Image and caption source: same as the link

'The U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier George Washington set off for the Korean peninsula Nov. 24 to join a naval readiness exercise with South Korean forces. (MCSN Adam K. Thomas / U.S. Navy)'

* Text sent from Rock Rozoff on Nov. 24, 2010

Defense News
November 24, 2010
U.S. Sends Aircraft Carrier to Korean Waters
By JUNG SUNG-KI

SEOUL: The U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington set off for the volatile waters west of the Korean peninsula Nov. 24 to join a naval readiness exercise with South Korean forces, the Combined Forces Command (CFC) here announced, in an apparent show of strength against North Korea, which shelled an island of the South, killing two marines and two other civilians a day ago.

The participation of the U.S. aircraft carrier strike group, which includes 75 aircraft and 6,000 sailors, was agreed upon by U.S. and South Korean leaders, according to the presidential offices in both countries.

President Barack Obama talked with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung-bak, for 30 minutes by phone and decided to dispatch the 97,000-ton aircraft carrier from the U.S. 7th Fleet, according to the White House. The carrier strike group left its home base in Yokosuka, Japan, for the West Sea to take part in drills Nov. 28-Dec.1.

"The United States stands shoulder to shoulder with our close friend and ally," Obama told Lee, according to a White House statement.

The CFC, led by Gen. Walter Sharp, issued a statement announcing the naval exercise is "defensive in nature."

"While planned well before yesterday's unprovoked artillery attack, it demonstrates the strength of the ROK (Republic of Korea)-U.S. alliance and our commitment to regional stability through deterrence. It is also designed to improve our military interoperability," said the statement.

Along with the George Washington and its embarked carrier air wing, the statement said U.S. Navy ships scheduled to participate include the guided-missile cruiser Cowpens and the guided-missile destroyers Stethem, Fitzgerald and Lassen.

"The U.S. and ROK forces will conduct air defense and surface warfare readiness training," the statement said.

CFC public affairs official Kim Yong-kyu said the U.S. government had notified China of the exercise plan. China has been opposed to U.S.-ROK joint maneuvers in the West Sea, or Yellow Sea, most of which it considers to be its territory.

Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the ROK Navy will deploy destroyers, corvettes, frigates, support ships and anti-submarine aircraft without specifying how many troops or what type of ships would be involved in the four-day exercise.
....
In July, about 8,000 U.S. and South Korean forces, 20 ships and submarines and 200 aircraft took part in the "Invincible Spirit" exercise, the first of a series of war games held in response to the Cheonan sinking.
....
The UNC will investigate the incident as part of its responsibility to maintain the Armistice Agreement and will determine any violations, he said, calling for holding of general officer-level talks with the North Korean People's Army in order to initiate an exchange of information and de-escalate the situation.
....
===========================
Stop NATO
Blog site

Text Fwd: To stabilize N.Korea

* Image source: same as the below link

Hankyoreh
To stabilize N.Korea
Posted on : Sep.10,2010 14:19 KST

Commander of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Gen. Walter Sharp said Thursday that South Korea and the U.S. conducted drills aimed at “stabilizing” North Korea in the event of N. Korean regime collapse.

In a press conference at the U.S. garrison in Yongsan, Seoul, Sharp said that South Korean and U.S. forces practiced a stabilization drill in reply to whether a stabilization drill was part of an annual drill “Ulchi Freedom Guardian” (UFG) last month.

“We are really trying to make sure that we are able to not only defend, not only able to kill and attack, but also able to provide humanitarian assistance and security and stability for the people [in North Korea] because all of those tasks will have to be done via soldiers in future conflict,” Sharp said.

The computer-simulated operation was designed to ensure stability in North Korea in case of war, and is based on lessons the U.S. has learned from its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, he said. “One of the lessons is that you can be fighting and attacking one area, and in another area the main mission is to stabilize and protect the population.”

Sharp’s remarks could possibly mean that South Korea and the U.S. converted Operation Plan in Concept Format 5029 (CONPLAN 5029) into Operations Plan (OPLAN 5029) in case of the collapse of the North Korean regime and practiced drills with that in mind. Unless CONPLAN 5029 includes the specific process of military forces distribution, it could not become a complete OPLAN 5029.

No USFK commander so far has openly mentioned such drills, which experts speculate were included as part of a new contingency operation plan the two allies are working out.

In late October 2008 the United States reportedly proposed developing a detailed Operations Plan, OPLAN, in the event of the collapse of the North Korean regime.

(Photo Pool)
____________________________________________________
See also Korea Times
S. Korea, US develop N. Korea stabilization operations
09-09-2010
____________________________________________________
Stop NATO
Pentagon: Nuclear Supercarrier To Join Drills In Yellow Sea
Sept. 10, 2010

Photo Fwd: Press interview against the ROK-US joint military exercise: Go Away, US Nuclear Aircraft Carrier!

* Photo informed from the site of the Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea


* Image source: Kim Myung-Jin, Hankyoreh, July 21, 2010

'On July 21, 2010, the Busan regional branch of the SPARK, Busan regional branch of the Solidarity for the Practice on the 6.15 Joint Statement and Busan regional branch of the PKAR(South Korea branch) had the press interview against the US-ROK joint exercise, in front of the Navy Operation Headquarter in the City of Busan where the US nuclear aircraft carrier, George Washington (97,000 ton) entered into its port (rough translation)'

The banner says:

'Press interview against the ROK-US joint military exercise that heightens the war possibility in the East Sea
Go Away, the US Nuclear Aircraft Carrier!
The Busan regional branch of the SPARK, Busan regional branch of the practice for the 6.15 statement and Busan regional branch of the PKAR
11am, July 21, 2010/ in front of the Navy Operation Headquarter in the City of Busan'

* Image source: Hankyoreh 'USS George Washington'

Photo and article Fwd: One man protest /S. Korea-US joint exercise to be held July 25-28

* Image source: Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea
SPARK secretary, Kim Jong-Il in front of the Ministry of National Defense, ROK, July 20, 2010

"Immediately stop the discussion on the ROK-US war exercise!
"We denounce the meeting by the ROK-US Defense Secretary& Minister"




* Image source: Hankyoreh, 'The USS George Washington aircraft carrier'

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http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/07/205_69826.html

F-22 'Raptors' to join naval drill
S. Korea-US joint exercise to be held July 25-28

By Jung Sung-ki, Staff reporter
07-20-2010 18:57


Four state-of-the-art U.S. stealth fighters will join a massive combined air and naval exercise to be held by South Korea and the United States in the East Sea later this month in a show of the allies’ strong deterrence plans against North Korean provocations, South Korean and U.S. defense officials announced Tuesday.

The plan was made public after consultations between Defense Minister Kim Tae-young and his U.S. counterpart Robert Gates in Seoul. The two defense chiefs discussed a series of combined maritime and air readiness drills in waters around the peninsula in the coming months.

Gates arrived in Seoul late Monday to attend the “2+2” meeting that will include Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and Defense Minister Kim Tae-young.

The exercise, “Invincible Spirit,” will be the largest in scale with the participation of 8,000 Army, Air, Navy and Marine forces from the South Korean and U.S. militaries. The drill will be held from July 25 to 28.

About 200 fighter jets, and naval aircraft and helicopters will fly training missions in and around Korea. In addition, approximately 20 warships, including the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, the South Korean Navy’s 14,000-ton Dokdo large-deck landing ship, and attack submarines will participate in the exercise.

The deployment of the F-22 Raptor, the world’s most advanced aircraft, will be symbolic in heralding the solid and broader alliance of the two governments against emerging regional threats, including a North Korean provocation, said Maj. Gen. John A. Macdonald, director of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command’s operations bureau.

“The Raptor is the capability that we brought here to help in the defense of the Republic of Korea. It is part of the ROK-U.S. alliance,” Macdonald said.

“We will have four Raptors to participate in the exercise, and they will be involved in strike operations that will take place on ranges.”

This will be the first time that the “fifth-generation” radar-evading aircraft will participate in exercises with South Korea. The F-22, built by Lockheed Martin, is equipped with an active electronically scanned radar for cruise missile detection and is capable of evading advanced air defenses to bomb ballistic missile launch sites.

The single-seat fighter can fly at a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and has an operational radius of 2,000 kilometers. Its weapons systems include AIM-9 Sidewinders and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM).

Macdonald added allied troops will be engaged in “network defense” to ensure they are secure in adverse conditions.

“The exercise will sharpen our military readiness by improving interoperability and the combined operational capability of the ROK-U.S. combined forces, while demonstrating the resolve and strength of the alliance,” Gen. Han Min-koo, chairman of the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a statement. “We stand fully prepared to respond militarily to any further North Korean provocation.”

The exercise was originally scheduled to be held in the West Sea, but defense authorities in Seoul and Washington changed the venue apparently after strong protests from China.

The USS George Washington carries nearly 5,000 crew and flight staff, including 400-plus officers and more than 4,000 enlisted sailors.

The 97,000-ton vessel carries more than 65 aircraft, including F/A 18 Hornets, F/A 18 E/F Super Hornets, EA6B Prowlers, E2C Hawkeyes, C-2 Greyhounds and SH-60 Seahawk helicopters.

Joining the East Sea exercise will be the USS McCampbell, USS John S. McCain and USS Lassen (* Aegis Destroyers)

Earlier this month, the U.N. Security Council issued a statement that expressed “deep concern” over the sinking of the frigate Cheonan in the West Sea in March, but did not identify who was responsible for sinking the ship.

China, North Korea’s most important ally, was reportedly the main force behind the watering down of the Security Council resolution. It is also very uneasy about the ROK-U.S. joint exercise involving a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

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You may also see Hankyoreh
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/431169.html
ROK-U.S. plan additional joint naval exercises
The exercises, to be held in the Yellow Sea, are expected to draw additional criticism from China
Posted on : Jul.20,2010 12:33 KST

Excerpts

The South Korean media reported that the country developed a cruise missile ‘Hyunmoo 3-C’ with a 1500 km range that can reach Beijing and northeast region of China. Observers said that South Korean government leaked the fact in order to place a power check on China. (* South Korea has become the forth nation to develop the 1500km long range missile after the United States, Russia, Israel. The Korean media reports)

One Chinese newspaper, which took a hardline stance in response to the joint ROK-U.S. military exercises, posted on the front page of its Monday edition, “South Korean Cruise Missile’s Range Covers the Region. It is Feared that Tensions Will Increase Around the Region.”

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You may also see
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=20149
Confronting both China and Russia: U.S. Risks Military Clash With China In Yellow Sea
Rick Rozoff

http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com
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* Other related articles from Rick Rozoff on July 20, 2010

Voice of Russia
US, South Korea to conduct war games
July 20, 2010

Google
U.S. Deploys Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier To South Korea
Associated Press
July 19, 2010
By ANNE FLAHERTY

Excerpts:

The carrier was expected to be in South Korea's port of Busan by Wednesday and could participate in an upcoming military exercise.

The nuclear powered carrier, one of the world's largest warships, will be accompanied by three destroyers — the McCampbell, the John S. McCain and the Lassen.

The Cheonan's sinking was considered South Korea's worst military disaster since the Korean War, which ended in a cease-fire in 1953. No formal peace treaty was ever signed, and more than 28,000 U.S. troops remain stationed in the south with a vow to protect its critical ally.

The deployment of the aircraft carrier could be seen by North Korea as a particularly aggressive move by the United States because of the ship's sheer size. According to a Navy website, the George Washington is 244 feet high from keel to mast and can accommodate some 6,250 crew members.

Text Fwd: S. Korea, US to stage joint naval exercise next week

Korea Times

06-02-2010 19:21 S. Korea, US to stage joint naval exercise next week By Jung Sung-ki Staff reporter South Korea and the United States will stage a large-scale naval exercise in the West Sea next week, about two months after North Korea attacked a South Korean frigate there, officials of the Ministry of National Defense said Wednesday. Following the exercise to be held from May 8 to 11 in waters south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the navies of the two allies also plan to conduct a joint anti-submarine drill, they said. "After a multinational investigation pointed to North Korean involvement in the ship sinking, both governments agreed to show their firm deterrent against threats from the North," a ministry official said. The U.S. 7th Fleet will dispatch the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, as well as nuclear-powered submarines, Aegis-equipped warships and amphibious assault landing ships, the official said on condition of anonymity. Named after the first president of the United States, George Washington is the sixth ship in the Nimitz class. Commissioned in July 1992, she is best known for her huge size ― 233 meters in length and 78 meters in width. The 100,000-ton aircraft carrier based in the Yokosuka naval base in Japan can accommodate about 6,250 crew members and carry some 90 fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. The South Korean Navy plans to mobilize 4,500-ton KDX-II destroyers, 1,800-ton Type-214 attack submarines and F-15K fighter jets in the drill, said the official. The exercise will include naval bombardment, dropping depth charges and checks of communications systems between the allied forces, he said. Last month, a South Korea-led multinational investigation group released a report saying a North Korean midget submarine had torpedoed the 1,200-ton frigate Cheonan in the West Sea on March 26, killing 46 sailors. The Seoul government pledged stern countermeasures in retaliation, including the ROK-U.S. naval exercise and the resumption of psychological warfare. gallantjung@koratimes.co.kr

Text Fwd: GW, CVW-5 Get Underway for COE

* Image Source/ Description

“Above, Sailors on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) wave goodbye to loved ones as the ship departs Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) for a scheduled underway.

Below, the carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) departs Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) for a scheduled underway. (U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Barry Hirayama/Released)”


http://www.pacom.mil/web/site_pages/media/news%20200905/20090520-GW-COE.shtml

Original source:
http://www.c7f.navy.mil/news/2009/05-may/26.htm
USS George Washington, Air Wing Conduct Efficiency Evaluation
By George Washington Public Affairs, Posted: May 21, 2009


YOKOSUKA, Japan — USS George Washington (CVN 73), with nearly 5,000 Sailors, departed its forward-deployed port of Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka Wed., May 20, to conduct its Combat Operations Efficiency evaluation in the Western Pacific.

The ship and crew, along with Sailors from embarked Carrier Airwing (CVW) 5, are now underway to conduct advanced cyclic flight operations to return the ship to full combat readiness following its first Selective Restricted Availability which wrapped up earlier in May.

“COE measures our ability to land and recover aircraft with certain efficiency according to Navy-wide operational standards,” said Cmdr. Vincent Aiello, CVW-5’s operations officer.

Aiello said that COE certification is an important milestone, because it proves that the ship and Airwing team meets established criteria of efficiency and safety during aircraft launch and recovery operations. Successful completion of COE would allow CVW-5 and GW to fly over open ocean, without the requirement for a divert airfield if operationally necessary.

Aiello added that the air wing also expects to conduct some air-to-ground strike training while at sea. He said this is a good test of the ship and air wing’s ability to handle weapons, load them onto aircraft, and employ them on overland targets.

Commanded by Capt. David A. Lausman, GW is the flagship of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, commanded by Rear Adm. Kevin M. Donegan and comprised of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, and guided missile cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Cowpens (CG 63).

CVW-5, commanded by Capt. Michael S. White, has operated from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan since 1973, and is the Navy’s only for¬ward-deployed, co-located air wing. CVW-5 has called GW home since the aircraft carrier’s arrival in Japan last September when it replaced the recently decommissioned USS Kitty Hawk as the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier.

GW heads back to sea just days after completing several other significant milestones. The ship returned to Fleet Activities Yokosuka May 15 after ten days at sea, during which the ship completed sea trials, flight deck certification and carrier qualifications.

Following the Combat Operations Efficiency evaluation, George Washington expects to conduct its first annual summer deployment supporting security and stability in the western Pacific region."