US, South Korea & Japan conduct ‘Freedom Edge’ exercise

• The United States, South Korea and Japan opened an air and naval exercise off a South Korean island on September 15.

• The exercise is ‘called Freedom Edge’. 

• The trilateral, multi-domain exercise demonstrates the countries’ shared commitment to collectively achieve and maintain peace in the Asia-Pacific.

• The exercise off South Korea’s southern Jeju Island will conclude on September 19.

• The ongoing exercise marks the third round of the trilateral drills, with the previous rounds of the exercise conducted in June and November 2024.

• In addition to continuing to refine ballistic missile defence capabilities, this year’s exercise incorporates marine and air force aviation capabilities and introduces enhanced air defence exercises, medical evacuation training, and maritime interdiction operation training.

• It is aimed at strengthening the countries’ combined operational capabilities in the sea, air and cyberspace and is necessary to counter North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats.

• The exercise includes US Marine and Air Force aerial assets and features  enhanced ballistic-missile and air-defence drills, medical evacuations and maritime operations training, making it the most advanced demonstration of trilateral defense cooperation to date.

• The continued cooperation of all three nations tangibly demonstrates strength and an unwavering commitment to the defence of vital interests against shared threats and strengthens deterrence in the Asia-Pacific through bolstering combat-credible forces inside the First Island Chain.