Invincible Spirit exercise bolsters Alliance maritime capability to ‘Fight Tonight’
YONGSAN GARRISON, Seoul, Republic of Korea – Senior Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea leaders observed Alliance maritime interoperability during a visit to the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN –76) as the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group conducted exercise Invincible Spirit in the waters surrounding the Korean Peninsula Oct. 13.
General Leem, Ho Young, Combined Forces Command deputy commander and Lt. Gen. Thomas Bergeson, U.S. Forces Korea deputy commander flew out to the aircraft carrier as the ship executed a series of combined training operations designed to further strengthen martime tactics, techniques and procedures.
"The Invincible Spirit exercise shows the Alliance’s strong commitment and ability to protect the Republic of Korea from North Korea’s continued provocations," said Gen. Leem. "Our ROK-US combined forces have the ability to conduct powerful combined operations and maintain full readiness to respond to any provocation either from the waters, air, or ground. By conducting this exercise together, the Alliance is becoming stronger."
Invincible Spirit is a bilateral exercise designed to strengthen maritime interoperability through comprehensive training, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare drills, communication drills, air defense exercises, and counter-mine planning.
"The strength of the bond between the United States and the Republic of Korea is ironclad and that commitment is further reinforced by exercises like this," said Lt. Gen. Bergeson. "The teamwork and learning gained is invaluable and bolsters our ability to fight tonight."