The US could easily sortie the USS Ronald Reagan group from Japan -- if the need arises.
Playing your cards close to your vest shows that the Pentagon is not as guillible as North Korea, China, or Russia.
One aspect of moving a carrier strike group is the support such as aircraft and submarines.
And steaming at 30 knots (or more) should only be done if the occasion necessitates.
Traveling at high speed makes it easy to locate.
Taking a more arbitrary route requires more elaborate planning by China and Russia to intercept.
Finally, this shows that this South Korean presidential candidate may not be a "major league player" and may not understand that caveats of moving pieces on a chess board.
Did he ask a shaman about it?
This guy is a “Presidential candidate” not the President of South Korea. So he would not be in on the security loop but he does sound stupid.
There is an entire party of wusses in SK comparable to the wusses here in the good old USofA.
Presumably this candidate made this statement in hopes that it would help get him elected.
I agree that it’s pretty stupid. And it’s not right to put your nation’s survival on the line in order to win an election. Looks like they’d better vote for the other guy.
Bottom line, at some point, three US carrier strike groups will converge NEAR the Korean peninsula, as well as a WEALTH of US aircraft located on bases in the Western Pacific.
If the North Korean dictator wants to act STUPID, fine. I believe our show of force may be partially aimed at Russia and China.
And to make it easy for China and Russia to shadow US Naval Forces is not something the Pentagon nor Trump wants.
Looks like the Pentagon and Trump are holding their cards close their vests.
When VP Mike Pence visited South Korea, he mentioned that the US had 1000 aircraft in the area. This might be a combination of: F15's, F18's, F117's, F22's, possibly some F35's, A10's, B1B's, B2's, as well as support tankers and AWAC's, and electronic jammers.
These aircraft can do the job if necessary along with the US Naval ships in the area...
Hong Joon-pyo is just playing politics. Nothing less, nothing more.
Good for the Trumpster deceive our enemies at every turn, while our allies should shut up.
I thought it was 4 Carrier Groups ,LOL
Place him in the Resist camp along with the other dissents. Maybe he is one of those Korea’s that advocates closer ties with China at the expense of US relations!
this guy is trying to change the subject from a date rape story that he published in his autobiography, and has just exploded into the public discourse.
sucks to be him. sucks worse to be his date, I guess.
Good!
Trump, via his military advisors has everyone guessing what is happening.
Keep them guessing, Mr President, until your Admirals and Generals tell you it is time for action based on intel not political bs.