TOKYO -- The U.S. and Japan are ramping up military exercises aimed to intimidate North Korea and prepare for the possibility of conflict as tensions mount, including by flying nuclear-capable bombers through nearby airspace.
The countries' alliance was on full display Nov. 12, when three U.S. aircraft carriers and three Maritime Self-Defense Force escort ships held joint exercises in the Sea of Japan. The fleet was joined by American missile destroyers bearing the Aegis anti-missile system and a number of cruisers. Together, these vessels practiced maneuvers designed to protect the aircraft carriers from submarines that might threaten them.
