Mattis also said that Washington was also working internationally on a diplomatic solution. But by sending another aircraft to the region the US is just telling the North that it must indeed continue to develop missiles to defend itself. It will make it more difficult as well for the new president of South Korea to pursue a more conciliatory policy and reduce tension with the North. There could be increasing tension between the US and South Korea. There is considerable resistance to the deployment of the THAAD anti-missile system in the South and the new president campaigned against deploying it. However, since it is now deployed and operational he may not be able to change the situation.
The new carrier sent to the South Korean region is the USS Ronald Reagan which is now conducting training off the Japanese coast is expected to join the USS Carl Vinson and accompanying vessels near the Korean Peninsula two US officials told CNN. According to the US Navy, the USS Reagan set out Tuesday from its home port in Japan Yokosuka after completing maintenance and sea trials. The move may be in response to North Korea’s recent successful missile test.
Rear Admiral Charles Williams said in a press release: “Coming out of a long in-port maintenance period we have to ensure that Ronald Reagan and the remainder of the strike group are integrated properly as we move forward,” The Navy said that once it arrives in the region, the aircraft will test its ability to safely launch and recover aircraft. Defense officials refused to comment on how long the aircraft carriers were expected to be near South Korea. It is expected the USS Reagan will ultimately replace the Vinson. The Reagan is 1,092 feet long, has a huge crew of 4,539 and has roughly 60 aircraft. It was commissioned in 2003 and cost about $8 billion dollars. Being the global policeman is expensive but Donald Trump is going to ensure that funds are available for the US military establishment.
