YOKOSUKA, Japan -- Vessels from the United States Navy, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy, and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force will conduct a trilateral missile warning informational link exercise (LINKEX) Mar. 14-15 in seas east of the Korean peninsula and north of Japan to promote communications, interoperability, and partnership in the 7th Fleet area of operations.

The exercise will employ tactical data link systems to trade communications, intelligence and other data among the ships in the exercise. It will allow participants to enhance tactical capabilities, increase self-defense, strengthen partnerships, and improved situational awareness.

Participants include USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG- 991), and JS Kirishima (DDG-174).

The U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest numbered fleet, 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build maritime partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability and prevent conflict.