US Army Chinooks conduct deck landings on USS Ronald Reagan.

Soldiers from B Company, 3-2 General Support Aviation Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade conducted deck landings with CH-47F Chinook helicopters on the the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in the East Sea on September 26, 2022.

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  (Picture source: Photo by Capt. Frank Spatt)

Deck landing qualifications are conducted to certify air crew members and pilots on landing on a ship. This training was conducted in part with the Maritime Counter Special Operations Exercise (MCSOFEX) to strengthen interoperability with joint partners.

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) began a series of exercises in the East Sea with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy, Sept. 26-29 to strengthen maritime interoperability and tactics, techniques and procedures.

"Our combined ROK-U.S. naval force is demonstrating its strength and resolve by conducting this exercise together to build our combat readiness," said Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly, commander, Task Force (CTF) 70/CSG 5. "The Republic of Korea and U.S. share one of the strongest alliances in the world and we grow stronger as an alliance because of our routine exercises here in South Korea and the close relationship and ties that we forge from operating at sea together."

The exercises are defensive in nature and consist of routine bilateral training, subject matter expert exchanges, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare drills, communication drills, air defense exercises, boarding drills, and combined live fires, as well as formation sailing. Additional U.S. Navy commands participating included Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72 and Commander, Task Force (CTF) 74. From the U.S. Army, the 2nd Combat Air Brigade and U.S. Air Force’s 7th Air Force, joined with units from U.S. Special Operations Command Korea for the exercises.

“This exercise will improve ROK-U.S. combined operational capabilities and bolstered interoperability,” said Rear Adm. Kwak, Kwang Sub, Commander, ROK Navy Maritime Battle Group (MBG) 1. “Two navies will continue to maintaining combined naval defense posture based on iron-clad ROK-U.S. alliance”

  (Picture source: Photo by Capt. Frank Spatt)