US sends aircraft carrier to Yellow Sea following North Korean attacks

The US is deploying the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) and four other US Navy (USN) warships to the West Sea (Yellow Sea), with the announcement of the deployment being made a day after a North Korean artillery barrage targeting the island of Yeonpyeong killed four South Koreans and injured 18 others.

George Washington will participate in joint naval exercises with the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) "in the waters West of the Korean peninsula" from 28 November to 1 December, according to a statement released by the USN's Seventh Fleet on 24 November.

The Japan-based carrier was already under way and bound for the bilateral 'Keen Sword' exercise with the Japan Self-Defence Force (JSDF), according to the navy. While at sea, the ship was tasked to join RoKN forces for the as-yet unnamed exercise.

The announcement follows a 23 November phone call between US President Barack Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in which they agreed to combined military exercises "to underscore the strength of our alliance and commitment to peace and security in the region", according to a White House statement.