U.S. forces, Republic of Korea Navy conducted bilateral exercise CSGEX 2025

by Petty Officer 1st Class Ezekiel Duran

15 November 2025
AT SEA

The U.S. Navy and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) concluded the bilateral exercise Carrier Strike Group Exercise (CSGEX) 2025 on Nov. 14, 2025.

The four-day exercise was led by the U.S. Navy in collaboration with ROKN to focus on alliance-enhancing U.S. Navy and ROKN bilateral maritime communication tactics, anti-submarine warfare operations, air warfare operations, replenishment-at-sea, and more. CSGEX 2025 follows Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5’s visit to Busan, ROK. The previous CSGEX, held in June 2022, also featured CSG-5, represented by Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

“Carrier Strike Group 5’s success during this exercise underscores the strength of our alliance and the trust that exists between the U.S. Navy and the Republic of Korea Navy,” said Rear Adm. Eric Anduze, commander of CSG 5. “Training side-by-side enhances our combined readiness and ensures that, together, we can respond decisively to maintain stability and uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Participating units included the U.S. Navy George Washington (CVN 73), flagship of CSG 5, embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Shoup (DDG 86), USS Milius (DDG 69), Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, the ROKN Sejong the Great-class destroyers ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong Ryong (DDG 993), ROKS Yulgok Yi I (DDG 992), Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyers ROKS Wang Geon (DDH 978), ROKS Gang Gam Chan (DDH 979), Cheonji-class fast combat support ships ROKS Cheonji (AOE 57), and ROKS Daecheong (AOE 58).

CSG 5 is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet.

U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.