U.S. Air Force Holds Mass Casualty Exercises And Evacuations In The Event Of A War Against China

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force medic and a US Air Force Airman load a volunteer simulated patient onto a C-130 during Mobility Guardian at Komaki Air Base, Japan, on July 19, 2023 (Source: Airman 1st Class Amanda Jett/Air Mobility Command)  

SCMP: US Air Force holds China war drill rehearsing evacuation of thousands from Pacific 

* US and six allies, including Australia and Japan, hold simulation of aeromedical operations under 'limited bandwidth and internet connectivity' 

* During two-week drill, forces use C-130 Hercules cargo plane to move patients and test deployment of modular medical teams 

The US Air Force practised evacuating thousands of casualties from the Pacific in a drill last month seen as a direct response to the threat of a conflict with China. 

The two-week drill, dubbed Mobility Guardian 23, took place last month "across the Indo-Pacific" and involved medical personnel from the US and six allies including Australia and Japan, according to the Air Mobility Command, a branch of the US Air Force that manages medical and evacuation units.  

Read more ....  

Update: US Air Force Holds China War Drill Rehearsing Casualty Evacuations in the Pacific (Antiwar.com)  

WNU Editor: After reading reports like this one I cannot help but feel that something big is going to happen in the near future.

Four U.S. Navy Destroyers Sent To Alaska Coast After 11 Chinese, Russian Warships Spotted In Nearby Waters

 

CBS: U.S. Navy sends 4 destroyers to Alaska coast after 11 Chinese, Russian warships spotted in nearby waters 

The U.S. Navy sent destroyers to the coast of Alaska last week after 11 Russian and Chinese warships were spotted patrolling nearby international waters. 

Sen. Dan Sullivan, a Republican from Alaska, called the size of the Chinese and Russian joint operation "unprecedented" and said the U.S. deployed four Navy destroyer ships near the Aleutian Islands in response. 

The destroyers were the USS John McCain, USS Benfold, USS John Finn and USS Chung-Hoon. 

U.S. aircraft were also in the area throughout the combined exercise, which the U.S. had been tracking since it began in July, according to U.S. officials. 

U.S. Coast Guard ships are also always in the area. U.S. Northern Command said the Chinese and Russian patrol remained in international waters and wasn't considered a threat. But the show of force is a reminder of the cooperation between the Chinese and Russian militaries – and of how close the countries are to Alaska. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: When US President Nixon went to China in 1973 the focus of US foreign policy was to make sure that Russia and China do not form a political and military alliance. But the times are changing, and this joint Chinese-Russian naval exercise is a symbol of that.

Sighhh ....

One of the legacies of the Biden administration will be on how botched up almost 50 years of US efforts and policies to make sure that such an alliance  did not form.

Four U.S. Navy Destroyers Sent To Alaska Coast After 11 Chinese, Russian Warships Spotted In Nearby Waters  

U.S. Navy encounters 11 Russian and Chinese military vessels operating off Alaskan coast -- UPI 

US military responded to Chinese and Russian vessels near Alaska -- CNN  

US dispatches warships after China and Russia send naval patrol near Alaska -- The Guardian  

US responds to China, Russia naval patrol near Alaska -- USA Today  

China, Russia send naval warships near Alaska, triggering forceful US response -- FOX News  

U.S. Navy destroyers dispatched to Aleutians after Chinese, Russian vessels spotted nearby -- Alaska News Source  

Russian and Chinese ships patrolled 'near Alaska' but were not 'a threat,' US officials say -- ABC News

Navies From China, Russia, And The U.S. Participating In The Komodo’ Naval Drills In The Indo-Pacific

Indonesia brings together the navies of the Russia, US, China, India, Pakistan and others for several days of drills in and around Sulawesi. 36 countries participating in the Komodo Multilateral Naval Exercise. @AJEnglish pic.twitter.com/XlU7tpHak8

— Jessica Washington (@JesWashington) June 6, 2023

Indonesia brings together the navies of the Russia, US, China, India, Pakistan and others for several days of drills in and around Sulawesi. 36 countries participating in the Komodo Multilateral Naval Exercise. @AJEnglish pic.twitter.com/XlU7tpHak8

— Jessica Washington (@JesWashington) June 6, 2023

EurAsian Times: In Rarest Of Rare Events, US, China, Russia Join Hands For ‘Komodo’ Naval Drills In The Indo-Pacific  

Although China and the United States are at loggerheads over various disputes, including Taiwan, their navies recently set aside their differences and participated in the ‘Komodo’ naval drills hosted by Indonesia. 

The drills kicked off on June 5 and included navies from the United States, Britain, China, Japan, Russia, and South Korea. South Asian foes, India and Pakistan, were also invited to the drills besides other nations. 

On its part, the Indonesian navy said in a statement that the regular Komodo drills were a “non-war” exercise that was aimed to “strengthen relationships between the navies” of 36 countries. 

The disaster response and humanitarian operations-focused Komodo drills appeared to be an opportunity to bring together representatives from the two sides. This is especially intriguing given that the two sides have had no contact since August last year. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: My gut tells me that after the Komodo naval exercises are over, it is going to be a very long time before we see the navies from China, Russia, and the US participating in the same military exercise. 

Navies From China, Russia, And The U.S. Participating In The Komodo’ Naval Drills In The Indo-Pacific  

Caught Between US & China, ‘Non Aligned’ ASEAN Holds One Of Biggest Naval Drills Involving ‘Everyone’ -- EurAsian Times  

Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo Returns -- Navy.mil  

China, US role in Komodo navy drills was ‘support for Indonesia’, not each other -- SCMP

South Africa, Russia, And China Conducting Joint Naval Exercises Off South Africa's East Coast

 

VOA: Russian Warship Drills with South African, Chinese Navies Amid Criticism 

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — Joint naval exercises including South Africa, Russia, and China get underway in waters off South Africa's east coast Friday, despite U.S. concerns and Ukrainian condemnation. Critics say the 10-day military drills will do little to benefit South Africa and act as a propaganda boost for Moscow on the one-year anniversary of its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. 

While the West is upping its arms shipments to help Ukraine fend off Russia’s invasion, South Africa begins wargames today with Russian warships that proudly support the offensive. 

Russia’s “Admiral Gorshkov,” which arrived in Cape Town this week, is marked with the Kremlin’s pro-war symbol, the letter 'Z.'  

Read more ....

 South Africa, Russia, And China Conducting Joint Naval Exercises Off South Africa's East Coast  

S.Africa's Navy Stages Controversial Exercises With China, Russia -- AFP  

Russia to test missile in drills with China and South Africa -- AP  

Russia to test hypersonic missile in drills with China, South Africa – a first for an international exercise -- FOX News  

Russia set for joint naval drills 'with hypersonic missile' as major security summit begins -- SKY News

South Africa: Russia-China drills strain ties with West -- DW  

South Africa's naval exercise with Russia, China raises Western alarm -- Reuters  

Why is South Africa's navy joining exercises with Russia and China? -- BBC

India And China Take Part In Joint Military Exercises With Russia

 

VOA: India and China to Take Part in Joint Military Drills with Russia  

India and China are among several countries taking part in Russia’s weeklong joint military drills scheduled to get underway on Thursday in the east of the country, according to Russia’s state-owned news agency Tass.

While India has previously taken part in multinational military drills in Russia — an Indian contingent was part of Zapad military exercises held in September 2021 — analysts say its participation in the “Vostok-2022” military exercises in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reaffirms New Delhi’s friendly ties with Moscow despite a tightening strategic partnership with the United States.  

Read more .... 

 India And China Take Part In Joint Military Exercises With Russia 

Chinese troops in Russia for war games as ties with West worsen -- SCMP  

Vostok 2022: Russian military joined by allies in major drills -- DW 

Russia, China begin military exercises as Moscow, Beijing strengthen ties -- FOX News  

Putin' on a brave face: Russia is forced to scale back its Vostok war games with China and sends just 50,000 troops compared to 300,000 four years ago after heavy losses in Ukraine -- Daily Mail  

Indian troops join Russian military exercise despite U.S. concerns -- Reuters  

Russia’s military drill with China, India: All you need to know -- Al Jazeera

Massive US Naval War Games In The Middle East Are Targeted At Iran

Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, center, receives a brief on the Ghost 4 UAV at Naval Support Activity Bahrain on Jan. 31, 2022, at the start of International Maritime Exercise 2022. (MC1 Mark Thomas Mahmod/U.S. Navy) 

James Stavridis, Asharq Al-Awsat/Bloomberg: Massive US War Games at Sea Have a Clear Target: Iran 

The US Navy is currently conducting one of the largest maritime exercises in recent history, with more than 60 nations taking part. 

Running through Feb. 17, the drills will cover waters off the Middle East, Southwest Asia and East Africa. Known as both Cutlass Express 2022 and International Maritime Exercise 2022 — or IMX-CE22 — the war games will encompass nearly 10,000 personnel, 50 warships and 80 unmanned systems. 

The drills will include practicing sea control (the ability to dominate the oceans and deny opponents open access); maritime domain awareness (tracking all contacts on the surface, below the surface, and in the airspace over the seas); mine countermeasures (especially in the narrow waters of the Strait of Hormuz); and anti-air warfare (such as increasing tactical capability against supersonic missiles). 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: These war-games started 2 weeks ago and will end tomorrow .... US Navy kicks off 60-nation maritime exercise in Middle East that includes unmanned, AI tech (Defense News).

U.S. Army Warns It Will Be Conducting Guerrilla War Exercises Against Seasoned “Freedom Fighters” Across Rural North Carolina Counties

Image: (K. Kassens/U.S. Army)  

The Charlotte Observer: Guerrilla war exercise to be fought across rural North Carolina counties, Army warns 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A “realistic” guerrilla war will be fought across two dozen North Carolina counties in the coming weeks, with young soldiers battling seasoned “freedom fighters,” according to the U.S. Army. 

The two-week “unconventional warfare exercise” will be staged Jan. 22-Feb. 4 on privately owned land. And it will be realistic enough to include the sounds of gunfire (blanks) and flares, the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School said in a news release. 

Exact times, locations and exercise specifics were not provided.

However, advance publicity is intended to make sure civilians — including law enforcement officers — don’t mistake the fighting for terrorism or criminal activity, which has happened in the past.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: While researching for this post this announcement caught my eye .... Justice Dept. creating unit focused on domestic terrorism (AP). 

I think it is a coincidence but the timing of both announcements is interesting. 

U.S. Army Warns It Will Be Conducting Guerrilla War Exercises Against Seasoned “Freedom Fighters” Across Rural North Carolina Counties  

US Army to ‘fight’ guerrilla freedom fighters in central North Carolina as part of ‘unconventional warfare exercise’ (FOX 8)  

Army to stage 'realistic' guerrilla war exercise in rural Carolinas (The Hill)  

Special Forces to conduct Robin Sage training exercise throughout region (Richmond Daily Journal)  

Guerrilla war across North Carolina but don't worry, it's just a very realistic drill (Boing Boing)

Thousands of Russian, Uzbek & Tajik Soldiers Complete Military Exercises Near The Afghanistan Border

 

RT: Thousands of Russian, Uzbek & Tajik troops rehearse turning back enemy offensive on Afghan border amid fears of Taliban incursions 

Large-scale wargames have been held in Tajikistan, bringing together soldiers from three former Soviet republics to practice targeting enemy combatants and securing the border with neighboring Afghanistan, as the US withdraws. 

On Tuesday, the commander of Russia’s Central Military District, which helped to organize the drills, told TASS that the battle simulations were an important part of “protecting our countries from military aggression” in an increasingly unstable part of the world.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: These exercises are going to be a regular event .... Russia to hold joint drills on Afghan border on regular basis — defense chief (TASS). 

More News On Russian, Uzbek & Tajik Soldiers Completing Military Exercises Near The Afghanistan Border  

Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan Thousands of Russian, Uzbek & Tajik troops -- TASS  

Russia and its Central Asian allies hold joint military drills on Afghanistan border -- The Independent  

Russia Wraps Up War Games Near Afghan Border -- Moscow Times/AFP  

Russia showcases new arms at drill near Afghan border -- Reuters

China-Russia Conduct Military Drills In North-Central China

 

Reuters: Russia, China hold large-scale joint military drills 

MOSCOW, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Russia and China are holding a large-scale joint military exercise in north-central China involving more than 10,000 troops, Russia's defence ministry said on Tuesday. 

The Sibu/Cooperation-2021 drills in China's Ningxia region are being watched for signs that China and Russia are expanding military cooperation as they spar with the West. 

Russia's Kommersant newspaper said the drills taking place until Friday marked the first time Russian soldiers would use Chinese weapons. Russia and China have conducted drills since 2005. 

Moscow sent Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter aircraft, motorised rifle units and air defence systems to the exercise that was focused on counter-terrorism, the defence ministry said in a statement.  

Read more .... 

More News On China-Russia Conducting Military Drills In North-Central China 

Chinese, Russian militaries hold drills in northwest China -- AP  

Russia, China Kick Off Joint Military Drills -- Moscow Times 

China, Russia Showcase Growing Ties With Joint Military Exercises -- RFE 

J-20 fighter jets highlight China-Russia joint strategic drills opening -- Global Times  

China and Russia hold large-scale joint military drills -- Al Jazeera  

WW3 fears as China and Russia join forces for massive war games with 10,000 troops in chilling message to the West -- The SUN

US And Japan Conduct Joint Military Exercises And War Games With A China - Taiwan Conflict In Mind

US Marine Corps/Cpl. Drew Tech 

Daily Express: US and Japan execute military exercises - fears of conflict with China over Taiwan surge 

THE US and Japan have conducted joint military exercises and war games as possible preparation for conflict with China over Taiwan. 

Allied armed forces are conducting war training around the uninhabited Senkaku Islands, located 330 km (205 miles) from China and controlled by Japan. 

This revelation by The Financial Times comes a week after Japan's Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi announced that the security of Taiwan is tied directly to Japan. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: I expect more of these exercises in the future. 

More News On The US And Japan Conducting Joint Military Exercises  

US and Japan conduct war games amid rising China-Taiwan tensions (Financial Times)  

US and Japan step up military exercises in South China Sea (The Times)  

US, Japan Reportedly Conduct 'Top Secret War Games', Plan For Possible Taiwan Conflict (Sputnik)

Ukraine And NATO Launch Joint Black Sea Drills

Sea Breeze 2021 will last two weeks and involve about 5,000 military personnel from NATO and other allies, and approximately 30 ships and 40 aircraft [File: Ukrainian Defence Ministry/Handout via Reuters]  

DW: US and allies begin large-scale naval drill in Black Sea 

The biggest ever "Sea Breeze" exercises come days after Russia said its navy had fired warning shots against a British warship to chase it out of Black Sea waters. 

A total of 32 countries began conducting military exercises in the Black Sea Monday, despite sharp criticism from Russia. 

The US and Ukraine are leading the "Sea Breeze" drills. 

They are scheduled to last for two weeks, according to the US military. Ukrainian navy commander Oleksiy Neizhpapa said during an opening ceremony in Odessa that the exercises would send a "powerful message to maintain stability and peace in our region." 

But the Russian Foreign Ministry described the exercises as a provocation and alleged that they were being used to transport weapons and military equipment into Ukraine.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The Russians are watching .... Black Sea Fleet monitors US destroyer entering Black Sea - Russian Defense Ministry (TASS).

More News On Ukraine And NATO Launching Joint Black Sea Drills  

Ukraine, NATO launch joint Black Sea drills -- AP  

Ukraine, U.S. to start Black Sea military drills despite Russian protest -- Reuters 

Multinational Naval Drills Kick Off In Black Sea After Incident Between Russia And U.K. Destroyer -- RFE  

Ukraine-US Black Sea military drills raise hackles in Russia -- TRT  

Ukraine, US launch Black Sea drills despite Russian protest -- Al Jazeera  

Russia says monitoring Black Sea military drills involving U.S., Ukraine - RIA -- Reuters

Russia Launches Military Exercies In The Mediterranean

 

Daily Mail: Russia launches military manoeuvres in the Mediterranean after warning UK it will defend its borders using ‘all possible means’ following HMS Defender incident 

 * Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the country would defend its territorial waters and borders using 'all possible means' 

 * Moscow has warned Britain it would bomb British naval vessels in Black Sea 

 * HMS Defender sailed within the 12-mile zone of Crimea which Russia claims is their waters 

 * West does not accept Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea by military force 

Russia on Friday launched sweeping military manoeuvres in the Mediterranean Sea just hours after warning the UK it will defend its borders using 'all possible means' following an incident with British destroyer HMS Defender in the Black Sea. 

The military drills, featuring warplanes capable of carrying hypersonic missiles and several warships, come as a British carrier strike group is in the area. 

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkob on Friday warned Britain and the US that Russia will defend its borders using 'all possible means' including military force and accused the two countries of trying to incite conflict in the Black Sea.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Here are the implications from these war-games .... Russia's Posture in the Mediterranean: Implications for NATO and Europe (Carnegie Europe). 

More News On Russia Launching Military Exercises In The Mediterranean  

Russian Navy & Air Force begin major exercise in Mediterranean Sea as supersonic interceptor planes join country's Black Sea Fleet -- RT

Russia sends fighter jets capable of firing hypersonic ‘Kinzhal’ missile to Syria for first time as part of Mediterranean training -- RT  

Russian naval ships, aircraft kick off drills in Mediterranean -- TASS  

MiG-31K fighters join Russian Navy’s maneuvers in Mediterranean -- TASS  

Russia Deploys 'Invincible' Kinzhal Hypersonic Missile-Capable Jets for Syria War Games -- Moscow Times  

Russia launches Mediterranean drills amid rift with Britain -- ABC News/AP  

Russia launches drills in Mediterranean amid tensions with UK -- The Hill  

Russia launches Mediterranean drills amid rift with UK -- Al Jazeera

Russian Navy Fleet Practice Sinking U.S. Aircraft Carriers 35 Miles Off The Coast Of Hawaii

Unconfirmed satellite imagery suggested the Russians were far closer to Hawaii than believed  

Daily Mail: Russian fleet 35 miles off Hawaii practices sinking an AIRCRAFT CARRIER as US Navy strike group moves into the area and F-22 stealth fighters in Pearl Harbor are placed on standby 

* Russian forces are currently carrying out the largest war games since Cold War 

* At least 20 Russian warships, submarines, and support vessels, flanked by 20 fighter jets, are taking part in the exercises 

* Twice the U.S. has been forced to scramble F-22s to see what is happening 

* On June 17 the U.S. Navy admitted a carrier strike group had moved to the area 

* The Pentagon is watching the Russian maneuvers extremely carefully 

* They come after Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin met in Geneva last week 

* Both men have admitted that relations between their countries are at a low 

Russia's defense ministry has announced it sunk an aircraft carrier just 35 miles off the coast of Hawaii in a huge war games exercise that has alarmed the US. 

At least 20 Russian warships, submarines, and support vessels, flanked by 20 fighter jets, are taking part in the exercises - the biggest since the Cold War. 

Russia says that they are 300 miles off the coast of Hawaii, yet unconfirmed satellite images from June 19 appear to show them much closer - within 35 miles of the U.S. state.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This Russian naval exercise has ended .... Russian naval exercise ends as spy ship remains in Hawaii area (Honolulu Star-Advertiser) 

More News On The Russian Navy Fleet Practicing The Sinking U.S. Aircraft Carriers 35 Miles Off The Coast Of Hawaii  

Russia Practices Destroying Enemy Carriers In Pacific Drills Sending U.S. Alarm Bells Ringing -- Warzone/The Drive  

Military: Russian ships came within 30 nautical miles of Hawaii during exercise -- Hawaii News Now  

US fighter jets respond to Russian planes flying towards Hawaii -- The Independent  

Russia ‘sinks AIRCRAFT CARRIER’ near Hawaii as US Navy strike group heads to region and fighter jets on standby -- The SUN  

Seven Russian Warships Are Doing Something Weird Near Hawaii -- Popular Mechanics  

Russian Warships Practice Sinking Aircraft Carrier 35 Miles Off Hawaii Coast As US Places F22s On Standby -- Zero Hedge

Largest US Naval Exercise In A Generation To Be Held Late Summer

Forty-two ships and submarines representing 15 international partner nations maneuver into a close formation during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Shannon Renfroe)  

The Hill: Biggest Navy Exercise in a Generation Will Include 25,000 Personnel Across 17 Time Zones 

Tens of thousands of sailors and Marines will participate in the biggest U.S. naval exercise in a generation to test how the services will fight across vast distances as they prepare for possible conflict with China or Russia. 

Aircraft carriers, submarines, planes, unmanned vessels, and about 25,000 personnel will participate in Large Scale Exercise 2021, which will begin in late summer. 

The massive exercise will span 17 time zones with sailors and Marines in the U.S., Africa, Europe and the Pacific joining. Live forces will participate in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.  

Read more .... 

Update: Largest US Naval Exercise In A Generation Will Prepare For "Future Conflict With China Or Russia" (Zero Hedge)  

WNU Editor: Only 25,000 personnel will be involved. A very small number when compared to the military exercises that were done during the Cold War. But this is the trend .... bigger and more complex exercises with all of them being done to send a message to China and Russia.

U.S., Japan Begin Joint Military Drills

U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships steam in formation as part of a photo exercise on the final day of Keen Sword 2011. The exercise enhances the Japan-U.S. alliance which remains a key strategic relationship in the Northeast Asia Pacific region. Keen Sword caps the 50th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. alliance as an "alliance of equals." (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jacob D. Moore) 

Newsweek: U.S., Japan Begin Joint Military Drills after China Enters Japanese Waters 

The U.S. and Japan have kicked off computer-based naval drills focused on ballistic missiles defense days after Chinese vessels entered Japanese waters near a disputed island chain, raising tensions in East Asia as President Joe Biden works to create unified China and North Korea strategies with regional American allies. 

The U.S. 7th Fleet, headquartered in Japan and responsible for operations in East Asia, announced on Monday that the Resilient Shield 2021 exercises would run from February 22 to February 26 at more than 77 American and Japanese command centers. 

The annual computer-based drill is designed to test joint tactics used to face regional threats—the most pressing of which are China and North Korea—and ensure that both American and Japanese forces are "well-rehearsed," in them, a fleet statement said. 

"Resilient Shield serves to enhance cooperation and further integrate the unmatched missile defense capabilities of Japan and the United States," said Captain Leslie Sobol, the director of the fleet's Task Force Integrated Air and Missile Defense.

Read more .... 

WNU editor: Here is the official US Navy announcement .... US Forces, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Participate in Resilient Shield 2021 (Navy.mil). These are computer-based naval drills focused on ballistic missiles defense that will involve 77 American and Japanese command centers.

Massive U.S. Naval Drills Will Include Multiple Carriers And Amphibious Ready Groups In 2021

The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) steams alongside the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), background, in the Mediterranean Sea, April 24, 2019. US Navy Photo 

USNI News: Massive 2021 U.S. Naval Drills Will Include Multiple Carriers and Amphibious Ready Groups 

The Navy and Marine Corps plan to conduct a large scale exercise involving multiple strike groups and multiple numbered fleets next year, after the original plans for a Large Scale Exercise 2020 this year were postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 

The chief of naval operations and commandant of the Marine Corps said today that Large Scale Exercise 2021 would be the first major live test of the Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO), Littoral Operations in a Contested Environment (LOCE) and Expeditionary Advance Base Operations (EABO) concepts that are driving the bulk of their ongoing budget and acquisition decisions. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: No details on how many ships will be used and when the exercise/drills will take place. But it sounds like it will be massive.