US begins rare war games off Guam

As tensions with North Korea rise, three US aircraft carriers filled the skies with fighters on June 20 for one of the largest US military exercises in decades off the small island of Guam in the Pacific. The maneuvers, dubbed "Valiant Shield," bring three carriers together in the Pacific for the first time since the Vietnam War. Some 30 ships, 280 aircraft and 22,000 troops participated in the five-day war games. The exercises are intended to boost the ability of the Navy, Air Force and Marines to work together and respond quickly to potential contingencies in this part of the world, US military officials said. Even Coast Guard vessels were participating. "The exercises are taking place on land, sea, air, space and cyberspace," said Senior Master Sgt. Charles Ramey. "They cover the whole spectrum." Military officials had no comment on the activity in North Korea, or on what specific tactics or scenarios are being used in the exercises. They stress that the exercises have been opened to outside observation and are not intended to provoke North Korea. "These exercises are not aimed at any one nation," said Cmdr. Mike Brown.