US & Japan launch major military exercise to prove ‘growing strength’ of their alliance — RT

 Tokyo and Washington have kicked off a combined naval, land and air drill aiming to show their readiness to “fight and win” despite Covid-19. Beijing has been warning that such activities lead to more tensions.

The ‘Keen Sword’ drill, which is held every two years, involves around 46,000 troops, including 9,000 American personnel, as well as dozens of warships from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.

The training will include amphibious landings on several smaller Japanese islands, as well as activities on Okinawa, according to a statement by the US Pacific Fleet. The naval part of the drill, which is expected to continue until November 5, will be conducted in Japan’s territorial waters.