In the largest naval exercise in a decade, the USS Nimitz, USS Ronald Reagan and USS Theodore Roosevelt strike groups will soon join forces in the Pacific, Reuters first reported Monday. In 2007, the USS Nimitz, USS John C. Stennis and USS Kitty Hawk carrier strike groups joined forces in combined drills near Guam. The Reuters report added that a Japanese destroyer, the Inazuma, will join the US maneuvers.

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On Wednesday, the Pentagon officially announced that the three strike carrier groups will jointly conduct drills forces from Saturday to Tuesday.

“It is a rare opportunity to train with two aircraft carriers together, and even rarer to be able to train with three,” Admiral Scott Swift, the US Pacific Fleet commander, said in a statement. “Multiple carrier strike force operations are very complex, and this exercise in the Western Pacific is a strong testament to the US Pacific Fleet's unique ability and ironclad commitment to the continued security and stability of the region.” 

The four-day exercises will focus on carrying out air defense drills, sea surveillance, and replenishments at sea. The drills will also include rehearsing defensive air combat training and close-in coordinated maneuvers.

"Units assigned to the strike force will conduct coordinated operations in international waters in order to demonstrate the US Navy's unique capability to operate multiple carrier strike groups as a coordinated strike force effort," the 7th Fleet command said in a statement.

News of the upcoming maneuvers emerged as US President Donald Trump continues his 11-day Asia tour. The trip is aimed at pushing the international community to apply maximum pressure on Pyongyang over its nuclear and ballistic programs.

Trump kicked off his trip by visiting Japan and South Korea. The US president is currently in China where he is keeping the focus on North Korea and trade imbalances. Trump will stop in Vietnam Friday, before flying to the Philippines Sunday.