Mine warfare forces from the US and Japan began an annual mine clearing exercise in waters surrounding northern Japan, the Navy said in a press release on Monday

The US assault ship America, built to accommodate the Marine Corp's vertical takeoff and landing version of the fifth generation F-35 fighter jet, joined the US 7th Fleet in Sasebo Japan after transiting the Pacific Ocean, the Navy announced in a press release on Monday

The United States is sending two warships to the 7th Fleet, both capable of transporting Marines throughout the Indo-Pacific while providing takeoff and landing platforms for the F-35B fighter jet, the US Navy announced in a press release on Friday