Japanese fighter jets to join U.S. carrier-based jets in joint exercise

TOKYO, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Japanese fighter jets will conduct a joint drill with planes based on the United States aircraft carrier Carl Vinson on Wednesday afternoon, Kyodo News quoted Japan's Air Self-Defense Force as saying.

Two F-15s based in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, will participate in the drill with two carrier-based U.S. Navy F/A-18s over waters east of Okinawa, the ASDF said.

The ASDF also said two Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers, the Samidare and the Ashigara, which departed from Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture last week, will also take part in the exercise.

The Carl Vinson and other U.S. navy ships will also be joining the exercise, said the ASDF.