# US-South Korea-Japan trilateral military exercises > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-south-korea-japan-trilateral-military-exercises > Updated: 2026-09-07T00:34:45.000Z. Sources: 58. Developments: 3. The United States, South Korea, and Japan have commenced the ‘Freedom Edge 2026’ trilateral military exercise, running from September 7 to September 11. This fourth iteration of the multi-domain drills is taking place in international waters east and south of Jeju Island. The exercise is designed to enhance joint operational and response capabilities across maritime, air, and cyber domains, with a specific focus on strengthening integrated air and missile defense. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the drills are defensive in nature, aiming to bolster deterrence against North Korean nuclear and missile threats. The naval component involves six surface combatants, including Aegis-equipped destroyers, alongside maritime patrol aircraft, fighter jets, helicopters, and refueling aircraft. Notably, this year’s exercise is being conducted without the presence of a U.S. aircraft carrier, utilizing surface combatants and tactical aviation instead. Specific deployments include South Korea’s ROKS Yulgok Yi I and ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong destroyers, alongside Japan’s Atago-class and Asahi-class destroyers. The scheduled exercise follows a period of changes to regional military activities, including a reduction in the scale of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) bilateral exercises. While North Korea has historically characterized such trilateral drills as ‘war rehearsals’ or a ‘reckless show of strength,’ the Joint Chiefs of Staff emphasized that these operations are conducted in accordance with international law and norms to maintain regional stability amid ongoing concerns regarding North Korea and China. ## Claims - The United States, Japan, and South Korea have commenced the Freedom Edge 2026 trilateral military exercise. (disputed by 12 sources) - The Freedom Edge 2026 exercise is the fourth of its kind and is scheduled to run from September 7 to September 11. (disputed by 2 sources) - The Freedom Edge exercise is a defensive annual drill intended to counter North Korean nuclear and missile threats and maintain regional stability. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The drills will be held in international waters east and south of Jeju Island. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The multi-domain exercise will include maritime missile defense, air and air-defense drills, anti-submarine warfare, and cyber defense. (corroborated by 18 sources) - President Donald Trump ordered the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises to be shortened from 11 days to five. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The Freedom Edge exercise was first held in June 2024 following a 2023 agreement at the Camp David summit. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The drills involve six Aegis-equipped destroyers, maritime patrol aircraft, and fighter jets. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-07: US, Japan, and South Korea launch Freedom Edge 2026 military drills The U.S., Japan, and South Korea have begun the Freedom Edge 2026 trilateral military exercise near Jeju Island to enhance regional deterrence and multidomain security cooperation. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-us-and-japan-launch-freedom-edge-military-drills ### 2026-08-28: South Korea, US, and Japan to hold Freedom Edge military drills in September South Korea, the US, and Japan will hold the Freedom Edge trilateral military exercise from September 7-11 near Jeju Island to counter North Korean missile and nuclear threats. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-south-korea-and-japan-announce-freedom-edge-military-exercise ### 2026-08-26: US, South Korea, and Japan to hold Freedom Edge drills in September The U.S., South Korea, and Japan will hold trilateral ‘Freedom Edge’ military drills from Sept. 7-11 near Jeju Island, despite President Trump’s recent orders to scale back bilateral U.S.-South Korea exercises. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-south-korea-and-japan-to-hold-trilateral-freedom-edge-drill-in-september --- Cite as: US-South Korea-Japan trilateral military exercises. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-south-korea-japan-trilateral-military-exercises