It was reported that the maneuver would involve huge forces including super-large nuclear-powered carrier "George Washington" belonging to the 7th fleet of the U.S. imperialists, Aegis destroyers and nuclear-powered submarines.

The warmongers openly disclosed their scenario to escalate the confrontation with the DPRK, blustering that their action taken to move up the date for the start of the maneuver to the beginning of June from late in the month would serve what they said "a strong message to the north" and "a warning to it".