Guam: A joint anti-submarine drill by the South Korean and U.S. navies has reinforced their combined efforts to maintain security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, according to a U.S. military official Thursday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the allies conducted the biennial drill called Silent Shark in waters off Guam from Nov. 18 to Dec. 11, as detailed on a website of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).

South Korea's 3,000-ton ROKS Ahn Mu submarine and a U.S. fast-attack submarine, USS Springfield, were involved in the drill. "Being forward-deployed gives us unique, hands-on opportunities to work directly with our allies," said Cmdr. Greg Storer, commanding officer of the USS Springfield, according to the USFK website.

Cmdr. Storer emphasized the importance of exercises like Silent Shark, which play a critical role in strengthening operational readiness, enhancing interoperability, and reinforcing combined efforts to maintain stability and security across the Indo-Pacific.