Roosevelt, Nimitz strike groups conduct operations in South China Sea
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he Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group transits in formation with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in the South China Sea Tuesday. Photo by Deirdre Marsac/U.S. Navy
Feb. 9 (UPI) The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group conducted dual carrier operations with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in the South China Sea Tuesday.
According to the Navy, the ships and aircraft of the two strike groups conducted a multitude of exercises aimed at increasing interoperability between assets.
Advertisement Training with Carrier Strike Group Eleven in the South China Sea is a tremendously valuable opportunity, Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo, commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine, said. Through operations like this, we ensure that we are tactically proficient to meet the challenge of maintaining peace and we are able to continue to show our partners and allies in the region that we are committed to promoting a F
U.S. Navy
Two U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups conducted dual operations in the South China Sea on Tuesday, the latest in a series of U.S. military maneuvers in those turbulent waters.
In a sign of growing international pushback against China’s expansive claims and assertive behavior, French Defense Minister Florence Parly also confirmed Monday that a French nuclear attack submarine and an accompanying support ship had recently completed a patrol in the South China Sea.
The operations point to the expanding role of non-claimant states in the South China Sea, which is contested by China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia.
(AFP / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
This comes as two US carrier groups conducted military exercises in the disputed South China, locally referred to as the West Philippine Sea, in what is seen as show force in the area which China has been claiming.
In a telephone conversation with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday, Feb. 10,, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III cited the importance of upholding the Philippines-US alliance through the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), and the Agreement Regarding the Treatment of US Armed Forces Visiting the Philippines (VFA).
“The Secretaries covered the security situation in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea (WPS/SCS), particularly on the capability upgrades of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),” the DND said in a statement.
U.S. Navy photo / Elliot Schaudt
Two U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups conducted dual operations in the South China Sea on Tuesday, the latest in a series of U.S. military maneuvers in those turbulent waters.
In a sign of growing international pushback against China’s expansive claims and assertive behavior, French Defense Minister Florence Parly confirmed Monday that a French nuclear attack submarine and an accompanying support ship recently completed a patrol in the South China Sea.
The operations point to the expanding role of non-claimant states in the South China Sea, which is contested by China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia.
The mission was the first dual-carrier operation to take place in the South China Sea since last July.
The presence of US forces in the contested waters also comes just days after the USS John S McCain destroyer sailed near to the Paracel Islands.
The US navy said the vessels were conducting a “freedom of navigation operation” in order to maintain peace in the region.
Most notably it was also the first time a US operation had taken place in the waterways since Joe Biden was inaugurated as US President.
The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group was deployed to the South China Sea (Image: GETTY)