The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is in the South China Sea and the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group is operating in the Sulu Sea, according to the USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker. Meanwhile, the People’s Liberation Army Navy Shandong Carrier Strike Group continues its training patrol in the Pacific.
The Nimitz CSG is operating in the South China Sea, conducting training among surface, air, and undersea assets, as well as flight operations with fixed and rotary wing aircraft, according to a Navy news release issued Sunday.
“The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is fulfilling a promise to our allies and partners in the region – we aren’t going anywhere,” Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney, the commander of Carrier Strike Group 1, said in the release. “Our presence in the region reinforces open sea lines of communication and the rules-based international order. Our commitment to our allies and partners in the region remains ironclad as we promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
This is the third time the CSG has operated in the South China Sea during its deployment to the Indo-Pacific, the release noted.
The Nimitz CSG deployed from the West Coast on Dec. 3 and entered U.S. 7th Fleet on Dec. 16. It was previously operating in the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea after departing the port of Busan, Korea on April 2 following a port visit. The CSG joined a trilateral exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Republic of Korea Navy in the East China Sea in early April.
By: Dzirhan Mahadzir