10
Loading video...
By Ryan Chan
China News Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A United States nuclear-powered aircraft carrier capable of operating F-35C stealth fighter jets recently conducted what the Navy called "regular patrols" in the South China Sea, where China and neighboring nations have unresolved maritime disputes.
In photos released on Wednesday, USS Abraham Lincoln was seen conducting flight operations in the South China Sea. The U.S. Navy said the deployment helped "deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance peace through strength."
The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Read More on World
Why It Matters
China has made sweeping claims over most of the South China Sea based on what it calls "historic rights," which overlap with claims by other regional countries—including the Philippines, a U.S. mutual defense treaty ally—and often lead to clashes at sea.
Facing China's maritime threat, including the world's largest navy by hull count, in the western Pacific, the U.S. regularly deploys aircraft carriers to the region to maintain its military presence and signal its security commitment to allied and partner countries.
The continuous U.S. naval operations in the South China Sea align with the national security strategy, which calls for a buildup of military capabilities to deny aggression "anywhere in the First Island Chain," which consists of Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.
...
What To Know
Officially released photos show the Abraham Lincoln, which has been on deployment since leaving its home port in San Diego in late November, launching multiple aircraft—including the F-35C Lightning II—in the South China Sea on Sunday.
The F-35C jet, specifically designed for aircraft carrier operations, is one of three F-35 variants. The F-35A operates from conventional runways, and the F-35B is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings from naval ships such as amphibious assault ships.
Other aircraft deployed aboard the Abraham Lincoln included F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets and EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft, Navy images showed.
"The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations," the Navy wrote in photo captions. The 7th Fleet is responsible for U.S. naval operations across the western Pacific and Indian Ocean.
Prior to its deployment in the South China Sea, the Abraham Lincoln operated in the Philippine Sea, including a scheduled visit to Guam—the westernmost U.S. territory—in mid-December to enhance mission readiness and prepare for maritime operations.
...
The aircraft carrier was deployed with three destroyers—USS Spruance, USS Michael Murphy and USS Frank E. Petersen Jr.—demonstrating U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, said Rear Admiral Todd Whalen, the commander of the strike group.
Meanwhile, the U.S. amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, capable of operating F-35B and F-35C jets, respectively, remained at their assigned home ports in Japan this week, the U.S. Naval Institute News reported.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Navy said in a December news release: "[Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group] is conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region."
The U.S. national security strategy said: "We will build a military capable of denying aggression anywhere in the First Island Chain. … A related security challenge is the potential for any competitor to control the South China Sea. This could allow a potentially hostile power to impose a toll system over one of the world's most vital lanes of commerce or—worse—to close and reopen it at will."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen how long the Abraham Lincoln will remain in the South China Sea before a possible redeployment to the Middle East, as President Donald Trump has suggested he may intervene in Iran if Tehran cracks down violently on protesters.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines