US Deploys Warship As Russian and Chinese Naval Flotilla Approaches Alaska

Newsweek

3 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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A United States warship has been deployed in the North Pacific Ocean as a naval flotilla of Russian and Chinese vessels approached Alaska's outlying islands during a joint patrol.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Third Fleet confirmed to Newsweek on Wednesday that the destroyer USS Carl M. Levin was underway for "routine operations," adding that the Navy frequently operates in the North Pacific Ocean to "support maritime homeland defense."
Newsweek has emailed both the Russian and Chinese foreign ministries for comment.
The United States destroyer USS Carl M. Levin conducts operations in the North Pacific Ocean on August 12, 2025.
The United States destroyer USS Carl M. Levin conducts operations in the North Pacific Ocean on August 12, 2025.
U.S. Navy
Why It Matters
Russia and China have formed a quasi-alliance under their so-called "partnership without limitations," as they seek to challenge the U.S. by deepening cooperation and coordination in all issues, including military and security.
Moscow and Beijing commenced a naval patrol in the Asia-Pacific region last week. Ships from both countries reached a Russian port in the Far East region, as reported on Tuesday, approximately 575 miles from Attu, the westernmost island in Alaska's Aleutian Islands.
The joint patrol comes as China has deployed five research vessels in Arctic waters near Alaska, bolstering its presence in the region. Meanwhile, a presidential meeting between the U.S. and Russia over the Ukraine war is scheduled to take place in Alaska on Friday.
What To Know
The deployment of the Carl M. Levin was first revealed in a set of four photos released by the U.S. Navy between Tuesday and Wednesday, showing the destroyer conducting operations in undisclosed waters in the North Pacific between July 30 and August 6.
"The U.S. Navy frequently conducts exercises and operations in the North Pacific Ocean to maintain readiness, refine tactics, deter conflict, and support maritime homeland defense," one of the photo captions reads, without further explanation of "homeland defense."
On Wednesday, the Navy released another photo—taken the previous day—of the Carl M. Levin during its deployment. Sailors were seen observing an undisclosed land area.
"An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations," according to the photo caption.
Evergreen Intel, an open-source intelligence analyst on the social media platform X, told Newsweek that the photo was geolocated near Adak Island, part of the Aleutian Islands. The warship had presumably just left the Port of Adak and was heading north, the analyst said.
Meanwhile, news outlet The Alaska Landmine shared a photo—taken from Adak Island—on Tuesday, reporting that an unidentified destroyer appeared to be transiting near the island.
There appears to be a destroyer near Adak! Likely means a carrier strike group is nearby. pic.twitter.com/YDbdh1zApZ — The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) August 13, 2025
Following its commissioning in 2023, the Carl M. Levin has been based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. During an air and missile defense test two years ago, the warship demonstrated its capabilities by intercepting two short-range ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles.
Prior to its ongoing deployment in the North Pacific, the Carl M. Levin participated in Los Angeles Fleet Week in late May. It later visited the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Port Hueneme, California, to undergo an assessment and inspection.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Third Fleet wrote in a photo caption on Wednesday: "U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region."
The U.S. Northern Command told Newsweek on Monday: "[North American Aerospace Defense Command] and [U.S. Northern Command] are monitoring the five Chinese vessels operating in the Arctic. Although the vessels are operating in international waters and are not considered a Homeland Defense threat, their numbers represent an increase from years past."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether the Russian and Chinese naval vessels conducting the joint patrol will sail north toward the Bering Sea, which borders Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.