Latest news with #FranklynGuage
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- General
- Newsweek
US Aircraft Carrier Holds 'Warfighting' Drills on China's Doorstep
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A United States nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was conducting operations in the contested South China Sea, the Navy said, to showcase its ability to maintain warfighting advantages. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment by email. Why It Matters A naval strike group led by USS Nimitz—the oldest U.S. aircraft carrier in active service—has been operating in the South China Sea, where sovereignty claims by several countries overlap, since late May as part of its regularly scheduled deployment to the western Pacific. Meanwhile, China has deployed both of its two operational aircraft carriers to waters beyond the First Island Chain—an island defense line formed by Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines as part of a U.S. maritime containment strategy intended to restrict China's naval activities. What To Know The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group conducted "maritime security operations"—including flight operations, maritime strike exercises, and tactical training between surface and air units—in the South China Sea on Wednesday, according to the aircraft carrier's public affairs officer. A United States Navy F/A-18E fighter jet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 5, 2025. A United States Navy F/A-18E fighter jet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 5, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Franklyn Guage/U.S. Navy "Carrier operations in the South China Sea are part of the U.S. Navy's routine presence in the Indo-Pacific," the press release stated. U.S. warships frequently operate in the South China Sea to maintain freedom of navigation, challenging excessive maritime claims by regional countries. Rear Admiral Fred Goldhammer, commander of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, said the deployment aims to build proficiency and conduct flight operations supporting the "full spectrum of operations," adding that the unit operates "wherever international law allows." The Nimitz's deployment in the South China Sea follows a warning from U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about China's threats in the Indo-Pacific region. He said the East Asian power seeks nothing less than hegemony and is increasingly willing to resort to force. In response to Hegseth's remarks on the South China Sea, the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. of being the "primary factor" undermining peace and stability, while claiming that there has never been any problem with freedom of navigation and overflight. A United States Navy F/A-18E fighter jet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 6, 2025. A United States Navy F/A-18E fighter jet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 6, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew C. Wolf/U.S. Navy What People Are Saying Rear Admiral Fred Goldhammer, commander of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, said in a press release on Wednesday: "We are doing more than ever to strengthen peace, stability, and deterrence across the Indo-Pacific." The public affairs officer of USS Nimitz said in a press release on Wednesday: "The operations include both day and night flight evolutions. These activities support maritime security, enhance interoperability with regional partners, and maintain the U.S. Navy's ability to project power across the theater." An unnamed spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on June 1: "China has always been committed to working with countries concerned to properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, while safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with laws and regulations." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the Nimitz will head toward the broader western Pacific after concluding its operations in the South China Sea to counter the two Chinese aircraft carriers.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Satellite Photo Shows US Aircraft Carrier in Pacific Rivalry With China
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States aircraft carrier USS Nimitz continues to operate in the South China Sea, satellite imagery shows, as the Chinese navy expands its presence in the Pacific Ocean. The Seventh Fleet—the largest of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed fleets, with more than 50 vessels and 150 aircraft—delivers "combat-credible forces" in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans alongside the U.S.'s allies and partners, the Fleet said in a statement to Newsweek. Newsweek has also contacted the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters The Nimitz began its "regularly scheduled deployment" to the western Pacific Ocean in late March—likely its final overseas mission before decommissioning. After a brief transit in the Strait of Malacca, the nuclear-powered warship returned to the South China Sea in late May. United States Navy sailors checking the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 2. United States Navy sailors checking the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 2. Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Franklyn Guage/U.S. Navy The U.S. aircraft carrier deployment in the South China Sea, where China's territorial claims overlap those of other regional countries, comes as the Chinese navy—the world's largest by hull count—has two aircraft carriers operating simultaneously in the broader western Pacific. What To Know According to satellite imagery captured on Sunday and shared by open-source intelligence researcher @MT_Anderson on X, formerly Twitter, the Nimitz was spotted operating in the West Philippine Sea, about 167 miles northeast of the disputed Scarborough Shoal. 🇺🇸Carrier Strike Group 11🇺🇸 CVN-68 is back in the West Philippine Sea, operating ~270km NE of 🇵🇭Scarborough Shoal (8 June 2025) Along with her are likely 2x Arleigh Burkes and potentially 1x 🇦🇺Hobart Class (?) Length is in the correct range and it doesn't look like a PLAN… — MT Anderson (@MT_Anderson) June 9, 2025 The maritime feature, under China's control since 2012, lies about 138 miles west of Luzon Island in the northern Philippines. Manila uses the term "West Philippine Sea" to refer to the portion of the South China Sea that falls within its 230-mile-wide exclusive economic zone. The most recently released official photos, taken on June 2, show the Nimitz underway in the South China Sea. The aircraft carrier's deployment demonstrates the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, according to a photo caption. Meanwhile, the second American aircraft carrier deployed in the western Pacific Ocean, USS George Washington, was spotted departing its home port at Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo, Japan's capital, on Tuesday, according to photos taken by a local ship spotter. The George Washington returned to Yokosuka on June 4 following "routine operations" in nearby waters. The aircraft carrier and its naval aviators are preparing for their first patrol since returning to Japan—a U.S. ally—for a forward deployment almost eight months ago. What People Are Saying The U.S. Seventh Fleet said in a statement to Newsweek: "Every day the U.S. Pacific Fleet operates to protect the security, freedom, and prosperity for the United States and our allies and partners, reflecting our commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region." The Seventh Fleet is one of two fleets—along with the Third Fleet—that report to the Pacific Fleet, whose command area extends from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean. U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Maximilian Clark, the commander of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, said in April: "Operating forward as a strike group hones our ability to maintain persistent and capable forces at sea, always ready to provide our leaders with a broad spectrum of military capabilities to respond to any crisis or contingency." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the Nimitz will depart the South China Sea for the Philippine Sea—located east of the Philippines—to conduct operations with the George Washington.
