Latest news with #U.S.SeventhFleet
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Warship Challenged Beijing's South China Sea Claims, Navy Says
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 destroyer recently conducted a freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea, challenging claims by China and other countries, the Navy told Newsweek. The U.S. naval operation took place near the Spratly Islands, a cluster of islands claimed by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei. The U.S. Navy said the operation was specifically intended to challenge restrictions on passage by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. Newsweek also reached out to the Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese defense ministries outside of normal business hours on Monday by email for comment. Why It Matters The U.S. military has been maintaining its presence in the South China Sea—where China's sovereignty claims overlap with those of other countries—to uphold lawful use of the sea and international airspace, including the rights of freedom of navigation and overflight. The news of the recent U.S. freedom of navigation operation comes amid reports of a Chinese bomber deployment to a militarized island outpost in the Paracel Islands—located north of the Spratly Islands—and the return of an American aircraft carrier to the South China Sea. What To Know The U.S. Seventh Fleet—which maintains America's naval presence in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans—confirmed to Newsweek that on May 12, the destroyer USS Dewey asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands. "This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized by international law by challenging restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam," the U.S. Seventh Fleet said in an email on Monday. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, "ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through [a] territorial sea." However, such passage must be conducted in a "continuous and expeditious" manner. The United States Navy destroyer USS Dewey conducts routine operations while transiting in the South China Sea on May 12, 2025. The United States Navy destroyer USS Dewey conducts routine operations while transiting in the South China Sea on May 12, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Devin Monroe/U.S. Navy The Dewey—part of the U.S. Seventh Fleet's principal surface force—left the "excessive claim area" and continued transiting in the South China Sea after completing its operation. Meanwhile, a set of photos released by the U.S. Navy shows the USS Benfold, the Dewey's sister ship, operating at an undisclosed location in the South China Sea on May 12. The Benfold is also assigned to the U.S. Seventh Fleet as part of Destroyer Squadron 15. According to the caption, one of the photos shows an electronics technician with a Chinese name translating "incoming bridge-to-bridge voice communications" in the pilothouse of the Benfold—suggesting the American warship may have encountered the Chinese navy. U.S. military vessels and aircraft routinely interact with foreign forces while operating throughout the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S. Seventh Fleet told Newsweek, adding that all interactions were "consistent with international norms and did not impact the operation." United States Navy electronics technician 2nd Class Haoyu Zhao translates incoming bridge-to-bridge voice communications in the pilothouse of the destroyer USS Benfold while underway in the South China Sea on May 12, 2025. United States Navy electronics technician 2nd Class Haoyu Zhao translates incoming bridge-to-bridge voice communications in the pilothouse of the destroyer USS Benfold while underway in the South China Sea on May 12, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Monica Walker/U.S. Navy What People Are Saying The Pentagon said in its 2024 Freedom of Navigation Report: "Excessive maritime claims are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention…Unlawful maritime claims pose a threat to global mobility and commerce, as well as the legal foundation of the rules-based international order. If left unchallenged, excessive maritime claims could limit the rights and freedoms enjoyed by every nation." The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Sunday: "On the South China Sea, there has never been any problem with regard to freedom of navigation and overflight there. 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 how China, which has long claimed sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, will respond militarily to the recent U.S. Navy freedom of navigation operation.
Newsweek
27-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
US Aircraft Carrier Returns to South China Sea
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 nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz has been tracked returning to the contested South China Sea, where China's sovereignty claims cover most of its waters. With regard to the Nimitz's operations in the South China Sea, the Japan-based U.S. Seventh Fleet—which maintains America's naval presence in the Western Pacific Ocean—previously told Newsweek that the warship "provides presence and combat-ready forces to the theater." Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters The Nimitz—the oldest U.S. aircraft carrier in active service—has been on deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean since departing from its home port in Washington in late March. This is likely its final overseas deployment before a scheduled retirement in May next year. The carrier arrived in the South China Sea in early May and operated there for two weeks before sailing into the Strait of Malacca—a waterway linking the South China Sea with the Indian Ocean—raising speculation about a possible deployment to the Middle East. The Nimitz's return to the South China Sea comes as China continues to assert its territorial claims in the region, often leading to confrontations and clashes with neighboring maritime forces, including the Philippines—a major U.S. ally protected by a mutual defense treaty. What To Know Following a call at Malaysia's Port Klang—near the country's capital, Kuala Lumpur—the Nimitz and its escorting destroyer, USS Curtis Wilbur, departed the port on Saturday afternoon local time, heading back to the Strait of Malacca. The aircraft carrier hosted Malaysian naval officers during its stay, photos released by the U.S. Navy show. It was the second port call of the Nimitz's deployment, following a stopover in Guam—America's westernmost territory in the Pacific Ocean—in mid-April. Open-source ship-tracking data from the online service MarineTraffic shows the carrier sailed southward to Singapore after its departure. The last trackable position places the warship in the waters northeast of Singapore in the South China Sea as of Monday. While the Nimitz returned to the South China Sea for operations, its sister ship, the Japan-based USS George Washington, was also underway on Sunday in waters near the Northeast Asian country, marking a dual U.S. aircraft carrier deployment in the Western Pacific Ocean. In addition to the Nimitz and the George Washington, the U.S. amphibious assault ship USS America—another Japan-homeported U.S. warship—was dispatched to the Philippine Sea last week. It is also capable of carrying fighter jets allowing it to effectively serve as an aircraft carrier. The United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz pulls into Port Klang in Malaysia on May 21, 2025. The United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz pulls into Port Klang in Malaysia on May 21, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Emma Burgess/U.S. Navy What People Are Saying The U.S. Seventh Fleet previously told Newsweek: "Assets assigned to U.S. [Seventh] Fleet operate alongside allies and partners every day to deter aggression and maintain security in the Indo-Pacific." A U.S. Navy photo caption regarding the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz's visit to Malaysia reads: "Nimitz is conducting a port call in the U.S. [Seventh] Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the Nimitz, the George Washington, and the America will assemble somewhere in the Western Pacific Ocean for joint operations in the coming weeks.
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Map Shows US Command Ship in Pacific Amid China Navy Challenge
A Newsweek map tracks the movement of the oldest operational United States naval ship in the South Pacific Ocean, where Chinese warships recently conducted a show of force. USS Blue Ridge, a U.S. Navy command and control ship and the flagship of the Japan-based U.S. Seventh Fleet, conducts patrols to deter aggression, the ship's public affairs office said. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. China is seeking to challenge U.S. naval dominance in the Pacific Ocean with its rapidly expanding navy-the largest in the world by hull count. From mid-February to early March, it sent a three-ship naval task group to the South Pacific Ocean to circumnavigate Australia. The Chinese navy also visited Vanuatu, an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, last October, as Beijing and its rival, Washington, continue to jostle for influence in the region. Commissioned in 1970, the Blue Ridge is one of several U.S. naval vessels-including an aircraft carrier-deployed in Japan. It is equipped with high-powered computers for processing information and data, providing command and control coordination capabilities. The Blue Ridge was spotted off its home port of Yokosuka naval base in Japan on April 3. Its first port of call after leaving Japan was Cairns in northeastern Australia, where it stayed from April 16 to 20 to replenish fuel and supplies for its patrol in the Indo-Pacific region. Following its stop in Australia, the command ship transited eastward to New Caledonia, a French territory in the Pacific Ocean. It visited Nouméa-the territory's capital city-from April 26 to May 1, aiming to strengthen the alliance between the U.S. and France. After leaving port, the Blue Ridge participated in a French-led military exercise, code-named Croix du Sud, in the Coral Sea near the French territory. The multinational drill featured surface action group operations, command and control capabilities, and information sharing. The Blue Ridge continued eastward and reached Suva in Fiji on May 5, making its third port call during the patrol. The visit-concluded on May 9-demonstrated the role of the U.S.-Fiji partnership in fostering peace and security, according to the ship's public affairs office. The nearly 19,000-ton ship headed south after departing Fiji and made its first visit to New Zealand on Friday, docking in Wellington. Vice Admiral Fred Kacher, head of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, said the "historic port visit" reflected the deep ties between the two countries. The U.S. Seventh Fleet said: "U.S. [Seventh] Fleet staff, embarked aboard USS Blue Ridge, [command] the world's largest forward-deployed fleet with the primary mission of providing operational control and planning for its forces in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, while promoting regional stability and maritime security through engagements with allies and partners." U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Fred Kacher, commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, said: "The U.S. and France are Pacific nations, and our navies routinely operate together to preserve a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific…The U.S. [Seventh] Fleet's participation in Croix du Sud is testament to our longstanding alliance with France and our shared commitment to advancing our combined warfighting capabilities in this theater." It remains to be seen where the Blue Ridge will make its next stop during its patrol, which aims to strengthen alliances and partnerships and advance operational effectiveness. Related Articles Iran's Supreme Leader Speaks Out on Nuclear Deal With TrumpFrontline US Aircraft Carrier Near China Prepares for Military ActionUS and Iran Clash Over Nuclear Red LinesPhotos Show US Coast Guard Ship Deployed to Contested Waters Near China 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Photos Show US Coast Guard Ship Deployed to Contested Waters Near 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 has deployed a coast guard ship to the South China Sea, where China claims sovereignty over most of the waters, to conduct operations with its Philippine ally. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters China maintains a strong coast guard presence in the South China Sea, where its sovereignty claims—based on what it calls historic rights—overlap with those of neighboring nations, including the Philippines, which has been a U.S. defense treaty ally for more than 70 years. The U.S. Coast Guard's Western Pacific deployment coincides with its ongoing mission to secure the U.S. southwest border by stopping the flow of illegal migrants and drugs at the sea, following President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency in January. What To Know The U.S. Coast Guard said in a Facebook post on Friday that USCGC Stratton, a 4,600-long-ton displacement Legend-class national security cutter homeported in Alameda, California, is currently deployed and assigned to the Destroyer Squadron 15 under the U.S. Seventh Fleet. The U.S. Seventh Fleet is a forward-deployed fleet based in Japan that maintains America's naval presence in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Destroyer Squadron 15 has nine assigned destroyers, a U.S. Seventh Fleet spokesperson previously told Newsweek. "With over 150 years of U.S. Coast Guard operations in this vital region, we're ramping up efforts to enhance maritime security and national defense," the U.S. Coast Guard explained. Meanwhile, photos released by the U.S. Coast Guard show the Stratton at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in late April as it prepared for its Western Pacific patrol. It later visited the island of Guam, the U.S.'s westernmost territory in the Pacific, before departing for patrol on May 10. On Friday, the Stratton arrived in Puerto Princesa City, on Palawan Island in the Philippines, for a four-day visit, the U.S. Embassy in Manila announced, adding that the port call was aimed at strengthening the partnership between the American and Philippine coast guards. (From left) U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, U.S. Coast Guard national security cutter USCGC Stratton commanding officer Captain Brian Krautler, and Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan stand before USCGC Stratton... (From left) U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, U.S. Coast Guard national security cutter USCGC Stratton commanding officer Captain Brian Krautler, and Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan stand before USCGC Stratton at the Puerto Princesa Port in the Philippines on May 16, 2025. More The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Palawan Island, the westernmost Philippine province, borders the South China Sea to the west. Chinese coast guard ships have been operating near the island, staging shows of force. Following the visit, the U.S. Coast Guard ship will conduct an exercise with the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy in the Sulu Sea, east of Palawan Island, according to the embassy. The drill will involve maritime law enforcement, as well as search and rescue operations. What People Are Saying The U.S. Coast Guard said: "Through strategic patrols with national security cutters, fast response cutters, and collaborative activities, we're committed to strengthening regional partnerships and ensuring safe, secure waters for all." The Philippine Coast Guard said: "The [USCGC Stratton's] port call highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen the bilateral partnership between the United States and the Philippines." U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said: "The arrival of the USCGC Stratton is a moment of pride and possibility." What Happens Next The next stop in the Stratton's deployment is Japan, where it is scheduled to take part in the second trilateral coast guard drill between the U.S., the Philippines, and Japan since June 2023.
Newsweek
05-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Satellites Show US Aircraft Carrier in Contested Waters Near 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. Satellite imagery has captured a United States aircraft carrier in the South China Sea, where China claims sovereignty over most of the waters, claims that overlap with those of a number of other countries. The U.S. Seventh Fleet, which maintains America's naval presence in the Western Pacific Ocean, confirmed the deployment of USS Nimitz in the South China Sea to Newsweek. The Chinese Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a written request for comment. Why It Matters The presence of the Nimitz and its carrier strike group in the South China Sea comes as the U.S. military and the Philippines, a mutual defense treaty ally, are carrying out Exercise Balikatan, their largest annual drill, from April 21 to May 9. The Nimitz was previously underway in the waters east of the Philippines, a Newsweek map shows. It became the first U.S. aircraft carrier to operate in the South China Sea since early April, following the departure of USS Carl Vinson, which was re-tasked to the Middle East. What To Know A satellite image reviewed by Newsweek shows the Nimitz was in the South China Sea on Sunday. It was first seen in that region the day before, 118 miles northeast of Scarborough Shoal, said open-source intelligence researcher @MT_Anderson on X (formerly Twitter). This photograph captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on May 4, 2025, shows the United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea. This photograph captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on May 4, 2025, shows the United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea. Copernicus Scarborough Shoal, a rich fishing ground known as Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines, was seized by China in 2012 after a standoff between Chinese and Philippine forces. The atoll is closer to the Philippine main island, Luzon, than China's southernmost province, Hainan. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group "provides presence and combat-ready forces to the theater," a spokesperson for the U.S. Seventh Fleet said in response to a Newsweek emailed inquiry. "Assets assigned to U.S. [Seventh] Fleet operate alongside allies and partners every day to deter aggression and maintain security in the Indo-Pacific," the Fleet spokesperson added. The Nimitz, which is the oldest American aircraft carrier in active service, departed from its home port, Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, for what the U.S. Navy called a "regularly scheduled deployment" to the Western Pacific Ocean on March 21. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group was initially assigned four destroyers, but one of them, USS Wayne E. Meyer, has detached from the rest of the group and joined the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group for combat operations in Middle Eastern waters since at least April 13. The U.S. has stationed a second aircraft carrier, USS George Washington, in the Western Pacific Ocean. It remained at its home port, Yokosuka naval base, near Tokyo in Japan, a local government website that tracks port visits by U.S. nuclear-powered warships shows. What People Are Saying U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Maximilian Clark, commander of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, said: "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." Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, said: "The South China Sea should be a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship. However, the Philippines holds a candle to the devil by currying favor and colluding with the U.S. and other outside countries to make provocations." What Happens Next While the Nimitz is deployed for a Western Pacific Ocean mission, it remains to be seen whether it will be re-tasked to the Middle East amid tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
