US Nimitz-class aircraft carrier conducted maritime operations in South China Sea

Asia-Pacific, News, US January 5, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) with its Carrier Strike Group 1 conducted maritime security operations in the South China Sea following its visit to the Singapore port.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense release, the U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group conducted operations in the South China Sea as part of the routine presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

The maritime operations included “flight operations with fixed and rotary wing aircraft, maritime strike exercises, and coordinated tactical training between surface and air units,” the statement highlighted.

Commander of the U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group 1, Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello said, “The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate safely, wherever international law allows—so that all nations can benefit from [the] use of the maritime commons. This includes the South China Sea, where nearly $4 trillion in trade transits each year and it has some of the world’s richest fishing grounds that employ an estimated 3.7 million people.”

Rear Adm. Sardiello further highlighted that “Since transiting the Pacific from San Diego into the South China Sea, we’ve participated in multilateral, trilateral, and bilateral training exercises in the Indo-Pacific region to increase our combined readiness with like-minded allies and partners to demonstrate our shared commitment to the rules-based international order.”

The U.S. Navy’s Carrier Strike Group 1 consists of flagship aircraft carrier CVN 70, Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1, which includes Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Hopper (DDG 70), USS Kidd (DDG 100), USS Sterett (DDG 104), and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110).

*^{Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transits the Pacific Ocean. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy)}*

Before venturing into the South China Sea, CSG-1 engaged in trilateral maritime drills with the Republic of Korea Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The exercise offered a platform for the three naval forces to navigate together, perform enhanced planning, and execute advanced maritime communication operations.

CSG-1 constitutes a diverse group of ships and aircraft with the capability to execute a broad spectrum of missions globally, ranging from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts. According to the U.S. Navy, the Carrier Strike Group 1 is currently deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, contributing to the promotion of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Since entering the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, the CGS-1 has conducted several operations with the United States allied forces including, the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Australian Navy, and JMSDF, which further strengthened regional cooperative efforts.