US aircraft carriers enter South China Sea as Taiwan witnesses record Chinese incursion

In an attempt to assert ir right to a free pass in international waters, and to counter Chinese belligerence, two US aircraft carrier groups led by USS Ronald Reagan entered disputed South China sea on Jan. 24, Monday. Carl Vinson and Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Groups kick-started dual-carrier military operations in a show of military power to counter increasing record Chinese aircraft incursions into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone [ADIZ]. joint maritime exercise by US Navy included enhanced maritime communication operations, anti-submarine warfare operations, air warfare operations, replenishments-at-sea, cross-deck flight operations, and maritime interdiction operations.

“While in South China Sea, strike group is conducting maritime security operations, which include flight operations with fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, maritime strike exercises, and coordinated tactical training between surface and air units,” US Navy said in a statement. 

Integrated-at-sea operations & combat readiness

According to US Navy statement, drills were aimed at strengning maritime integrated-at-sea operations and combat readiness. training was conducted in accordance with international law in international waters, US Navy asserted, adding that ships and aircraft of two carrier strike groups, that includes over 14,000 US Sailors and Marines, will conduct coordinated surface and air operations in a complex maritime environment in South China sea. Maritime exercise will demonstrate US Indo-Pacific Command Joint Force’s ability to deliver a powerful maritime force, said US Navy in a statement. drill came shortly after Taiwan reported record 39 Chinese aircraft incursions— including 34 fighters, four electronic warfare jets, and one bomber that flew over self-ruled island’s ADIZ. 

“Our ability to rapidly aggregate and work collectively alongside CSG 3, highlights US Navy’s ability to deliver overwhelming maritime force, when called upon, to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region,”  Rear Adm. Dan Martin, commander, CSG 1 stressed in US Navy’s statement.

“We are committed to ensuring lawful use of sea and free flow of commerce while deterring those who challenge shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific w and into long-term future.”

US Navy labelled exercise as “routine presence in Indo-Pacific.” Since US 7th Fleet region entered hotly contested South China Sea in early September, it has conducted several maritime drills with naval forces of partner countries. US Navy 7th Fleet units participated in multiple operations and exercises tably: MALABAR 2021; MPX 2021; and several multi-carrier, multi-nation operations to deter Beijing’s expansionist nda. US Naval forces were involved in multiple allied carrier strike group operations in Philippine Sealed by flagships USS Ronald Reagan and USS Carl Vinson, alongside Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Ise. US Navy also conducted joint military exercises with United Kingdom’s carrier strike group led by HMS Queen Elizabeth in October 2021.