The United States has deployed three naval vessels—including two aircraft carriers—capable of operating F-35 stealth fighter jets—across the Western Pacific this week amid China’s rapidly growing sea power and expanding maritime activity in the region.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Why It Matters
The F-35 is a family of jets that comes in three variants: the A model, which operates from conventional runways; the B model, designed for short takeoffs and vertical landings from ships without full-length flight decks; and the C model, built for aircraft carrier operations. The U.S. military has stationed F-35B and F-35C jets in Japan.
As part of the Pentagon’s efforts to contain the military threat from China, which is aiming to modernize its armed forces to reach “world-class” status by 2049, the U.S. Navy has maintained a strong presence in the Western Pacific. In recent days, China has deployed groups of warships—including aircraft carriers—in the region to signal its naval power.
What To Know
Photos released by the U.S. Navy show the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet’s area of operations as of Wednesday to conduct what the service calls “routine operations” to ensure the Indo-Pacific remains free and open.
The 7th Fleet—part of the Pacific Fleet—is responsible for operations in the western Pacific and the Indian Ocean. It is the largest U.S. forward-deployed fleet, with 50 to 70 vessels, 150 aircraft and more than 27,000 personnel operating in its area at a time.
The Abraham Lincoln, which carries F-35C jets, left San Diego in late November for a Pacific deployment, U.S. Naval Institute News previously reported.
Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, which also operates F-35C jets, continued its operations in the Philippine Sea on Monday following its visit to Guam—the westernmost U.S. territory—according to U.S. Naval Institute News.
The George Washington is expected to return to its home port in Japan, Yokosuka Naval Base, on Thursday for “rest, replenishment and maintenance,” according to a notification from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Yokosuka city government.
A spokesperson for the 7th Fleet confirmed to Newsweek on Wednesday that both aircraft carriers were conducting routine operations within the fleet’s area of operations.
In the South China Sea, the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, designed to project power from sea to shore, arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam, with the cruiser USS Robert Smalls on Monday for a visit marking the 30th anniversary of U.S.-Vietnam relations.
The Tripoli, which carries F-35B jets, arrived in Sasebo, Japan, in June as part of a scheduled rotation of U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific. Its presence in Japan, along with that of the George Washington, supports Washington’s commitment to Japan’s defense.
What People Are Saying
A U.S. Navy photo caption read: “USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), flagship of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, demonstrating the U.S. Navy’s long-term commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper said: “The visit by USS Tripoli and USS Robert Smalls coming as we close out celebrations to mark 30 years of bilateral relations is proof that the U.S.-Vietnam partnership has never been better…It is so heartening to see the warm welcome U.S. service members have received here in Da Nang, a city that holds a special place in the history of our bilateral relations and recently faced challenges following multiple typhoons.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether the Abraham Lincoln will sail into the South China Sea to maintain U.S. naval presence in the region, where the George Washington previously deployed prior to its visit to Guam.
