China and America Are Flexing Their Aircraft Carrier Muscles in the South China Sea
During the Battle of the Philippine Sea in the Second World War, a total of seven fleet carriers and another eight light carriers were among the more than 100 vessels that made up the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet under the command of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance.
Now almost 80 years later, another significant force of U.S. warships took part in exercises in the same waters of the Philippine Sea – and it included both the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group. Instead of combating (and essentially destroying) the Japanese fleet, this time vessels from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) took part in the Multi-Large Deck Event (MLDE), which concluded on Wednesday.
It provided the two maritime forces an opportunity to engage in joint operations including enhanced maritime communication operations, air warfare operations, and cross-deck flight operations to strengthen maritime integrated-at-sea operations and combat readiness.
Chinese Aircraft Carrier on the Move
The MLDE took place as Beijing deployed the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Shandong Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to the South China Sea, which has raised questions about the future of freedom of navigation in the region.
China claims all of the waters are enclosed in the so-called "Nine-Dash Line," which includes nearly 90 percent of the South China Sea. The Nine Dash Line doesn't accord with anything resembling the normal rules defining a nation’s territorial seas or exclusive economic zone and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has refuted Beijing’s claim, the Telegraph newspaper reported.
The Chinese carrier sailed into the South China Sea on Monday, passing through the waters between the Philippines and Taiwan.
Deterring Chinese Aggression
The MDLE in the adjacent Philippine Sea saw the participation of U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Groups, led by their flagships USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5, and JMSDF’s Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH-181), the U.S. Navy announced.
"Our ability to rapidly aggregate maritime forces and work collectively alongside the Ronald Reagan strike group and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force enhances our combined readiness," said Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander, CSG 1. "Multi-Large Deck Event demonstrates collective resolve by rehearsing with our Allies as an assurance of our commitment to regional security and stability. It is also a symbol of a willingness to extend a helping hand of partnership to willing and like-minded nations."
The MLDE also involved more than 10,000 Sailors, who conducted coordinated surface and air operations in a complex maritime environment to demonstrate the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Joint Force's ability to deliver a powerful maritime force.
"Through the exercise, we improved our tactical capabilities and interoperability with the U.S. Navy," said JMSDF Rear Adm. Kazushi Yokota, commander of Escort Flotilla 3. "The Japan-U.S. Alliance is essential not only for the defense of Japan, but also for peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region."
CVN-76 recently concluded a port visit to Manila earlier this month.
The Vinson CSG along with Australian and Canadian forces will take part in the JMSDF Annual Exercise 2023 held from Nov. 10-20 in Japan's seas and airspace.
Author Experience and Expertise
Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.