U.S. Demonstrates Its Military Might in China’s Backyard

Joseph Campbell

ABOARD THE NIMITZ (South China Sea) – In a display of U.S. military strength in the most contested areas of the globe, dozens of combat aircraft and helicopters roared on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Nimitz for a few hours.

MH-60 Seahawk helicopters, and F/A-18 Hornet aircrafts bearing pilot call signs such as “Fozzie Bear”, “Pig Sweat” “Bongoo” As they land in the drizzle, the Nimitz emits deafening screams. It is leading a carrier-strike group that entered South China Sea just two weeks ago.

Rear Admiral Christopher Sweeney was the commander of the group and said the tour was part a U.S. pledge to preserve freedom of passage within the waters or airspace of a vital region to global trade.

“We are going to sail, fly and operate wherever international norms and rules allow. We’re going to do that safely and we’re going to be resolute about that,” Sweeney shared his views with Reuters on Friday.

“It’s really just about sailing and operating obviously with our allies and partners in the area and assuring them of free and open commerce and trade in the Indo-Pacific.”

While allies such as Australia, Japan, South Korea, South Korea, and the Philippines have welcomed the U.S. presence on the South China Sea (which is responsible for $3.4 trillion annually in trade), it continues to anger China, which regards the actions as provocations.

China claims historical jurisdiction over the whole South China Sea, including the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam and Brunei.

Beijing conducts regular exercises, and keeps a large number of fishing and coast guard vessels far away from its mainland. This has created tensions with its neighbours.

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group 11 also includes Bunker Hill, the guided missile cruiser and guided-missile destroyers Wayne E. Meyer, Chung-Hoon and Decatur. Chung-Hoon, irking China, sailed through Taiwan Strait on Jan. 5.

Two weeks earlier, a Chinese navy J-11 fighter aircraft caused alarm by coming within 10 feet (3 meters) of an American Air Force plane in the South China Sea.

Sweeney stressed the importance of international rules being followed, and stated that the U.S. presence on the South China Sea was a demonstration of its commitment to regional allies.

“We’ve operated in the same body of water as the Chinese or the Singaporean navy or the Filipino navy since we’ve arrived and it’s all been safe and professional,” He said.

“We’re going to sail, fly and operate wherever international waters allow us to, so we’re not going anywhere.”

(Reporting and Writing by Joseph Campbell; Writing and Editing by Martin Petty; Editing done by Jonathan Oatis