March 27, 2020 image of a Chinese Installation on Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea. CSIS Image
China is tightening its grip on disputed claims in the South China Sea by beefing up its military capability and planting the seeds of long-term habitability on the artificial islands at the core of its regional economic influence strategy.
Type 001A Shandong
China’s newest aircraft carrier, Type 001A Shandong (Hull 17), is conducting sea trials at a time Beijing’s military leadership criticizes the pace and scope of U.S. Navy operations in the region.
(May 28, 2020) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) transits the South China Sea. U.S. Navy photo
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG-89) conducted a freedom of navigation operation past the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea Thursday, the Navy announced.
Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) vessels conducted unsafe and unprofessional actions against U.S. Military ships by crossing the ships’ bows and sterns at close range while operating in international waters of the North Arabian Gulf. The guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) is conducting joint interoperability operations in support of maritime security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. US Navy photo.
The U.S. Navy’s stay-away warning to marine traffic in the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman was intended for Iran, Pentagon officials confirmed on Thursday. Read More
USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) transits the Atlantic Ocean in 2019. US Navy Photo
The Navy removed the captain of USS Philippine Sea, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser that spilled close to 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel into the York River on May 7. Read More
U.S. Navy Seaman Danielle Clarke stands watch as the master helmsman on the bridge aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG-85) while conducting underway operations. Navy photo.
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG-85) transited the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, a week before Taiwan’s anti-China reunification president is inaugurated for a second term.
USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10) conducts routine operations near the Panamanian flagged drill ship, West Capella on May 12, 2020. US Navy Photo
A standoff between China and Malaysia over potential natural gas and oil reserves beneath the South China Sea appears to be ending as research vessels from both nations moved away from each other following stepped-up U.S. Navy presence in the last several weeks.
Sailors and Marines conduct flight operations from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) with aircraft assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 on April 9, 2020. US Navy Photo
The U.S. Navy is continuing to run missions to ensure freedom of navigation and show presence in the Western Pacific while other militaries are scaling back their operations amid COVID-19 concerns.
This is the top of the mast
that once towered more than a hundred feet over Nevada’s deck. Ocean Infinity/SEARCH Photo
This post has been updated with an audio clip from the Naval Institute’s oral history program.
USS Nevada (BB-36) – dubbed the “unsinkable battleship” that served in two world wars – was found nearly three miles below the water’s surface about 65 nautical miles southwest of Pearl Harbor, a team of researchers announced Monday. Read More
An E-2C Hawkeye from the Sun Kings of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 116 prepares to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) as part of a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) in May 6, 2020. US Navy Photo
USS Nimitz (CVN-68) left San Diego this week for a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) in the Pacific, Navy officials confirmed to USNI News.
