Tag Archives: Mischief Reef

Philippine SECDEF: Mutual Defense Treaty Review Must Assess U.S. Commitment to Philippines

Philippine SECDEF: Mutual Defense Treaty Review Must Assess U.S. Commitment to Philippines

Marine Lance Cpl. David Lancheros shares his knowledge about the engagement process of a FIM-92 stinger missile with Philippine Airman 2nd class Sherwin Faoeranga during a subject matter expert exchange as part of exercise KAMANDAG 3 at Colonel Ernesto P. Ravina Air Base, Philippines on Oct. 9, 2019. US Marine Corps Photo

Topping the list in any review of the 70-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty between Manila and Washington is the need for a precise definition of what the United States’ commitment is to the republic in a crisis, the Philippines’ secretary of defense said today. Read More

Beijing Irked at Twin U.S. South China Sea FONOPS

Beijing Irked at Twin U.S. South China Sea FONOPS

USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10) sails through the South China Sea on Nov. 18, 2019. US Navy Photo

A pair of U.S. Navy freedom of navigation operations on two consecutive days in the South China Sea this week has irked Chinese officials at a time they are seeking to ease trade tensions with the U.S. Read More

U.S. Warship Sails Past Disputed South China Sea Artificial Island in Freedom of Navigation Mission

U.S. Warship Sails Past Disputed South China Sea Artificial Island in Freedom of Navigation Mission

Guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG-89) transits the Philippine Sea on March 14, 2018. US Navy photo.

This post has been updated to indicate that the freedom of navigation operation past Mischief Reef was the second, not the first FON op this year. A January mission past Scarborough Shoal was considered a freedom of navigation operation.

A U.S. guided-missile destroyer conducted a freedom of navigation operation past an artificial island controlled by China on Friday, a U.S. defense official confirmed to USNI News. Read More

USS John S. McCain Conducts South China Sea Freedom of Navigation Operation Past Mischief Reef; 3rd South China Sea FONOp This Year

USS John S. McCain Conducts South China Sea Freedom of Navigation Operation Past Mischief Reef; 3rd South China Sea FONOp This Year

USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) breaks away from the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) following a refueling-at-sea on June 17, 2017. US Navy Photo

A U.S. guided-missile destroyer came within 12 nautical miles of the contested Chinese installation built on an artificial island off the coast of the Philippines on Thursday, a defense official confirmed to USNI News. Read More

China Pushes Back Against SECDEF Mattis ‘Irresponsible Remarks’ on South China Sea

China Pushes Back Against SECDEF Mattis ‘Irresponsible Remarks’ on South China Sea

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Tomomi Inada, the minister of defense for Japan, during the International Institute for Strategic Studies 16th Asia Security Summit in Singapore on June 3, 2017. DoD Photo

Beijing has issued a rebuke to U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and his Japanese counterpart over comments on the South China Sea that Chinese leadership has deemed, “irresponsible.” Read More

U.S. Warship Came Within 6 Miles of Chinese Artificial Island in Toughest Challenge Yet to Beijing South China Sea Claims

U.S. Warship Came Within 6 Miles of Chinese Artificial Island in Toughest Challenge Yet to Beijing South China Sea Claims

USS Dewey (DDG-105) transits the South China Sea on May 6, 2017. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated with additional information on the Dewey freedom of navigation operation.

A U.S. destroyer sailed within six nautical miles of a Chinese artificial island on Wednesday in the strongest challenge of hotly debated Chinese claims in the South China Sea, USNI News has learned. Read More