USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) transits the Indian Ocean on April 15, 2017. US Navy Photo
The deployment of Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group has been extended by a month so the CSG can conduct presence operations off the coast of Korea, the commander of the strike group said late Tuesday in a message to his crew. Read More
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transits the South China Sea on April 8, 2017. US Navy Photo
There was no specific reason U.S. Pacific Command elected to rearrange the schedule of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and send it toward the Korean peninsula, Secretary of Defense James Mattis told reporters on Tuesday. Read More
Landing Craft Air-Cushion watercraft embarks the USS Boxer (LHD-4) . US Marine Corps Photo
The Navy and Marine Corps will deploy a second Amphibious Ready Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit team to the Southern Pacific beginning as early as 2019, to allow the Japan-based forward deployed forces to focus on the northern and eastern parts of the vast Asia-Pacific theater, a Marine Corps official said today. Read More
Adm. Tomohisa Takei, chief of staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, on Feb. 18, 2016. US Naval Institute Photo
SAN DIEGO — The head of Japan’s naval force said the U.S. defense industry and military services can take bigger roles in helping his forces communicate and operate more jointly in Asia-Pacific and safeguard his nation’s security and regional interests. Read More
USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) in 2012. US Navy Photo
Chinese officials issued several condemnations of the latest U.S. freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea in which an American guided missile destroyer came within 12 nautical miles of Chinese administered Triton Island in the Paracel Island chain. Read More
USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) transits the East China Sea in 2013. US Navy Photo
An American guided missile destroyer conducted a freedom of navigation operation within 12 nautical miles of a disputed island claimed by China in the South China Sea Paracel island chain, Pentagon officials confirmed to USNI News on Saturday morning. Read More
Adm. Harry B. Harris, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet in 2014. US Navy Photo
Calling freedom of navigation “a matter of fundamental principle” to the United States, the top military officer in the Pacific said that more operations in the South China Sea not only will continue but will become more complex. Read More
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)
After two months, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter provided a clear explanation of an U.S. Oct. 27 South China Sea freedom of navigation operation (FON op) that both enraged China and left domestic maritime observers with lingering questions on American intentions. Read More
The following is the Dec. 22, 2015 letter from Secretary of Defense Ash Carter to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) outlining the U.S. Oct., 27 2015 freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea. Read More
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)
The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee has asked Secretary of Defense Ash Carter for more details on last month’s U.S. freedom of navigation (FON) mission in the South China Sea, according to a Monday letter obtained by USNI News. Read More
