Tag Archives: PACOM

China Doubles Down on South China Sea Sovereignty, Warns Against ‘Risky and Provocative’ U.S. Freedom of Navigation Missions

China Doubles Down on South China Sea Sovereignty, Warns Against ‘Risky and Provocative’ U.S. Freedom of Navigation Missions

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hong Lei during a Sept. 18, 2015 press conference. Chinese MoFA Photo

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hong Lei during a Sept. 18, 2015 press conference. Chinese MoFA Photo

PENTAGON — Chinese officials again affirmed territorial sovereignty for a series of newly created artificial islands in the South China Sea and warned the U.S. against taking “risky and provocative action” by attempting to come within 12 nautical miles of the islands, according to a Friday press statement from Beijing. Read More

U.S. Weighing More Freedom of Navigation Operations in South China Sea Near Reclaimed Islands

U.S. Weighing More Freedom of Navigation Operations in South China Sea Near Reclaimed Islands

USS Fort Worth (LCS-3) conducts patrols in international waters of the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands on May 11, 2015. US Navy Photo

USS Fort Worth (LCS-3) conducts patrols in international waters of the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands on May 11, 2015. US Navy Photo

The Obama administration is considering conducting more freedom of navigation missions in the South China Sea as a partial counter to China’s rapid artificial island expansion in the region, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs told a Senate panel on Thursday. Read More

U.S. Officially Ends Special Operations Task Force in the Philippines, Some Advisors May Remain

U.S. Officially Ends Special Operations Task Force in the Philippines, Some Advisors May Remain

U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) honor guard perform a 21-gun salute during a memorial service in Zamboanga City, Philippines in 2010. US Navy Photo

U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) honor guard perform a 21-gun salute during a memorial service in Zamboanga City, Philippines in 2010. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated to include additional comments from U.S. Special Operations Command, Pacific.

The U.S. special operations mission to help the Philippine military to fight Islamic militants is coming to a close, U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) officials told USNI News on Thursday. Read More

Pentagon Taps Director of Navy Staff for Pacific Fleet Command

Pentagon Taps Director of Navy Staff for Pacific Fleet Command

Vice Adm. Scott Swift, then commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in 2012. US Navy Photo

Vice Adm. Scott Swift, then commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in 2012. US Navy Photo

The Pentagon has nominated the current director of navy staff to take charge of the U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT), according to a Thursday announcement from the Department of Defense. Read More

U.S. Pacific Commander: Chinese Spy Ship Off Hawaii Has An Upside

U.S. Pacific Commander: Chinese Spy Ship Off Hawaii Has An Upside

Adm. Samuel J. Locklear, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, greets Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Republic of China Gen. Fang Fenghui aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on May 13, 2014. US Navy Photo

Adm. Samuel J. Locklear, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, greets Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Republic of China Gen. Fang Fenghui aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on May 13, 2014. US Navy Photo

The high profile story of a Chinese surveillance ship off the cost of Hawaii could have a positive aspect for U.S. operations in the Pacific, the head of U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) said in a Tuesday afternoon briefing with reporters at the Pentagon. Read More

U.S. Pacific Commander Defends 11 Carrier Navy

U.S. Pacific Commander Defends 11 Carrier Navy

USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), left, and the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) transit the Strait of Gibraltar. US Navy Photo

USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), left, and the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) transit the Strait of Gibraltar. US Navy Photo

In a protracted discussion about how many aircraft carriers the United States needs, the top commander in the Pacific said the Navy already can’t meet the demands that Central and Pacific Commands are putting upon it with the 11 carriers now in the fleet. Read More