Tracking US Navy. Assets in the Pacific: April 10-17, 2023

– USS Milius performed a Taiwan Strait transit – Nimitz CSG underway in the South China Sea from East Coast of Taiwan – Makin Island ARG operating in the Sulu Sea, Philippines – Vinson CSG on the move in the Middle Pacific

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the South China Sea. One week ago, the CSG was operating off the Eastern Coast of Taiwan in the Philippine Sea. The Nimitz chopped into

@US7thFleet on December 16, and this is the third time the CSG has operated in the SCS.

US Navy Rear Adm. Sweeney, commander of CSG1, said: “The Nimitz CSG is fulfilling a promise to our allies and partners in the region—we aren’t going anywhere. Our commitment to our allies and partners in the region remains ironclad as we promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The Makin Island ARG—with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked—is operating in the Philippines as part of joint Exercise #Balikatan23. On Sunday, Makin Island exercised in the Sulu Sea off the coast of Palawan with Philippine Navy ships.

The Carl Vinson CSG is underway in the Middle Pacific as part of a group sail. Over the past two weeks, it’s sailed west deep into the Pacific from Naval Base San Diego. While not expected to deploy until later this year, its positioning sends a not-so-subtle message.

On Monday, destroyer USS Benfold (DDG-65), Japanese destroyer JS Atago (DDG-177), & South Korean destroyer Yulgok Yi I (DDG-992) carried out a trilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the Sea of Japan. The three countries last conducted a BMD exercise on Feb 22.

The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) CSG, the only forward-deployed aircraft carrier group, remains in port in Yokosuka, Japan. The USS America (LHA-6) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is in Sasebo, Japan.

Notably, China's PLAN Shandong Carrier Strike Group continues its training patrol in the Pacific.

Japan has closely tracked & shadowed the Shandong CSG.

From April 10-16, the CSG carried out 140 launches & recoveries of its J-15 fighters and 70 helicopter take-offs & landings. https://t.co/nRJ6I5Xuyd

— Ian Ellis (@ianellisjones) April 18, 2023

The strategic positioning of US naval assets is extremely important and relevant given China’s announcement this morning of “major military activity” in the Yellow Sea tomorrow.

The Russian Pacific Fleet is on high alert and also active in the region.