USS Roosevelt and USS Nimitz to conduct dual carrier exercise in the South China Sea on Feb. 9, 2021
The U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet said Feb. 9 via Twitter that the USS Roosevelt and USS Nimitz carrier strike groups are conducting a dual carrier exercise in the South China Sea. This is the first Time the U.S. Navy has held such an exercise since July 2020, and since President Biden took office.
It is reported that the USS Roosevelt carrier strike group entered the South China Sea via the Bus Strait on Jan. 23. The Nimitz carrier strike group sailed into the South China Sea from the Indian Ocean on Feb. 5 and then joined the Roosevelt carrier strike group. A statement from the U.S. Pacific Fleet said, “The coordinated operations of ships and aircraft from both strike groups in heavily trafficked areas demonstrates the U.S. Navy’s ability to operate in challenging environments. As part of the dual carrier operation, the strike groups conducted a variety of exercises designed to improve interoperability between assets and command and control capabilities.”
The statement said, “As part of the dual carrier operation, the strike group conducted a wide range of exercises designed to improve interoperability and command and control capabilities between assets.” Rear Adm. Douglas Verissimo, commander of the 9th Carrier Strike Group, led by the USS Roosevelt, said, “Training with the 11th Carrier Strike Group in the South China Sea is an invaluable opportunity, and through operations like this, we ensure we are tactically capable of proficiently meet the challenges of maintaining peace, and we can continue to demonstrate to our partners and allies in the region that we are committed to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
Rear Adm. Jim Kirk, commander of Carrier Strike Group 11, led by the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, said “Working with Carrier Strike Group 9 has improved our collective tactical skills while ensuring regional stability and security. We are committed to ensuring that all nations have the right to the legitimate use of the seas and oceans under international law.” The statement said, “This exercise belongs to a long history of U.S. Navy operations in the Indo-Pacific region. Dual carrier operations like this one are not new and are designed to maintain U.S. combat readiness and combat-ready forces, reassure allies and partners, and preserve peace in the region.”
It is understood that the USS Roosevelt and USS Nimitz carrier strike groups last conducted joint military exercises on June 21 last year in the Philippine Sea. In July last year, the U.S. Navy sent the USS Reagan and USS Nimitz twin carrier strike groups to the South China Sea twice in a row, when the two strike groups had more than 12,000 sailors and pilots. This is the first time in six years that two large U.S. Navy warships have conducted exercises in the area.
In addition, French naval vessels have also been active in the South China Sea recently, involving two ships, including the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Emerald and its support ship USS Seine. French Defense Minister Florence Parly announced the information via Twitter on the 8th and said, “As an Indo-Pacific country (about 2 million inhabitants), France has the second largest exclusive economic zone in the world (11 million square kilometers, 9 million of which are in the Indo-Pacific Ocean). We intend to protect the sovereignty and interests of our country.”
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