The U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Reagan (CVN 76) leaves Yokosuka Harbor, Japan, May 16, next to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s newest 10,000-ton SHIELD destroyer, USS Moyo (DDG 179), which began service in March 2020. (U.S. Navy)
The U.S. Army’s aircraft carrier USS Reagan (CVN 76) officially left Yokosuka Harbor, Japan, on May 19 to begin its FY 2021 deployment. The U.S. Navy statement said the crew of USS Reagan is demonstrating our shared commitment to regional stability and adherence to international norms by “peace through strength” and working with our allies in the Indo-Pacific region to be ready to respond to any contingency.
Accompanying the Reagan carrier are the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Shilo (CG 67) and the Burke-class destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97). As summer approached and the climate and seascape in the Taiwan Strait became suitable for amphibious landing operations, the U.S. military raised its readiness in the Western Pacific in due course.
On May 18, the U.S. Army’s Burke-class destroyer USS Wilbur (DDG 54) crossed the Taiwan Strait in what could be seen as a response to recent amphibious landing exercises conducted by the Chinese Communist Party.
On May 18, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command also made a point of announcing that the submarine dock at Pearl Harbor is ready for submarine maintenance and modernization, and revealed photos of the submarine USS Columbia (SSN 771) conducting sea trials at Pearl Harbor on May 6, marking its completion of modernization and certification to begin its return to the fleet. Indo-Pacific Command also described the submarine as capable of long-range strikes with Tomahawk cruise missiles, as well as anti-submarine, surface operations, surveillance and intelligence gathering, and support for special forces operations. These presentations are clearly meant for the Chinese Communist Party military, and the U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles are ready to be launched from the submarine in the event that the Chinese Communist Party is found to be attempting to attack Taiwan by force.
From May 11 to 16, the U.S., Japan, France and Australia participated in the Jeanne D’Arc 21 joint exercise (Jeanne D’Arc 21), with the French amphibious assault ship Thunder (L9014) also arriving from the South China Sea to take part, mainly simulating an amphibious landing exercise in response to an allied counterattack operation after the Chinese Communist Party provoked the war. During the exercise, the U.S. and Japan conducted simulated fire support training, then implemented amphibious assaults, established beachheads and follow-on landings, etc. U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Torpedo helicopters also boarded the French amphibious assault ship, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force provided air transport to support deep assaults. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said this joint exercise of land, sea and air, we train with our partners and allies in peace and prepare to fight alongside them in war.
On May 18, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command also announced that U.S. Air Force bombers conducted global bombing mission exercises, including the Indo-Pacific, Europe and North America, to demonstrate that U.S. forces are ready to support missions anywhere in the world, demonstrating a routine and visible commitment to allies and partners by deploying military forces around the globe. The speed flexibility and readiness of our strategic bombers play a critical role in our ability to deter potential adversaries and show unwavering support to our allies and partners,” said Charles “Chas” Richard, commander of U.S. Strategic Command “
In early May, the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Roosevelt departed West Pacific in time for the Gulf of Alaska to participate in Exercise Northern Edge 2021 (Northern Edge 2021). The symbolic appearance of the Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong was largely unnoticed by the U.S. military. After seeing the U.S. carriers leave, the CCP quickly began organizing amphibious landing drills. With the current climate in the Taiwan Strait gradually becoming suitable for landing, the Chinese Communist Party could not have released a more obvious signal, and the U.S. military immediately responded with a series of these exercises.
After participating in the Alaska exercise, it is not yet known whether the Roosevelt carrier will return to its home port on the U.S. West Coast or return to the Western Pacific. The Roosevelt carrier has been deployed since the end of 2020 and has been at sea for nearly five months on a non-stop, extensive cruise, and should be able to continue its mission for another 2-3 months, and it makes sense if the crew returns to port for a break. The USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier on the U.S. West Coast is already on standby, with the F-35C stealth fighter officially on board, making it the most combat-ready aircraft carrier at present.
If the Chinese Communist Party provokes, perhaps the USS Carl Vinson carrier will also have the opportunity to make an appearance in the Western Pacific. At that time, perhaps the twin U.S. carriers will give the Chinese Communist Party carriers another latest display. The British carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth will soon be in the Indo-Pacific region, where she is expected to conduct exercises with HMS Reagan, and should jointly demonstrate “peace through strength” to the Chinese military.
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