US Navy launches dual carrier ops. in South China, Philippine seas

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
29 May 2025 09:33

The USS Nimitz joins USS George Washington and USS America in a rare show of naval force across the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea.

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In this photo provided by the South Korean Defense Ministry, South Korean Navy's destroyer Yulgok Yi I, front row right, US Navy's aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, center, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Umigiri, front row left, sail in formation during a joint naval exercise in international waters off South Korea's southern island of Jeju on April 4, 2023 (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP, File)

The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier departed Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, on March 21, 2025, marking the beginning of its final operational deployment, the Army Recognition news website reported on Wednesday.

Leading Carrier Strike Group 11 (CSG 11), the Nimitz is positioned at the center of a powerful naval formation designed for sustained maritime operations.

The strike group includes Carrier Air Wing 17, Destroyer Squadron 9, and multiple guided-missile destroyers. Together, these units form a robust force capable of conducting coordinated combat, surveillance, and support missions across large oceanic expanses, the news website highlighted.

It noted that this final deployment reflects the continued relevance of the Nimitz-class carriers in US naval strategy, even as the Navy transitions to newer platforms.

Strategic presence in South China Sea

The USS Nimitz's return to the South China Sea is part of a broader strategic maneuver amid rising tensions in the region. According to Army Recognition, the deployment responds to growing maritime militarization and expanding territorial claims by China, underscoring the US Navy’s commitment to freedom of navigation and regional stability.

Simultaneously, the USS George Washington (CVN 73) is operating in nearby waters off Northeast Asia, the website noted, adding that the concurrent presence of two aircraft carriers signals a calculated show of force in one of the world's most contested maritime regions.

Dual carrier operations in the Western Pacific

The simultaneous deployment of the USS Nimitz and USS George Washington represents a rare and significant instance of dual carrier operations in the Western Pacific, the report indicated, adding that such operations enhance interoperability with partner nations and demonstrate operational synergy.

Complementing this deployment is the USS America (LHA 6), currently in the Philippine Sea. Although classified as an amphibious assault ship, the America carries significant air power, including F-35B stealth fighters and MV-22 Ospreys. These assets provide both vertical assault capability and fixed-wing air support, further diversifying the Navy’s strategic options in the Indo-Pacific.

Army Recognition pointed out that the integration of these three vessels creates a dynamic, layered defense posture, noting that this configuration enhances the US Navy’s flexibility and readiness to respond to regional contingencies or emerging threats.