Latest news with #militaryexercises
South China Morning Post
10-06-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
China's Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carriers sail beyond second island chain
In an unprecedented show of strength, the Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong have been exercising in the western Pacific Ocean beyond the second island chain , according to the Japanese defence ministry. In a statement on Monday, the ministry said the Shandong strike group was spotted earlier that day, conducting take-off and landing operations of its jet fighters and helicopters about 500km (311 miles) southwest of Iwo Jima and north of Okinotori. It followed the ministry's statement on Sunday that the Liaoning group had been located on Saturday 300km (186 miles) southwest of Minamitori Island. It was seen again on Sunday, a little further away. The carrier was also reported to be operating its ship-borne air wings. All of the isles mentioned are in Japan's Ogasawara Islands, also known as the Bonins. Alongside Guam and the rest of the Marianas, as well as the western Carolines and other small Pacific archipelagos, they form a strategic band known as the second island chain. Most notably, the Liaoning group travelled further east than Guam, the most fortified US military base in the band, marking the first time a Chinese navy carrier has reached beyond the second island chain. Previous deployments – by the Liaoning in December 2022 and the Shandong in April 2023 – were some distance northwest of Guam. The Liaoning's easternmost recorded location this time was about 3,200km (1,990 miles) from Midway Atoll and 5,500km (3,420 miles) from Hawaii. The two 60,000-tonne Kuznetsov-class vessels – the PLA Navy's only active carriers, with the Fujian still undergoing sea trials – were escorted by warships of significant size, representing China's most powerful maritime strike forces to date.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
USS Comstock returns to San Diego after 3-month mission in Indo-Pacific
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The USS Comstock returned to its homeport in San Diego on Thursday after a three month mission in the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. Navy reports. Marines and sailors aboard the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) returned to Naval Base San Diego on Thursday after a three-month mission to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in the Indo-Pacific. The Navy says 115 U.S. Marines and Sailors from Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division also embarked Comstock during the deployment. While in U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy says the Comstock participated in exercises Tiger Triumph in India and Balikatan 25 in the Philippines. 'Our ship's successful completion of Tiger Triumph and Balikatan 2025 is a testament to the dedication, resilience, and skill of our crew,' said Cmdr. Byron Stocks, the commanding officer of the Comstock. 'Together, we strengthened partnerships, honed our readiness, and proudly represented our nation on the world stage.' The Tiger Triumph featured 3,000 personnel, two warships, and seven aircraft, the Navy reports. The Comstock, with embarked U.S. Marines, worked alongside Indian counterparts for two weeks during the exercise. The Navy says the Tiger Triumph gave participating forces the opportunity to refine humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, conduct amphibious beach landings and build relationships and camaraderie through cultural exchanges. 'The tireless work ethic of the U.S. and Indian Armed Forces at all levels directly contributed to the successful execution of the amphibious landing,' said U.S. Marine Capt. Erik Ayala, commander of troops for Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. 'This success highlights the cohesion we currently have with our Indian Partners and will enable us to build on the complexity in the future.' After completing the Tiger Triumph exercise, the Comstock participated in exercise Balikatan 25 from April 25-29 alongside the Philippine Navy and the Japan Maritime Defense Force, according to the Navy. In addition to humanitarian projects and logistics operations, the Navy says the exercise featured a Full Battle Test, which combines all domains — air, land, sea, space and cyber, while the group sail tested maritime maneuvers and validated interoperability of doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures at sea. The USS Comstock (LSD 45) is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship homeported in San Diego. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Arab News
05-06-2025
- General
- Arab News
Philippines, US hold joint maritime drills for seventh time
MANILA: The Philippines and United States militaries have sailed together in the South China Sea for a seventh time to boost interoperability between the two sides, Manila's armed forces said on Thursday. The exercises, held on Wednesday in waters off the provinces of Occidental Mindoro and Zambales and away from contested features, included joint operations near shorelines as well as fire support. 'The MCA (maritime cooperative activity) is a demonstration of both nations' resolve to deepen cooperation and enhance interoperability in line with international law,' the Philippine armed forces said in a statement. The joint sail also showcased the Philippine vessel Miguel Malvar, a 118-meter guided missile frigate commissioned last month. It is one of two corvettes built by South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries under the Philippines' military modernization program. Military engagements between the treaty allies have soared under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has pivoted closer to Washington in response to China's growing presence in the South China Sea. China claims sovereignty over nearly all the South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Reuters
05-06-2025
- General
- Reuters
Philippines, U.S., hold joint maritime drills for seventh time
MANILA, June 5 (Reuters) - The Philippines and United States militaries have sailed together in the South China Sea for a seventh time to boost interoperability between the two sides, Manila's armed forces said on Thursday. The exercises, held on Wednesday in waters off the provinces of Occidental Mindoro and Zambales and away from contested features, included joint operations near shorelines as well as fire support. "The MCA (maritime cooperative activity) is a demonstration of both nations' resolve to deepen cooperation and enhance interoperability in line with international law," the Philippine armed forces said in a statement. The joint sail also showcased the Philippine vessel Miguel Malvar, a 118-metre guided missile frigate commissioned last month. It is one of two corvettes built by South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries ( opens new tab under the Philippines' military modernisation programme. Military engagements between the treaty allies have soared under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has pivoted closer to Washington in response to China's growing presence in the South China Sea. China claims sovereignty over nearly all the South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Arab News
04-06-2025
- General
- Arab News
NATO'S Baltic drills are part of preparations for a potential clash with Russia, TASS reports
NATO'S Baltic drills are part of the alliance's preparations for a potential military clash with Russia, TASS news agency cited Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko as saying in remarks published on Wednesday.'We assess NATO's military activity as part of preparations for military clashes with Russia,' TASS cited Grushko as saying.'If we look at the focus of these exercises, the concept, the structure of the deployment of forces, the forces themselves, their quality, the tasks that are formulated for these exercises, then this is a fight against a comparable adversary,' Grushko said according to – NATO's annual exercise in the Baltic Sea and the regions surrounding it – is being held this month.
