After completing a port call in Singapore during the Christmas holiday, the USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group set sail for the South China Sea. Currently, the U.S. Navy maintains two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers deployed in the Indo-Pacific region: the USS Carl Vinson and the USS George Washington (CVN-73) stationed in Japan. Additionally, in a broader operational context, it is worth noting the arrival of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in the Middle East and the return of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) to the United States.
The USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group currently includes several escort and support vessels. Among them are the cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59) and the destroyers USS Sterett (DDG-104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110). Furthermore, the carrier is operating with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 onboard.
While the USS George Washington is stationed in Japan, other units are providing support to the USS Carl Vinson. Notably, Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30 has deployed three CMV-22Bs. These aircraft, despite the challenges the fleet has faced, are now operational following the recent lifting of restrictions by NAVAIR.
Regarding operations conducted by the USS Carl Vinson and its escort group in the South China Sea in recent days, these include flight operations, coordinated navigations, and freedom of navigation activities, as evidenced by various images released by the Pentagon.
It is also noteworthy that this is the second time in December that a U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group has been deployed to the South China Sea. Earlier in the month, prior to its return to San Diego, the presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in the area was confirmed.
Finally, it has been officially announced that the USS Carl Vinson will make another port call in Malaysia. These high-profile visits are anticipated by U.S. diplomatic personnel as a demonstration of American cooperation and presence in the region, aimed at supporting key partners in the Indo-Pacific.
You may also like: The U.S. Air Force seeks to advance the selection of a new ejection seat for its F-16 and F-22 fighters
