The USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group arrived in Malaysia a few days ago, marking a key stop in its deployment in the South China Sea. The entry of U.S. Navy vessels into Port Klang is significant, being the second visit by a U.S. aircraft carrier to Malaysia within just over a month since 2012.
According to the U.S. Navy, the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group includes the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) aircraft carrier, the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59), and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Sterett (DDG-104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110). The Vinson also hosts personnel and aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Two, which includes the following squadrons:
- VFA-2 “Bounty Hunters” with F/A-18F Super Hornets
- VFA-111 “The Stingers” with F/A-18E Super Hornets
- VFA-192 “World Famous Golden Dragons” with F/A-18E Super Hornets
- VFA-97 “Warhawks” with F-35C Lightning II
- VAQ-136 “Gauntlets” with EA-18G Growlers
- VAW-113 “Black Eagles” with E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes
- VRC-30 Detachment 30 “Providers” with CMV-22 Ospreys
- HSC-4 “Black Knights” with MH-60S Seahawks
- HSM-78 “Blue Hawks” with MH-60R Seahawks
Edgard D. Kagan, U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, emphasized:“The consecutive visits of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and the USS Abraham Lincoln to Malaysia underscore the depth and strength of our security ties, a lasting cornerstone of the Comprehensive Partnership between the United States and Malaysia… Building on decades of close cooperation, we continue to strengthen our security partnership and remain committed to working with Malaysia to advance our shared vision of a free, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”
Rear Admiral Michael Wosje, Commander of Carrier Strike Group One (CSG-1), added:“Malaysia is a key partner for us in the Indo-Pacific. Our visit reinforces the importance of this partnership for the United States… Visiting Port Klang provides an important and unique opportunity to collaborate with our counterparts in the Royal Malaysian Navy, continuing to strengthen our strategic and mutually beneficial partnership, while also giving our sailors well-deserved downtime to explore the area and build connections within the community.”
In recent weeks, the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group has conducted various activities in the South China Sea, including flight operations, coordinated navigation drills, and freedom of navigation operations, as reported by the U.S. Department of Defense.
It is also noteworthy that this is the second deployment of a U.S. Navy carrier strike group in the South China Sea in less than a month. Earlier in December, before its return to San Diego, the presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) was confirmed in the region.
The Carl Vinson strike group is currently operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet’s area of operations, one of the most critical forward-deployed elements of the U.S. Navy. Its continuous presence in Indo-Pacific waters aligns with Washington’s strategy to strengthen relationships with allied and partner nations in the region while maintaining its strategic competition with China.
Cover image for illustration. Credits: U.S. Navy – Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nate Jordan
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