U.S., Australian Ships Conduct Drills In South China Sea

Washington DC (UPI) Jun 11, 2021

A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer joined an Australian Navy frigate for exercises this week in the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy announced on Friday.

The USS Curtis Wilbur and the HMAS Ballarat spent a week of “cooperative operations with maneuvering drills and a replenishment at-sea with USNS Big Horn,” a U.S. Navy statement said, in the contested area bordered by China, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The two ships conducted cross-deck helicopter operations, live-fire gunnery exercises and joint maritime operations.

The sea is the passageway for the majority of China’s energy imports, and much of its total trade. Disputes in the area involve sovereignty of the islands, reefs, banks and other features of the South China Sea, with China’s claims on the area leading to what observers have noticed is an increased military presence there.

“This exercise builds on the strong and enduring mateships that exist between the RAN [Royal Australian Navy] and U. S. Navy,” commented Cmdr. Anthony Pisani, HMAS Ballarat commander, at the conclusion of the six-day exercise.

“It also shows that together we are committed to a secure and stable maritime environment, and promotes the importance of Navy-to-Navy relationships across the region,” Pisani said.

The USS Curtis Wilbur is assigned to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet and conducts operations throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

The HMAS Ballarat arrived in the South China Sea after completing training with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship Murasame during the first week of June.

The two ships met near the coast of Japan for one day, conducting “various maritime maneuvers,” the Australian Defense Department said.

U.S. Pacific Fleet Chief Visits USS Ronald Reagan While At Sea

Washington DC (UPI) Jun 11, 2021 – The U.S. Pacific Fleet commander met with Carrier Strike Group 5 leaders this week aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, the Navy announced on Friday.

Adm. Samuel Paparo boarded the vessel, the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, as it sailed in the western Pacific Ocean, accompanied by escort ships and its carrier wing of fighter planes and helicopters.

He met with SGC-5 commander Rear Adm. Will Pennington and chiefs of the escort ships USS Shiloh and USS Halsey, a Navy statement said.

Paparo also addressed the aircraft carrier’s crew from the ship’s combat direction center.

“It was very important to me to come out and talk with you, here, as you continue to hone the razor’s edge to be ready for combat throughout the world,” he said. “I have a particular appreciation for you and your teamwork, your hard work, your combat readiness, your fidelity, and your zeal. I could not be more proud to be associated with this team.”

The ship and its strike group departed its homeport of Naval Base Yokosuka, Japan, on May 19.

They were visited by 7th Fleet Vice Adm. Bill Merz last week while in the Philippine Sea. Visits by commanding officers while at sea are regarded as rare.

“It is incredibly important for our team to hear from the commander of Pacific Fleet,” said Cmdr. Kelechi Ndukwe, commanding officer of the USS Halsey after Pennington’s visit. “I’m going to reiterate to my crew what he said about the incredible environment we’re operating in.

Courtesy: SpaceWar