The U.S. Nimitz Carrier Strike Group began operations in the South China Sea

Photos released by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in January show the USS Nimitz passing through the South China Sea.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said on the 17th that the Nimitz aircraft carrier strike group began operations in the South China Sea on January 12, which is the first time that the battle group has operated in the South China Sea during its deployment from 2022 to 2023.

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is conducting strike training, anti-submarine operations, integrated multi-domain and surface-air joint training, and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft flights in the South China Sea. The carrier's operations in the South China Sea are part of the U.S. Navy's regular operations in the Indo-Pacific.

Indopacom said the operators of the 11th Carrier Strike Group were on the Nimitz aircraft carrier. The USS Bunker Hill guided-missile cruiser, the USS Decatur guided-missile destroyer, the USS Chung Hoon guided-missile destroyer, the USS Wayne E Meyer guided-missile destroyer, and the 17th Carrier Flight Wing (CVW 17) flight squadron are attached to the carrier strike group, providing firepower in all areas of air, sea and land.

Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney, commander of Carrier Strike Group 11, said, "Nimitz Carrier Strike Group has the ability to deliver combined lethal and non-lethal effects across every axis and every domain, from space to the bottom of the sea," and "the tenacity and combat prowess of our sailors is unparalleled and testifies to our nation's determination to work with our allies and partners to preserve free and open seas." ”

The strike group continues to work to protect rights and freedoms and the lawful use of the seas, working with allies and partners to uphold the rules-based international order, U.S. Indopacom said. The 11th Carrier Strike Group has demonstrated its ability to become an overwhelming maritime power if necessary.