The United States has deployed three naval vessels, including two aircraft carriers equipped with F-35 stealth fighter jets, across the Western Pacific amid China’s growing maritime activity.
U.S. Navy officials have confirmed the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, along with the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, into the Western Pacific region. Official photographs of the USS Abraham Lincoln describe the vessel as conducting “routine operations” within the U.S. 7th Fleet’s area of responsibility.
This move follows a significant Chinese naval buildup detected late last week by Australian military officials, who identified a sizable Chinese flotilla approximately 500 nautical miles north of Palau. The USS Abraham Lincoln departed San Diego in late November, and its deployment appears to be a direct response to sustained Chinese naval expansion in the region.
The USS George Washington is currently operating in the Philippine Sea after briefly visiting Guam earlier this month. It is scheduled for routine maintenance in Japan, with the USS Abraham Lincoln expected to assume its duties in the Philippines and South China Seas shortly. The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, which is currently carrying a contingent of F-35B stealth fighter jets, has joined the fleet. Additionally, the cruiser USS Robert Smalls remains at port in Da Nang, Vietnam, as part of celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of U.S.-Vietnam relations.
The Pentagon’s recent actions underscore its efforts to maintain a strong naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region as a deterrent against potential Chinese aggression targeting American allies. The U.S. 7th Fleet, responsible for maritime operations across the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, operates with between 50 and 70 vessels, 150 aircraft, and over 27,000 personnel—making it the largest forward-deployed fleet in the U.S. Navy.
