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Guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) conducts routine underway operations on Dec. 30, 2020, within the Taiwan Strait in assist of stability and safety for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Sea management is foundational for all different naval missions that assist the Joint Drive, together with energy projection. US Navy photograph.
Two Japan-based destroyers carried out a Taiwan Strait transit at present, within the second such transit in three weeks and the fourth general mission throughout that point to push again towards extreme maritime claims within the Pacific.
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) carried out a routine Taiwan Strait transit Dec. 31 native time, or Dec. 30 within the continental United States.
The ships’ transit by means of the Taiwan Strait was made in accordance with worldwide regulation and demonstrates the U.S. dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific, based on an announcement from U.S. seventh Fleet. “The USA navy will proceed to fly, sail and function wherever worldwide regulation permits,” the assertion provides.
Junior Officer of the Deck Ensign Russell Pico, from Jacksonville, Florida, communicates with the ship’s fight data heart whereas standing watch within the pilot home aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) because the ship conducts routine underway operations on Dec. 30, 2020, within the Taiwan Strait in assist of stability and safety for a free and open Indo-Pacific. US Navy photograph.
On Dec. 18, USS Mustin (DDG-89) also conducted a Taiwan Strait transit. Shortly afterwards, China’s new plane provider, Shandong, moved by means of the strait as nicely en path to the South China Sea.
On Dec. 22, McCain performed a freedom of navigation operation within the South China Sea close to the Spratly Islands, which Taiwan, China and Vietnam have all claimed as their very own.
Simply two days later, McCain reappeared off Vietnam for one more FONOP within the neighborhood of the Con Dao Islands within the South China Sea. Whereas the Spratly Islands are a extra widespread goal for FONOps, this location was extra uncommon. “The ship carried out regular operations inside Vietnam’s claimed territorial seas to problem extreme maritime claims and protect entry and navigational freedoms according to worldwide regulation,” seventh Fleet mentioned on the time concerning McCain’s operation.
Ensign Joseph Hurd, far left, from Foley, Alabama, and Lt. j.g. Daniel Feeney, from Outdated Greenwich, Connecticut, scan the horizon whereas standing watch within the pilot home as guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) conducts routine underway operations on Dec. 30, 2020, within the Taiwan Strait in assist of stability and safety for a free and open Indo-Pacific. US Navy photograph.
The next is the total assertion from U.S. seventh Fleet:
Taiwan Strait — The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) carried out a routine Taiwan Strait transit Dec. 31 (native time) in accordance with worldwide regulation. The ships’ transit by means of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The USA navy will proceed to fly, sail and function wherever worldwide regulation permits.
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