The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Lincoln conducted joint operations with Australian naval vessels in the South China Sea.

[Provocation! U.S. "Lincoln" Carrier Joins Australian Vessels in Joint Operation in South China Sea]

According to USNI News on September 15, 2026: The Australian Department of Defence announced on Tuesday that the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) recently conducted joint operations with Royal Australian Navy frigates in the South China Sea.

A press release stated that the Australian frigates HMAS Perth (FFH157) and HMAS Stuart (FFH153) provided support during the "Lincoln" Carrier Strike Group’s passage through the South China Sea.

The press release read: “The Australian Defence Force regularly conducts joint training and operations with U.S. forces to enhance interoperability and strengthen collective combat capabilities.”

The announcement did not disclose exactly when the Australian frigates coordinated with the U.S. strike group in the South China Sea. However, archived imagery from the Australian Defence Force dated between September 6 and 11 shows HMAS Perth operating in coordination with the USS Lincoln in the region; photos also captured HMAS Perth conducting underway replenishment with the carrier. No public images have yet been released showing HMAS Stuart operating with the strike group.

According to USNI News’ “Fleet & Marines Tracker” column, as of Monday this week, the USS Lincoln Carrier Strike Group remained active in the South China Sea. The strike group has been operating in the area since September 8—having transited the Strait of Singapore on August 30, and making a stopover in Thailand from September 2 to 6 for rest and refit.

This deployment is nearing its conclusion within the coming weeks. On September 12, the deployment had reached 295 days, making it the second-longest post-Cold War U.S. aircraft carrier deployment, trailing only the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), which concluded its deployment in May this year. The strike group composition includes: the USS Lincoln aircraft carrier, Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9), cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62), and destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121).

Australian authorities reported that HMAS Perth and HMAS Stuart departed Australia in July and August respectively, as part of the Australian Defence Force’s “Regional Presence Deployment” initiative, and will continue participating in future activities with allies and partners.

Malaysian Royal Navy Eastern Fleet Command’s social media post indicated that HMAS Perth was berthed at the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Kota Kinabalu Naval Base from August 27 to September 1.

HMAS Stuart departed Australia on August 24. According to a post by Malaysia’s nearshore patrol vessel KD Selangor (176) on Tuesday, as of Monday, this vessel was also docked at the same base in Kota Kinabalu. The post noted that the commanding officer and crew of HMAS Stuart visited the anchored KD Selangor on Monday.

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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1876439150601226/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author