【By Observer News, Mountain Cat】
According to USNI News on July 3, the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-73) arrived at Manila Port in the Philippines on Thursday (July 3), marking the first visit of the ship since its forward deployment in Japan at the end of last year. The last time an American aircraft carrier visited the Philippines was on January 7, 2024, when the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) docked in Manila. The previous visit by the George H.W. Bush was during its previous forward deployment in Japan in October 24, 2012.
July 3, the USS George H.W. Bush arrives at Manila Port, AFP
According to earlier reports, the George H.W. Bush left the Yokosuka Base in Japan on June 10, and conducted carrier qualification training with the CVW-5 air wing onboard. After completing the training on the 16th, the George H.W. Bush immediately began its summer cruise. This is the first operational deployment since the ship arrived in Japan in late November last year. Currently, the escort ships in the George H.W. Bush carrier strike group include the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86).
June 28, the USS George H.W. Bush conducts a maritime refueling operation east of the Philippines, U.S. Navy
Local Philippine media ABS-CBN also reported that the George H.W. Bush arrived at Manila Port on July 3. According to messages released by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines on social media, the George H.W. Bush was located in the Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines (also known as the Philippine Sea) on Monday (June 30), entered the South China Sea on Tuesday (July 1), and during the period from that day to Wednesday (July 2), the carrier welcomed diplomats from U.S. allies such as Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom stationed in the Philippines, as well as local Philippine media who flew aboard.
American allied diplomats and Philippine media board the USS George H.W. Bush for a tour, U.S. Embassy in the Philippines' social media account
With the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) carrier strike group leaving the Middle East, the only remaining aircraft carrier force in the Indo-Pacific region is the George H.W. Bush strike group. In addition, the "America" amphibious readiness group, consisting of the America-class amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6), the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD-22), the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD-47), and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is currently operating in the Coral Sea and preparing to participate in the multinational joint exercise "Rim of the Pacific 2025" from July 13 to August 4. The British Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09) will also head to Australia to join this exercise after completing its recent visit to Singapore.
This article is exclusive to Observer News. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7523126558438015515/
Statement: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of Observer News. Please express your opinion below using the [Up/Down] buttons.