Dzirhan Mahadzir – July 3, 2025 5:00 PM
Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) arrived in Manila on Thursday for a port visit, the first since it departed Japan in June for its first patrol as a forward-deployed ship.
Philippine news channel ABS-CBN reported that George Washington was in Manila Bay for a port visit beginning Thursday. The carrier was in the Philippine Sea on Monday and in the South China Sea on Tuesday, when it hosted diplomats based in the Philippines from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the U.K., according to a social media post by the U.S Embassy in the Philippines. The carrier then hosted Philippine media Wednesday.
The George Washington Carrier Strike Group includes carrier George Washington, cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) and destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86). George Washington departed Yokosuka on June 10 to carry out carrier qualification training for its embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, completing it on June 16, and immediately starting its summer patrol.
The George Washington CSG is currently the only U.S. Navy CSG operating in the Indo-Pacific since the Nimitz CSG departed for the Middle East. The America Amphibious Ready Group with amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6), amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD-22), amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD-47) and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is the only ARG/MEU team operating in the Indo-Pacific. The America ARG is in the Coral Sea conducting operations ahead of its participation in the U.S.-Australian led multinational exercise Talisman Sabre ,which takes place from July 13 to Aug. 4 in Australia.
The United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group, led by Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09), is now making its way across the Java Sea, sailing to Australia to take part in Talisman Sabre. RN destroyer HMS Dauntless (D33), Royal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG42), RN frigate HMS Richmond (F239), Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ville De Quebec (FFH332), Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha (F77), Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen (F311), Spanish Navy frigate ESPS Mendez Nunez (F-104) and fleet oiler RFA Tidespring (A136) is escorting Prince of Wales.
The U.K. CSG split off between Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, carrying out port visits with Prince of Wales, Dauntless, Sydney, Roald Amundsen and Tidespring departing from Singapore on Sunday. In contrast, Ville De Quebec departed Port Klang, Malaysia, on the same day to rejoin the U.K. CSG. Richmond, Te Kaha and Mendez Nunez departed from Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday.
On Thursday, the People’s Liberation Army Navy Shandong Carrier Strike Group – carrier Shandong, cruiser CNS Yan’an (106), destroyer CNS Zhanjiang (165) and frigate CNS Yuncheng (571) – arrived in Hong Kong to carry out a port visit until Monday. The visit marks the carrier’s first visit to the city.
China’s other operational carrier, CNS Liaoning (16), visited the city in 2017. The Shandong CSG conducted dual carrier operations with the Liaoning CSG in the Philippine Sea in June, with both CSGs returning to their home ports after departing the Philippine Sea.
China has ramped up its aerial operations around Taiwan ahead of Taiwan’s annual military exercise Han Kuang, held from July 9-18.
On Wednesday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported that from 6 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday, People’s Liberation Army aircraft conducting 53 sorties and eight PLAN ships were detected operating around Taiwan. Thirty-seven out of 53 sorties crossed the median line between Taiwan and China, entering Taiwan’s northern and southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone.
On Thursday, the MND reported that from 6 a.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday, 41 PLA aircraft sorties and nine PLAN vessels were detected, with 30 out of 41 sorties crossing the median line and entering Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. The ADIZ is a larger area than air space and is claimed by an individual state.
Japan’s Joint Staff Office issued a Wednesday news release on flights of suspected Chinese unmanned aerial vehicles, which appeared to be conducting surveillance flights over the Philippine Sea off Taiwan’s east coast.
On Wednesday morning, a presumed Chinese UAV had flown in from the East China Sea, passed between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan and subsequently flew over the Philippine Sea off Taiwan’s east coast, according to the release, which included a map showing the drone reaching a point parallel to the center of Taiwan’s east coast before turning back. The UAV flew back the same way and passed between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan to return to the East China Sea.
A presumed Chinese UAV flew in from the East China Sea, passed between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan, and flew over the Philippine Sea, according to the release. Fighter aircraft from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force scrambled in response.
The Republic of Korea Navy issued a Thursday news release saying it began operational service of its six P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, which arrived in South Korea in June last year.
Over the past year, the ROKN completed all preparations for operational deployment, including crew and maintenance personnel training, day and night flight training, tactical training, and final evaluations, according to the release.
“The P-8A is expected to enhance the Republic of Korea Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities and serve as a force that can respond quickly in the event of maritime operations,” reads the release.
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