Theodore roosevelt strike group enters disputed south china sea for 2nd time

The Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group has entered the disputed South China Sea for the second time on its current deployment from San Diego, the Navy announced Tuesday. The Navy said

the nuclear-powered USS Theodore Roosevelt and accompanying San Diego-based warships USS Bunker Hill and USS Russell began the freedom-of-navigation mission on Sunday in international waters

near China. “It is great to be back in the South China Sea to reassure our allies and partners that we remain committed to freedom of the seas,” said Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo, commander of

Carrier Strike Group Nine. “Over the course of the strike group’s deployment, we have demonstrated our commitment to the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region by operating with our

friends from Australia, India, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.” While in the South China Sea, the strike group will conduct flight operations, maritime strike exercises, anti-submarine

operations and coordinated tactical training. “I could not be more proud of the hard work and professionalism that this crew has shown every day during this deployment,” said Capt. Eric

Anduze, the Roosevelt’s commanding officer. “Our sailors’ tenacity and warfighting prowess is unmatched and is a testament to our Navy’s resolve to maintain free and prosperous seas.” China

has fortified a series of tiny island in the South China Sea and claims wide jurisdiction over areas that the United States considers international waters. The Roosevelt and its accompanying

ships are operating in the 7th Fleet, which commands as many as 70 ships and submarines in the Western Pacific and Indian oceans. The Roosevelt departed San Diego on December 23.