The entry of the United States Navy’s Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) in the South China Sea came as a ‘welcome development’ in the exercise of freedom of navigation operations (FONOPS) in the tension-filled waters, a top Philippine Navy official disclosed Wednesday, April 7. The US Navy’s 7th Fleet said that the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group entered the South China Sea on April 4 to conduct “routine operations.” The US battle group is consisted of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), Destroyer Squadron 23, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59).

Sadongdong, M. A. (2021, April 8). PN Chief: US Theodore Roosevelt Strike Group at S. China Sea a 'welcome development'. Manila Bulletin, p. 2.