A United States aircraft carrier displayed military power while patrolling the disputed areas in the South China Sea before docking in Manila yesterday for a scheduled port visit. The USS Theodore Roosevelt made her presence felt at the Philippines’ mineral-rich Recto (Reed) Bank by launching an aerial demonstration. In a span of 20 minutes, 20 F-18 fighter jets took off and landed on the nuclear-powered warship. The Theodore Roosevelt, with her embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 and escorted by guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), then dropped anchor at the mouth of Manila Bay.

Laude, J. (2018, April 12). US carrier patrols SCS before docking in Manila. The Philippine Star, p. 5.