With a deafening roar, the fighter jets catapulted off the US aircraft carrier and soared above the disputed South China Sea, as its admiral vowed that the ship’s presence was proof America still had regional clout. “US presence matters,” Rear Adm. John Fuller told reporters on board the USS Carl Vinson. “I think it’s very clear that we are in the South China Sea. We are operating.”

Macaraig, A. (2018, February 16). US warship sets mission in disputed sea. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.