Two aircraft carriers of the United States Navy have resumed exercises in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), marking the second time this month they entered the highly contested waters and potentially renewing tensions there. A statement on the US Pacific Fleet website posted on Friday said the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) carrier strike groups (CSG), with more than 12,000 sailors and marines, have “continued” their “high-end dual-carrier exercises” in the sea. The two, which have different aircraft on board, were conducting tactical air defense exercises aimed to “maintain warfighting readiness and proficiency.”

Reyes, D. (2020, July 18). US Navy carriers resume drills in South China Sea. The Manila Times, pp. A1, A2.