An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | July 15, 2020

USS Ralph Johnson conducts freedom of navigation operation in South China Sea

U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) operated in the Spratly Islands, July 14. This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea, recognized in international law, by challenging restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea threaten the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations.

The U.S. challenges excessive maritime claims around the world regardless of the identity of the claimant. The international community has an enduring role in preserving the freedom of the seas, which is critical to global security, stability, and prosperity.

U.S. forces continue to operate in the South China Sea on a daily basis, as they have for more than a century.

U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest numbered fleet, 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability, and prevent conflict.

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
Twitter
348,431
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Strength of the Combined Force: Australian, Filipino, U.S. Forces Coming Together to Demonstrate Readiness for Crisis and Contingency Response
U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, Australian Army Soldiers, and Philippine Marines conduct a combined assault during Exercise Alon at Palawan, Philippines, Aug. 22, 2023.  Exercise Alon, part of Indo-Pacific Endeavor 2023, is a bilateral amphibious training activity between the Australian Defence Force and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, supported by MRF-D.  The exercise focused on enhancing interoperability and readiness to respond to shared security challenges. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Maj. Matthew Wolf)
Sept. 29, 2023 - Marines and Sailors of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) joined members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) for Exercise Alon, part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023...

U.S. Special Operations Command Korea selected for Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Sept. 29, 2023 - Today the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) President, Yoon Suk Yeol, awarded U.S. Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR) with the Presidential Unit Citation at the 75th Anniversary ceremony of the ROK Armed Forces Day at Seoul...

20 Military Intelligence Chiefs Meet for 16th Annual IPICC
Courtesy photo
Sept. 28, 2023 - The 16th annual Indo-Pacific Intelligence Chiefs Conference (IPICC) 2023 kicked off, Sept. 10, bringing together directors of military intelligence from 20 countries to Vancouver, Canada to discuss regional issues and shared...

Global Engagement Center Special Report: How the People’s Republic of China Seeks to Reshape the Global Information Environment
Sept. 28, 2023 - Every country should have the ability to tell its story to the world. However, a nation’s narrative should be based on facts and rise and fall on its own merits. The PRC employs a variety of deceptive and coercive methods as...

U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Statement on Reaffirming U.S.-Pacific Partnership
Sept. 28, 2023 - We—the governments of Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa,...