Reagan Carrier Strike Group heads back into South China Sea amid increasing tension with China

 Geoff Ziezulewicz

5 hours ago

An F/A-18E assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron 27 launches off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan Thursday in the South China Sea. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Codie L. Soule/Navy)

The aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan and its strike group returned to the South China Sea Thursday for the third time in its 2020 deployment.

The Japan-based carrier is joined by Carrier Air Wing 5, the guided-missile cruiser Antietam and the guided-missile destroyers John S. McCain and Halsey.

There, the strike group is conducting flight operations, maritime strike exercises and training between surface and air units.

The South China Sea continues to be an area of contention, with Beijing increasingly laying claim to the waters while the United States and partners continue to send ships into the region to signal to China that the waters should remain international. On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping told his troops to “put all (their) minds and energy on preparing for war," according to CNN.

“Throughout our deployment, we continue our long tradition demonstrating the United States' commitment to the lawful use of the seas and maintaining open access to the international commons,” strike group commander Rear Adm. George Wikoff said in a statement.