MANILA, Philippines (AP) – The U.S. military has deployed the third U.S. aircraft carrier this year to patrol the South China Sea, a disputed region where Washington has criticized China’s military buildup on new man-made islands.
The 97,000-ton USS Ronald Reagan, carrying more than 70 aircraft, anchored in Manila Bay on Tuesday after plying the contended waters for meetings between navy officials of the two countries and liberty for its thousands of sailors after weeks at sea.
Rear Admiral Marc Dalton says the U.S. military presence in the region “has supported our ability to defend our nation and our allies” and “promotes our ability to safeguard freedom of the seas, unimpeded commerce, to deter conflict and coercion.”
A U.S. sailor takes photos of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as it anchors off Manila Bay for a goodwill visit Tuesday, June 26, 2018 west of Manila, Philippines. The U.S. military has deployed the U.S. aircraft carrier to patrol the South China Sea “to deter conflict and coercion” in a disputed region where Washington has moved against China’s military buildup on manmade islands. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
Fighter jets are seen on the deck of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as it anchors off Manila Bay for a goodwill visit Tuesday, June 26, 2018 west of Manila, Philippines. The U.S. military has deployed the U.S. aircraft carrier to patrol the South China Sea “to deter conflict and coercion” in a disputed region where Washington has moved against China’s military buildup on manmade islands. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
A fishing boat is dwarfed by the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as it anchors off Manila Bay for a goodwill visit Tuesday, June 26, 2018, in Manila, Philippines. The U.S. military has deployed another U.S. aircraft carrier to patrol the South China Sea “to deter conflict and coercion” in a disputed region where Washington has moved against China’s military buildup on manmade islands. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
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