ALERT: U.S. Navy USS Nimitz conducts flight operations in South China Sea boosting dual carrier presence in Indo-Pacific.

According to information published by the U.S. Navy on May 27, 2025, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) conducted high-tempo flight operations in the South China Sea with F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft from the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22. Operating under the U.S. 7th Fleet as part of a scheduled Indo-Pacific deployment, the Nimitz’s mission reflects the Navy’s enduring commitment to upholding peace, maritime freedom, and stability across this increasingly contested region.
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An E/A-18G Growler from the “Cougars” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, May 27, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The U.S. Navy USS Nimitz aircraft carrier departed Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, on March 21, 2025, and is leading Carrier Strike Group 11 (CSG 11) on what is expected to be its final deployment before retirement. The strike group includes Carrier Air Wing 17, Destroyer Squadron 9, and a number of guided-missile destroyers, forming a powerful naval force capable of conducting sustained operations across vast maritime areas. The return of the Nimitz to the South China Sea marks a calculated response to growing regional challenges, especially in light of expanding territorial assertions by China and increased maritime militarization.

The current presence of the Nimitz in the South China Sea is part of a broader coordinated operation involving the USS George Washington (CVN 73), also underway in nearby waters off Northeast Asia. This simultaneous deployment of two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers in the Western Pacific is of strategic importance. Dual carrier operations are rare and serve as a potent demonstration of American resolve, military reach, and operational synergy. This display of naval strength reinforces deterrence, enhances interoperability with allies, and signals that the United States retains the capability and willingness to operate freely in international waters.

Adding to this show of force is the presence of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in the Philippine Sea. Although classified differently from aircraft carriers, the America is fully capable of launching fixed-wing aircraft and rotary-wing assets, including F-35B stealth fighters and MV-22 Ospreys, giving it significant air power and amphibious assault capabilities. Together, these three warships create a layered and mobile defense posture that greatly increases the U.S. Navy’s flexibility and response options in the Indo-Pacific theater.

The strategic significance of dual carrier operations in the South China Sea cannot be overstated. The region is a global maritime crossroads through which trillions of dollars in trade pass each year. Continued efforts to enforce freedom of navigation and international maritime law are critical to global economic stability and the preservation of sovereign rights for Indo-Pacific nations. With increasing incidents of coercive behavior, gray-zone tactics, and illegal maritime claims, the United States and its allies are reaffirming their commitment to a free, open, and rules-based international order.

By maintaining a robust and visible naval presence, the United States is working to prevent conflict through credible deterrence, support regional partners in capacity-building efforts, and ensure that critical sea lanes remain open and secure. The USS Nimitz’s ongoing operations, in conjunction with those of the George Washington and America, underscore a unified message: the Indo-Pacific remains a priority theater where peace, stability, and international law must be protected through vigilance, cooperation, and strength.