Carl Vinson CSG sails with ROK Navy and JMSDF in recent trilateral naval exercise. (DVIDS)
The US Navy’s Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has recently transited the Malacca Strait en route to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) for continued operations.
The group, which includes the USS CarlVinson (CVN-70), USS Princeton (CG-59), and USS Sterett (DDG-104), sailed north through the Malacca Strait on Friday, April 4, following a previous report that the CarlVinson CSG would replace the Harry S. Truman CSG in CENTCOM for ongoing operations in Yemen.
As part of the US Navy’s rotational deployment, the CarlVinson CSG is now positioned to join CENTCOM, while the Harry S. Truman CSG’s deployment has been extended by one month to maintain US military presence in the region. This move is part of ongoing efforts to support US military operations, including continued airstrikes against Houthi forces in Yemen.
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) departs Guam after a scheduled port visit, March 28, 2025. (DVIDS)
Meanwhile, the USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110), which had previously deployed with the CarlVinson CSG, is not continuing with the group toward CENTCOM.
The US Navy’s deployment through the Malacca Strait comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly regarding the activities of China’s military.
Response from China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)
As the Carl Vinson CSG made its way through the Malacca Strait, China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) resumed its activities in the South China Sea.
The PLAN Shandong CSG, which had recently participated in drills near Taiwan, returned to the South China Sea after conducting military exercises that included 40 launches and recoveries of fighter aircraft and 30 helicopter take-offs and landings.
The Shandong CSG was closely monitored by Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), which shadowed the Chinese ships as they moved toward the South China Sea.
The US Navy’s Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has recently transited the Malacca Strait en route to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) for continued operations.
The group, which includes the USS CarlVinson (CVN-70), USS Princeton (CG-59), and USS Sterett (DDG-104), sailed north through the Malacca Strait on Friday, April 4, following a previous report that the CarlVinson CSG would replace the Harry S. Truman CSG in CENTCOM for ongoing operations in Yemen.
As part of the US Navy’s rotational deployment, the CarlVinson CSG is now positioned to join CENTCOM, while the Harry S. Truman CSG’s deployment has been extended by one month to maintain US military presence in the region. This move is part of ongoing efforts to support US military operations, including continued airstrikes against Houthi forces in Yemen.
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) departs Guam after a scheduled port visit, March 28, 2025. (DVIDS)
Meanwhile, the USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110), which had previously deployed with the CarlVinson CSG, is not continuing with the group toward CENTCOM.
The US Navy’s deployment through the Malacca Strait comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly regarding the activities of China’s military.
Response from China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)
As the Carl Vinson CSG made its way through the Malacca Strait, China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) resumed its activities in the South China Sea.
The PLAN Shandong CSG, which had recently participated in drills near Taiwan, returned to the South China Sea after conducting military exercises that included 40 launches and recoveries of fighter aircraft and 30 helicopter take-offs and landings.
The Shandong CSG was closely monitored by Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), which shadowed the Chinese ships as they moved toward the South China Sea.
Another day of heavy PLA activity around Taiwan
The Chinese exercises ended yesterday, but PLA activity remains very high.
59 PLA aircraft, 23 PLAN vessels and 8 official ships were detected operating around Taiwan up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today.
Japan’s Joint Staff Office (JSO) issued multiple reports on the PLAN Shandong CSG’s movements, noting that it conducted operations in the Philippine Sea before returning to the South China Sea.
The PLAN’s activities were closely tracked by Japanese naval assets, including the JMSDF destroyer JS Onami (DD-111), which shadowed the Chinese fleet during its movements.
Additionally, China’s naval activities come amid broader regional security concerns, including the ongoing US presence in the South China Sea.
Japan’s JSO report
Tensions have been high due to frequent military maneuvers by both the US and China in the region, with the Chinese government emphasizing its stance on maritime sovereignty and national security.
US-China Military Talks
In parallel to these developments, the US and China held military talks in Shanghai from April 2-3, focused on reducing unsafe and unprofessional actions by the Chinese military.
Both sides reviewed the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Rules of Behavior for the Safety of Air and Maritime Encounters, a framework aimed at preventing misunderstandings and miscalculations in encounters between military forces.
The talks were characterized by candid and constructive exchanges regarding air and maritime security, as well as measures to address increasing tensions in the region.
Representatives from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, and U.S. Coast Guard met with representatives from China’s People Liberation Army Navy and Air Force for the semi-annual Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) working group.
— U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (@INDOPACOM) April 3, 2025
China’s military, through its release, highlighted its concerns over US reconnaissance, surveys, and high-intensity military exercises near China’s coast.
The Chinese military emphasized that such activities could lead to misunderstandings and miscalculations, jeopardizing China’s sovereignty and military security.
It reiterated that it would respond to what it termed “dangerous provocations” in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations to safeguard national territorial sovereignty.
Conclusion
The US Navy’s operations in the Malacca Strait and continued presence in CENTCOM show its focus on freedom of navigation and regional stability. As the Carl Vinson CSG heads toward CENTCOM, China’s PLAN activities in the South China Sea highlight the complex security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
Recent military talks between the US and China emphasize the need for dialogue to avoid misunderstandings between the two powers, especially in such a sensitive area. Managing these tensions will be key to maintaining stability in the region.
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Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
The SOFREP News Team is a collective of professional military journalists.
Brandon Tyler Webb is the SOFREP News Team's Editor-in-Chief.
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Brandon and Guy both manage the SOFREP News Team.
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