Navy Admirals Reject Beijing's Claim that Dual-Carrier Drills in South China Sea Were ‘Symbolic'
11 Feb 2021
Stars and Stripes | By Caitlin Doornbos
The commanders of two U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups in a conference call Wednesday dismissed Chinese critiques of their drills this week in the South China Sea.
The strike groups operated side-by-side Tuesday, honing their tactical proficiency and ability to work together, Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo, commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group, told reporters during the call.
Verissimo said the two-carrier rendezvous occurred more from convenience than any intent to provoke the Chinese, who lay claim to most of the area and object to U.S. naval presence there.
"The fact that we came together in the South China Sea was based on our navigation plan and making the most efficient route to and from our areas," Verissimo said.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/02/11/navy-admirals-reject-beijings-claim-dual-carrier-drills-south-china-sea-were-symbolic.html/amp
