Washington: The US is tense over China's large-scale military exercises near Taiwan. As a result, it has deployed two aircraft carriers and an amphibious assault ship to the Western Pacific Ocean. The US warships are closely monitoring all Chinese activity near Taiwan. The US fears that China may use the exercises as a pretext to attack Taiwan. The exercises conducted by China were around Taiwan, with some taking place just 12 km from the Taiwanese coast. This has prompted Taiwan to place its military on high alert.
USS Abraham Lincoln on Patrol
According to the US Naval Institute (USNI) Fleet and Marine Tracker update, the Nimitz-class carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, along with its carrier strike group, has arrived in the South China Sea for routine operations. The USS Lincoln briefly stopped at Naval Base Guam on December 11 after departing San Diego in late November. The aircraft carrier then proceeded to the Philippine Sea southeast of Taiwan before entering the South China Sea.
Exercises Conducted with F-35C
Recent US Navy photos show F-35C Lightning II stealth fighter jets taking off from and landing on the USS Abraham Lincoln. The photos also show the F-35C Lightning II refueling in mid-air with tanker aircraft. This significantly increases the operational capabilities of the fighter jets. The USS Abraham Lincoln is 333 meters long. This aircraft carrier carries 90 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
USS Tripoli also present in the area
In addition to this aircraft carrier, the America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli was also conducting routine operations in the South China Sea in early December. The USS Tripoli is capable of launching and recovering F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) jets. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is currently embarked on this ship. According to fleet tracking data, as of December 22, 2025, the Tripoli was patrolling the East China Sea with ships from its Expeditionary Strike Group, including the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls and the destroyer USS Rafael Peralta.
USS George Washington deployed in Japan
The USS George Washington aircraft carrier is also deployed at its homeport in Yokosuka, Japan. It is the only permanently deployed US Navy aircraft carrier in the region. It is the sixth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. This aircraft carrier is 332.8 meters long. It is equipped with nuclear reactors and steam turbines, which allow it to travel at a speed of 30 knots (56 km/h). This aircraft carrier also carries 90 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
