As members of the US Navy stroll aboard the colossal aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in Chon Buri province, their presence in Thailand serves as a reaffirmation of the United States’ commitment to a“free and open Indo-Pacific” region. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, which began its 11-month mission within the US 7th Fleet area of operations in November, is currently docked at Laem Chabang port, taking a brief break from its notable engagements with Japanese, South Korean, and Philippine forces.
As spokesman Lt Ben Bushong explains, their passage through the disputed territories of the South China Sea has been unobstructed, attesting further to the nature of the Indo-Pacific as being free and open. While Lt Bushong refrained from disclosing the carrier strike group’s upcoming destinations following their Thai visit, he emphasized the group’s intention to visit every region in the Indo-Pacific.
It was on a bright and sunny Monday that the carrier strike group, consisting of USS Nimitz, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur and USS Wayne E Meyer, and a fleet of F/A-18 combat aircraft, made its grand entrance into Thailand. The striking vessel – standing as tall as a 23-story building and spanning the width of four football fields – arrived with its crew of approximately 5,000 personnel, who eagerly looked forward to exploring the beauty of the Pattaya and Chon Buri ports during their shore leave. In Lt Bushong’s words, “We like to visit Thailand.”
The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group’s docking in Thailand serves as a significant reminder of the US Navy’s unwavering dedication to maintaining peace and stability across vast stretches of global waters. By exercising their expansive naval prowess and engaging with regional partners like Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, the US is setting the tone of its approach to the Indo-Pacific: one of freedom, open access, and collaboration with fellow maritime forces.
As the sun sets on the majestic USS Nimitz and its accompanying vessels, the crew members aboard can take pride in their part in establishing a more secure and inviting Indo-Pacific for all. With their broad reach and powerful presence, the US Navy continues to be a formidable force navigating the international waters, helping to make the world a safer place for everyone, well beyond the shores of Thailand.
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