U.S. bolsters Western Pacific presence with carriers: report

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Nearly half of the U.S. active aircraft carriers may be deployed in the western Pacific in 2024, signaling deterrence over the increasing military activities in the region by China and North Korea.

According to the South China Morning Post article published on Feb. 15, of the 11 active U.S. aircraft carriers, three are currently operating in the Western Pacific with an additional two set to arrive.

This marks the first time five U.S. carriers are concurrently in operation in the Western Pacific, the report stated.

On Feb. 5, the U.S. Naval Institute's ship and Marine Corps tracking website observed that the USS Abraham Lincoln, part of the US Pacific Fleet, was spotted leaving its homeport in San Diego, California, headed towards the Western Pacific.

Furthermore, the USS George Washington is slated for deployment in the Western Pacific, replacing the USS Ronald Reagan.

In addition to the Reagan, the USS Carl Vinson and USS Theodore Roosevelt were deployed to Guam and Hawaii respectively on Feb. 12 and are scheduled to remain in the Western Pacific until April and July, solidifying the U.S. naval presence in the region.