Month: November 2023

Source: United States Navy

The PRC, Vietnam, and Taiwan each claim the entirety of the Spratly Islands, while the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei also claim certain features. The PRC, Vietnam and Taiwan each require either permission or advance notification before a military vessel or warship engages in “innocent passage” through their territorial sea, in violation of international law. Under customary international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention, the ships of all States – including their warships – enjoy the right of innocent passage through a territorial sea. The unilateral imposition of any authorization or advance-notification requirement for innocent passage in unlawful. By engaging in innocent passage without giving prior notification to or asking permission from any of the claimants, the United States challenged these unlawful restrictions imposed by the PRC, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The United States demonstrated that innocent passage in not subject to such restrictions.  

Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations.

The United States challenges excessive maritime claims around the world regardless of the identity of the claimant. Customary international law reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention protects certain rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea enjoyed by all nations. The international community has an enduring role in preserving the freedom of the seas, which is critical to global security, stability, and prosperity.

The United States upholds freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle. As long as some countries continue to claim and assert limits on rights that exceed their authority under international law, the United States will continue to defend the rights and freedoms of the sea guaranteed to all. No member of the international community should be intimidated or coerced into giving up their rights and freedoms. 

U.S. forces operate in the South China Sea on a daily basis, as they have for more than a century. They routinely operate in close coordination with like-minded allies and partners that share our commitment to uphold a free and open international order that promotes security and prosperity. All of our operations are conducted safely, professionally, and in accordance with customary international law. The operations demonstrate that the United States will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows – regardless of the location of excessive maritime claims and regardless of current events. 

Source: United States Navy

The three-day long symposium was designed to enhance mine countermeasure coordination, training, cooperation and improve capabilities in mine countermeasures operations. The symposium’s theme for 2023 was Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) in mine warfare and included presentations from participating militaries and industry specialists on autonomous mine detection and clearance technologies.

“The 2023 Mine Countermeasures Symposium had the greatest participation to date and is the first time since 2014 that U.S. Naval Forces Korea has expanded participation to allies and partners outside of the United Nations Command,” said Lt. Cmdr. Natalia Widulinski, a Foreign Area Officer assigned to Naval Forces Korea. “The expansion of the symposium highlights the importance of mine warfare as a mission area, and focuses on improving interoperability between the ROK, U.S., UNC member states, and allies and partners.”

Nations participating in the symposium include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Symposium attendees also participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, honoring those who had given their lives in Defense of Korea and reaffirming their commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region.

MNMIWEX 23 is part of an annual series of exercises hosted by Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) designed to increase proficiency in mine countermeasure operations between numerous naval forces. During the exercise, participants worked together to clear a route for ships through a simulated minefield using unit-level mine warfare tactics to include mine hunting, detection and neutralization.

Capt. Michael O’Neill, commodore of Mine Countermeasures Squadron Seven, said, “The exercise provided a great opportunity to operate in a challenging, multilateral maritime environment, and afforded us the opportunity to build on our already strong relationship with the Republic of Korea and international partners.”
The multinational mine warfare force worked together throughout the exercise to conduct mine countermeasure operations. This training allowed all the units to practice communicating and operating in a combined environment and provide increased mine countermeasures interoperability and readiness to respond to a contingency on the Korean peninsula.

Participating nations contributing forces for the exercise include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Participating U.S. forces include staff from Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCMRON) 7, Mine Countermeasures Helicopter Squadron 15 Detachment 3A, USS Chief (MCM 14), USS Warrior (MCM 10), and USS Pioneer (MCM 9).

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty, which serves as the foundation of our alliance and a force for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.

MCMRON 7, forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan, is responsible for conducting integrated mine countermeasure operations using air, surface, and explosive ordnance disposal assets in both exercise and regional conflict scenarios throughout the U.S. Seventh Fleet area of responsibility.

Source: United States Navy

“I am honored to have been confirmed as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations, and am proud to serve alongside the Sailors and civilians that make up our Navy team,” Franchetti said. “I look forward to continuing to lead the world’s most powerful Navy.”

Franchetti most recently served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations, a billet held from Sept. 2022 to Nov. 2023. She is a native of Rochester, New York and was commissioned in 1985. Her operational tours include commanding officer of USS Ross (DDG 71) and DESRON-21, and served as commander of Pacific Partnership 2010, embarked on USNS Mercy (T-AH 19). Her flag assignments include commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea; commander, Carrier Strike Group 9; commander, Carrier Strike Group 15; chief of staff, Strategy, Plans and Policy (J-5) Joint Staff; commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa; Joint Force Maritime Component Commander; deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development, N7; and director for Strategy, Plans and Policy (J-5), Joint Staff..

“It was my honor today to swear in Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations,” Del Toro said. “I have the utmost confidence that [she] will faithfully fulfill the duties of this esteemed position. I look forward to working with her to lead our Force into the future as we continue to strengthen our maritime dominance, build a culture of warfighting excellence, and enhance strategic partnerships.”

Source: United States Navy

It was my honor today to swear in Adm. Lisa Franchetti as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations. It was a privilege to nominate Adm. Franchetti, and I am incredibly proud to have her serve as CNO. I have the utmost confidence that Adm. Franchetti will faithfully fulfill the duties of this esteemed position. I am excited for Adm. Franchetti and her family for their continued service to our Navy and our Nation. I look forward to working with her to lead our Force into the future as we continue to strengthen our maritime dominance, build a culture of warfighting excellence, and enhance strategic partnerships.

Source: United States Navy

The ships transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal State. The transit was unremarkable, unprovocative, and consistent with international law. Rafael Peralta and Ottawa’s bilateral transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the commitment of the United States and our allies and partners to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Cooperation like this represents the centerpiece of our approach to a secure and prosperous region where aircraft and ships of all nations may fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows.