It was recently reported that eleven Russian and Chinese ships were dispatched near the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska.
The United States responded by sending four destroyers and P-8 Poseidon aircraft to monitor the situation.
This joint naval patrol has been seen as a sign of Russia and China challenging U.S. dominance in the region, which has caused many international observers to be concerned.
Retired Navy captain Brent Sadler believes that the action taken by Russia and China is “highly provocative” given current tensions around Ukraine, Taiwan, and other regions throughout the world.
It demonstrates their willingness to challenge U.S. power in key areas such as international waters where all states are open to operate regardless of whether they are coastal or landlocked nations.
In this case, Rear Adm Nathan Moore stated that it was rare for combatants from two separate countries to form up together in a surface action group like this one did, steaming together through different parts of the Pacific Ocean including the Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk, traveling over 2,300 nautical miles total before returning back home again.
Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan have spoken out about this exercise while calling for more military funding for their state due to its strategic importance within U.S national defense operations overall.
They believe that increased presence in the region will help counter potential threats made against America from foreign nations like Russia or China who are looking to expand their reach beyond what is considered acceptable behavior on international waters or elsewhere.
The US Northern Command confirmed that indeed there had been a joint naval patrol sent out by both Russian vessels alongside their Chinese counterparts near Alaskan coastlines but did not specify how many ships were involved nor their exact location either once they had ventured out into open water away from American shores nearby.
They clarified though that no threat was posed during any part of this mission either since all activities seemed remain within legal parameters throughout its duration as well as being conducted mostly under peaceful circumstances too.
Pentagon press secretary Brig Gen Pat Ryder added further comment on matter stating, “At no point in time were they deemed to pose a threat. And so like any country, they are free to conduct exercises in international airspace, international waters.”
