The USS Cowpens (CG 63) leads the formation of USS Lassen (DDG 82), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) and USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) in the Western Pacific Ocean on June 18, 2006, to start exercise Valiant Shield 2006. The joint exercise consists of 28 naval vessels including three carrier strike groups and more than 300 aircraft and approximately 20,000 service members from the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast. DoD photo by Airman Benjamin Dennis, U.S. Navy. (Released)

The Usefulness of “Redundant” Freedom of Navigation Operations

if the United States seriously wants to stop Chinese expansion in the South China Sea, it will have to engage in some costly tit-for-tat actions.

Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative