Thread by @ianellisjones

🚨 Major military activity is underway in the Pacific.

Lines are being drawn…

🇺🇸🇹🇼🇯🇵🇰🇷🇵🇭🇦🇺🇹🇭🇻🇳🇵🇼🇫🇷

And challenged…

🇨🇳🇷🇺🇰🇵

Welcome to the Indo-Pacific Powder Keg.

Updated map, latest developments, & breaking news—with a big assist from @IndoPac_Info:

The US, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, France, China, Russia, & North Korea are operating & exercising in the same region.

The most powerful & advanced militaries in the history of the world are in close proximity with 0 margin for error.

https://twitter.com/ianellisjones/status/1649965768140791813

There is A LOT going on. TL;DR:

- A Chinese ship cut off a Philippine patrol ship nearly causing a collision
- US HIMARS Rockets & Patriot Missiles displayed in the Philippines
- Chinese aircraft carrier back in South China Sea
- US nuclear subs to South Korea
- Enter: Singapore

https://twitter.com/indopacom/status/1651398257082519553

A Chinese coast guard ship cut off a Philippine vessel carrying journalists in the South China Sea, almost causing a collision near the disputed Spratly Islands. 🇵🇭🇺🇸

"Since you have disregarded our warning, we will take further necessary measures on you," China reportedly said.

The US Army's Patriot missile-defense system shot down a pair of targets flying off Luzon's western coast, marking the first time the weapon has been fired in the Philippine Sea. 🇵🇭🇺🇸

PAC-2 Patriot missiles can reach as high as 20 miles and travel up to 60 miles.

One of the US Army's best-known weapons—the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS)—targeted a decommissioned warship floating miles away in the South China Sea during a live-fire exercise. 🇵🇭🇺🇸

A barrage of ordinance from artillery & aircraft eventually sank the vessel.

https://twitter.com/indopac_info/status/1651429070125797377

The US will send nuclear submarines to South Korea in a new pledge to protect from North Korean threats. 🇰🇷🇺🇸

Ballistic missile submarines haven't docked in South Korea since the 1980s.

"Nuclear armed subs in South Korea is probably more about China than North Korea.” 👇

https://twitter.com/indopac_info/status/1651397379869011970

China's Shandong Aircraft Carrier Strike Group is once again operating in the South China Sea after steaming for 19 days in the Philippine Sea.

The CSG was tracked within ~150 miles Southeast of Taiwan and, over the past week, came within ~400 miles of Guam. 🇹🇼🇺🇸

https://twitter.com/ianellisjones/status/1650891834749509636

China and Singapore will hold joint naval drills this week. 🇨🇳🇸🇬

Beijing's defense ministry said Monday that the drills will take place around Singapore from "end-April to early May."

"The Southeast Asian country has for decades juggled ties with rival powers in the region."

https://twitter.com/indopac_info/status/1650495067310931968

Japan's Self-Defense Forces are “deploying units operating a land-based interceptor missile system as North Korea is reportedly making final preparations to launch what it calls a military spy satellite. The launch could involve the use of ballistic missile technology.” 🇯🇵🇹🇼🇺🇸

https://twitter.com/global_mil_info/status/1650172117495828484

GPS interference reported in Northern #Taiwan 21-24 April.

@IndoPac_Info: "This is usually done to protect from guided weapons, which often use GPS to fly to its targets."

@GDarkconrad notes this also happened "one day before the Russian invasion of Ukraine."

https://twitter.com/gdarkconrad/status/1650394342060617728

Part of the largest-ever annual drills with the US-Philippines focused on defending the strategic Bashi Channel. 🇵🇭🇺🇸🇦🇺

The islands where the #Balikatan23 air assault demonstration took place are just south of the 70-mile-wide Bashi Channel between the Philippines & Taiwan.

18 Russian ships transited the Sōya Strait to the East Sea/Sea of Japan after drills.

Japan's Wakataka guided-missile ship shadowed the Russian fleet.

The drills ended 20 April & "included 25,000 servicemen, 89 airplanes & helicopters, & 167 warships—including 12 submarines."

https://twitter.com/ryankakiuchan/status/1649375783285297152

US Air Force advanced aircraft deployed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, on 22 April.

Kadena is a USAF base located ~650km off the coast of China and is often referred to as the "Keystone of the Pacific" because of its highly strategic location.

https://twitter.com/usairforce/status/1648109902382899208

The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG) returned to San Diego on 23 April.

The CSG finished its Group Sail in the Hawaiian Islands operating areas in preparation for deployment.

• 3 April: Naval Base San Diego
• 10 April: Eastern Pacific
• 17 April: Middle Pacific

https://twitter.com/ianellisjones/status/1650874570969153537

A US nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine and a Chinese aircraft carrier strike group were operating in the same waters near Guam at the same time.

Pictures released by the US Military and OSINT mapping by @detresfa_ show the USS Maine & CNS Shandong underway nearby.

https://twitter.com/uspacificfleet/status/1650935008151085056

“Coming together as a fleet team with like-minded friends is critical to align efforts within our shared national interests as we uphold the norms that govern the maritime domain. Through our combined resolve, we keep the Indo-Pacific free and open and we deter aggression.”

https://twitter.com/us7thfleet/status/1651035699984883724