US military open to escorting Philippine ships in the South China Sea, senior admiral says

[william]

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The U.S. military is open to consultations about escorting Philippine ships in the disputed South China Sea, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said Tuesday amid a spike in hostilities between Beijing and Manila in the disputed waters.

Adm. Samuel Paparo’s remarks, which he made in response to a question during a news conference in Manila with Philippine Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., provided a glimpse of the mindset of one of the highest American military commanders outside the U.S. mainland on a prospective operation that would risk putting U.S. Navy ships in direct collisions with those of China.

Asked if the U.S. military would consider escorting Philippine ships delivering food and other supplies to Filipino forces in the South China Sea, Paparo replied, “Certainly, within the context of consultations.”

“Every option between the two sovereign nations in terms of our mutual defense, escort of one vessel to the other, is an entirely reasonable option within our Mutual Defense Treaty, among this close alliance between the two of us,” Paparo said without elaborating.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said there has been no situation so far that would warrant activating the treaty, which requires the allies to come to each other’s aid if they come under external attack.

US military open to escorting Philippine ships in the South China Sea, senior admiral says

Indo-Pacific commander Adm. Samuel Paparo says the U.S. military is open to the possibility of escorting Philippine ships in the disputed South China Sea, depending on consultations under the allies’ 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

apnews.com

 

[DEFCON Warning System]

I wonder how China would react if that happens.

 

[Torch]

I wonder how China would react if that happens.

IMO: Aggressively and with water cannons ect

We would need a “steely eyed missile man” in command of whatever destroyers they use. She have to “start no shit, take no shit” and she would only be able to go that with strong POTUS orders/Backing. The CiC would have to either resolute in his beliefs (Reagan) or just a maniacal overbearing ass that doesn’t give 2 ’s what China thinks (Trump)
Surprisingly Biden fit in a little of both categories and if he wasn’t a lame duck could pull it off. I hate myself for having to say that but I call like I see it, based on his UA and Israel stances.

Just my twisted opinion, YMMV

 

[Torch]

Of course then there is this:

No U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Deployed In The Pacific​

No U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Deployed in the Pacific - Naval News

The U.S. Navy is facing a shortfall of deployed carriers in the Pacific as the buildup in the Middle East continues. The lack of carriers has left a critical gap in the West Pacific. The departure of USS Abraham Lincoln coincides with the change in homeport of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) from...

www.navalnews.com

Makes it tough to project power without any power…

 

[william]

Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters earlier this month that the lack of a carrier strike group in the Pacific has not lessened the military’s defense posture in the region. I can tell you and rest assured that the Indo-Pacific has a significant number of U.S. forces to support our commitments toward that end,” he said.

PACAF Units

Lt. Cmdr. Christina Hough, spokeswoman for the Pacific Fleet, said fleet forces include several warships operating across the Pacific that are working to promote adherence to a rules-based international order. “In addition to cruisers and destroyers, these include the forward deployment of the America and Boxer amphibious readiness groups and embarked Marine expeditionary units, whose forward presence, alongside our allies and partners, demonstrates our collective resolve to ensure security and stability in the region,” Cmdr. Hough said.

USS America (LHA-6) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

USS Boxer (LHD-4) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I think there's still some punch there.

 

[Publius]

Just an admiral talking, so it’s a ballon a PR or possible policy shift potential.
Until they actually do it I’m not going to give it much hope.

 

[Yingyang]

Where does aircraft carriers come into this? Escorts are not aircraft carriers . Escorts will most likely be USCG.