Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, center, commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, and military leaders from the United States, the Philippines, Australia and Japan fly over the South China Sea in a Navy P-8A Poseidon surveillance plane, Aug. 26, 2023. (Belen Saldana/U.S. Navy)
The U.S. 7th Fleet commander met with military leaders from Japan, Australia and the Philippines in Manila over the weekend to discuss how to “support a peaceful, secure and prosperous” Indo-Pacific, according to the Navy.
Vice Adm. Karl Thomas joined his counterparts on Saturday and Sunday and for a flight over the South China Sea on a Navy P-8A Poseidon surveillance plane to “observe the maritime environment,” 7th Fleet announced in a news release Wednesday.
“When we operate together, we demonstrate the importance of the freedom of navigation and reinforce the prosperity of all nations who rely on these critical waterways,” Thomas said in the release.
China’s “aggressive behavior” in the region must be challenged, Thomas told the Reuters news agency on Sunday.
“You have to challenge people I would say operating in a gray zone,” he said. “When they’re taking a little bit more and more and pushing you, you’ve got to push back, you have to sail and operate.”
Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, left, commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, speaks with Philippine navy commodore Juario Marayag before boarding a Navy P-8A Poseidon in Manila, Philippines, Aug. 26, 2023. (Belen Saldana/U.S. Navy)
Thomas met with Lt. Gen. Greg Bilton, chief of joint operations for the Australian Defence Force; Vice Adm. Akira Saito, commander in chief of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Self-Defense Fleet; along with Philippine navy representatives that included Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci, Philippine navy flag officer in command, and Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Adm. Renato David.
“Our relationship with the Philippines is one of our most enduring,” Thomas said, according to the Navy. “There’s no country more aware of the threats being posed in the South China Sea. Every nation benefits from a free and open Indo-Pacific. We will continue to strengthen our partnerships and look for more creative ways to operate together.”
Seventh Fleet spokesman Lt. Luka Bakic declined to share specifics about the visit but said Thomas and the leaders “discussed ways to increase interoperability, preserve regional stability, and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific,” while flying aboard the Poseidon P-8A.
“Interoperability” is a term frequently used by the U.S. military to describe the ability to use another country’s equipment, training methods and strategies.
Chinese coast guard vessels on Aug. 5 used water cannons and maneuvers during an attempt to deter Philippine ships from resupplying troops stationed on Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.
In response, the Philippine government called for Beijing to “restrain its forces,” while U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the maneuvers undermined the status quo and threatened “regional peace and stability.”
The Spratlys, about 100 islands and other features, are claimed in full by China, Taiwan and Vietnam; portions are also claimed by the Philippines and Malaysia.
Around 45 islands are occupied by small contingents of military forces from all five countries. The Philippine military occupies Second Thomas Shoal and eight other features in the chain.
