As a major aspect of his four-day visit in Manila, the new commander of the US Pacific Fleet took an interest in a reconnaissance mission on Saturday over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) in the midst of heightening pressures between the Philippines and China over contending oceanic maritime claims.
Chief of naval operations Admiral Scott Swift, in pictures released by the US Pacific Fleet, was seen on board a P-8A Poseidon surveillance spy plane.
“As a major aspect of his visit to the Philippines this week, Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, partook in a seven-hour sea observation mission over the South China Sea on Saturday to witness firsthand the full scope of the P-8A Poseidon’s abilities,” the US Pacific Fleet said in an announcement.
The P-8A was described as “the most advanced long-range anti-submarine and anti-surface aircraft in the world.”
The US Pacific Fleet did not provide other details on the flight.
While Chinese Embassy in Manila had no prompt response to the Pacific Fleet authority participating in the reconnaissance flight.
