Aboard US Carrier, Cambodian Brass Survey South China Sea
Aboard US Carrier, Cambodian Brass Survey South China Sea ABOARD THE USS RONALD REAGAN— Amid the baking surface heat of a vast oceanic expanse, crewmembers of the USS Ronald Reagan go about their business as fighter jets burst from the deck of the enormous aircraft carrier. Despite the routine activities , today is historic: 10 Cambodian diplomats, including senior officials from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Interior, have come aboard to study real-time naval operations as the vessel plies disputed waters of the South China Sea. During the rare visit, Cambodians even received hands-on experience commanding take-off and landing, ordering jets on practice missions. “We are conducting normal operations for a carrier strike group — freedom of navigation, operating in the vicinity of worldwide commerce," said Captain Michael “Buzz” Donnelly, the vessel's commanding officer, who describes their location as roughly halfway between the internationally ...