New images suggest China has built reinforced hangars on disputed islands: think tank

Source: Reuters

Recent satellite photographs show China appears to have built reinforced aircraft hangars on its holdings in the disputed South China Sea, according to a Washington-based think tank.

Pictures taken in late July show the hangars constructed on Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief Reefs in the Spratly islands, have room for any fighter jet in the Chinese air force, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

"Except for a brief visit by a military transport plane to Fiery Cross Reef earlier this year, there is no evidence that Beijing has deployed military aircraft to these outposts. But the rapid construction of reinforced hangars at all three features indicates that this is likely to change," CSIS said in a report.

The United States has urged China and other claimants not to militarize their holdings in the South China Sea.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-southchinasea-china-images-idUSKCN10K08P

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Yes, militarizing the South China Sea is bad. We all agree with that...

"Carrier Strike Group 5 conducts patrol in South China Sea

SOUTH CHINA SEA (NNS) -- Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5, including the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and USS Shiloh (CG 67); Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, is conducting routine operations in the South China Sea.

Prior to their operations in the South China Sea, the ships and aircraft within the strike group have been operating in the Philippine Sea to maintain improve their readiness and develop their cohesion as a strike group.

CSG 5 partnered with the John C. Stennis Strike Group June 18-19, to conduct Dual Carrier operations, maintaining the interoperability between the ships and the embarked air wings.

"Our forward-deployed ships are operating here to maintain the seas open for all to use," said Rear Admiral John D. Alexander, commander, Task Force 70 (CTF 70). "The U.S. Navy has flown, sailed and operated throughout the Western Pacific in accordance with international law for over a century, and will continue to do so."

In recent months, many U.S. Navy ships have conducted similar events in the 7th Fleet area of operations including the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Momsen (DDG 92) and USS Spruance (DDG 111) as part of 3rd Fleet's Pacific Surface Action Group."
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