The task force aims to enhance interoperability and crisis responses of American and Filipino troops, particularly in the disputed sea.

New satellite images have raised concern after showing what appears to be Iran’s “shadow fleet” carrying out secret oil transfers in the South China Sea. These shadow fleets are believed to be linked to shipments heading toward China,

Trump rules out foul play in Navy aircraft crashes, suggests bad fuel may have caused USS Nimitz helicopter and fighter jet incidents in South China Sea.

According to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter that was assigned to the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 "Battle Cats" crashed around 2:45 p.m. local time while "conducting routine operations." All three crew members were rescued, the Pacific Fleet said in an X post.

A U.S. helicopter and fighter jet crashed in the South China Sea on Sunday within an hour of one another during routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, the Pacific Fleet said, and President Donald Trump later said "bad fuel" was believed to be the reason the two aircraft went down.

Navy helicopter and fighter jet from USS Nimitz crash in South China Sea during routine operations. All five crew members successfully rescued and stable.

All personnel involved were safe, and the causes of the two crashes were under investigation, the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet said.

Chinese coast guard ships have used powerful water cannons and rammed a Philippine government vessel near Thitu Island in the South China Sea.

Australia's defence force operations to protect its sea trade routes, including through the South China Sea, are becoming more risky as Beijing undertakes the "biggest military build-up in the world today",