USNI News Western Pacific Pulse: Aug. 14, 2026

The following is a summary of major ship movements and exercises in the Western Pacific over the last week.

In the Strait of Malacca

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) conducts routine operations while underway in the South China sea July 23, 2026. US Navy photo The George Washington Carrier Strike Group transited the Malacca Strait to enter the Andaman Sea on Thursday, USNI News reported.

The strike group includes aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62), and destroyers USS Shoup (DDG-86)

The George Washington CSG conducted a change of command on Wednesday with Rear Adm. Eric Anduze turning over command of Carrier Strike Group 5 and Task Force 70 to Rear Adm. Jeffrey Heames.

In Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Sakhalin Island

Russian President Vladimir Putin boarded Russian Navy Pacific Fleet flagship RFS Varyag (011) on Aug. 12, 2026. Russian Defense Ministry photo Russian President Vladimir Putin boarded Russian Navy Pacific Fleet flagship RFS Varyag (011) on Wednesday to observe the final stages of the Russian Pacific Fleet’s large-scale exercise.

The Russian Navy Pacific Fleet’s large-scale drills began on Aug. 4 and takes place in the Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk and Northwest Pacific. The drills involve 13,000 personnel and 60 surface ships, submarines and support vessels, 30 aircraft and unmanned systems of the Russian Navy Pacific Fleet’s Naval Aviation.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has released undated information of some of the activities carried out in the waters between the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Kuril Islands.

Russian corvette RFS Smerch (423) K-300P Bastion-P mobile coastal missile systems conducted a joint firing against targets to simulate an enemy amphibious task force in Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands. As part of the drill, a Forpost Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) proceeded to transmit the coordinates of the enemy task force to Smerch and the Bastion systems. Smerch launched a KH-35 Uran anti-ship cruise missile while the Bastions launched P-800 Oniks anti-ship cruise missiles, successfully engaging the targets.

In the Sea of Okhotsk, Varyag and destroyer RFS Admiral Panteleyev and corvettes RFS Sovershennyy (333), RFS Gromkiy (335) and RFS Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov (339) operated as a surface action group to defend and repel mock enemy surface and aerial drones and subsequently fired at a simulated enemy ship.

Japan previously tracked the surface action group from Aug. 4-5 as it transited La Pérouse Strait, which separates the main Island of Hokkaido from Russia’s Sakhalin Island, to enter the Sea of Okhotsk

In La Pérouse Strait

Russian corvettes RFS R-29 (916) and RFS R-24 (946) on Aug. 14, 2026. Japan Joint Staff Office photo A Russian Navy surface action group carried out an eastward transit of La Pérouse Strait on Sunday and a westward transit of the strait on Friday, according to Japan Joint Staff Office releases. The Russian surface action group includes corvettes RFS R-29 (916), RFS R-24 (946), RFS R-298 (971) and RFS R-19 (978). The four Russian Navy corvettes are operating as a surface action group as part of the Russian Pacific Fleet’s large scale exercise which began on Aug. 4.

The group was sighted sailing east 70 kilometers – 44 miles – northwest of Rebun Island at 7 a.m. on Sunday and proceeded to sail east through La Pérouse Strait to enter the Sea of Okhotsk. The group was under surveillance from Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force fast attack craft JS Kumataka (PG-827) and a JMSDF P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).

The surface group was sighted at 1 a.m. on Friday sailing west 40 kilometers – 25 miles – northeast of Cape Soya on the main island of Hokkaido and subsequently sailed west through La Pérouse Strait to enter the Sea of Japan.

On Monday at 2 a.m., Russian Navy corvettes RFS R-20 (921) and RFS R-14 (924) were seen escorting an Amga-class ballistic missile transport ship, sailing east in an area 70 kilometers – 44 miles – northwest of Rebun Island and subsequently sailed east through La Pérouse Strait to enter the Sea of Okhotsk.

In the Sea of Japan

Russian IL-20 Electronic Intelligence aircraft conducted surveillance flights over the Sea of Japan on Aug. 10-11, 2026. Japan Joint Staff Office photo Russian IL-20 Electronic Intelligence aircraft conducted surveillance flights over the Sea of Japan on Monday and Tuesday. On both occasions, a single IL-20 flew in from the Russian continent. The aircraft flew west of the northwest tip of the main island of Hokkaido, then southwest over the Sea of Japan until it was north of Kyoto Prefecture and then changed course to head back to Russia. In response, fighter aircraft from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Northern Air Defense Command and other units were scrambled.

In Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Honshu, Japan

A P-1 MPA from the JMSDF’s 60th Deployment Air Force for Counter Piracy Enforcement (DAPE) departed NAF Atsugi on Aug. 9, 2026. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force photo A P-1 MPA from the JMSDF’s 60th Deployment Air Force for Counter Piracy Enforcement (DAPE) departed NAF Atsugi on Sunday to deploy to the Gulf of Aden. The JMSDF has been conducting rotational deployments of destroyers and maritime patrol aircraft on counter piracy missions since 2009. The deployment marked the first time the P-1 MPA has been deployed for the mission. Previous deployments being carried out by P-3C Orion MPAs. The DAPE aircraft operate out of Djibouti.

In Yokosuka, Japan

08/13/2026 8:00頃 横須賀沖に かつて米海軍横須賀ベースを母港としていた アーレイ・バーク級ミサイル駆逐艦の15番艦

イージス駆逐艦ベンフォ ールド(USS Benfold DDG-65)が寄港#横須賀 #米海軍 #軍港めぐり #海上自衛隊 pic.twitter.com/yfPr4hgmpX

— ( ｡･㉨･｡)ฅ (@Gov_Vessel_fan) August 13, 2026

Destroyer USS Benfold (DDG-65), which is part of the George Washington CSG, arrived Thursday at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, according to Japanese ship spotters.

Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 held a change of command ceremony on Friday on board destroyer USS Howard (DDG-83) at CFAY. Capt. Neil Gabriel relieved Capt. David Huljack during the change of command ceremony.

DESRON 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force, is responsible for the readiness, tactical and administrative responsibilities for nine forward-deployed destroyers: Howard, USS Milius (DDG-69), USS Higgins (DDG-76), USS Preble (DDG-88), USS Mustin (DDG-89), USS Dewey (DDG-105), USS John Finn (DDG-113), USS Ralph Johnson (DDG-114) and USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115).

Near Southwest Japan

A Chinese Y-9 ELINT aircraft on Aug. 12, 2026. Japan Joint Staff Office photo On Wednesday, a Chinese Y-9 ELINT aircraft flew in from the Chinese mainland, crossed the East China Sea to the south of the Danjo Islands, then headed southwest, changed course northwest while parallel to the coast of Okinawa before flying back towards China. According to the JSO, fighter aircraft from the JASDF Western Air Defense Command and other units were scrambled.

Near Yonaguni and Iriomote Island

Russian Navy submarine RFS Ufa (B-588) and submarine rescue ship Igor Belousov on Aug. 13, 2026. Japan Joint Staff Office photo On Thursday, Russian Navy submarine RFS Ufa (B-588) and submarine rescue ship Igor Belousov were sighted northeast 80 kilometers south of Yonaguni Island and subsequently sailed northeast between Yonaguni Island and Iriomote Island to enter the East China Sea. JMSDF destroyer escort JS Oyodo (DE-231) shadowed the Russian submarine and submarine rescue ship.

Ufa (B-588) and submarine rescue ship Igor Belousov sailed southwest between Yonaguni Island and Iriomote Island on July 19 to enter the Philippine Sea and conducted a port visit to Cam Ranh, Vietnam from July 26-29.

In Wonsan, North Korea

North Korea launched a single ballistic missile on Aug. 12, 2026, from Wonsan, North Korea. Japan Defense Ministry graphic North Korea launched a single ballistic missile on Wednesday from Wonsan, North Korea, for the second week in a row. According to Japan’s Ministry of Defense, the launch occurred at 5.59 a.m, with the missile reaching a maximum altitude of 90 kilometers and flew for approximately 690 kilometers – 429 miles – before landing in the Sea of Japan. Both the MOD and South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that Japan, South Korea and the U.S. were sharing information on the launch and analysing the details.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command issued the following statement: “We are aware of the recent missile launch and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. Based on current assessments, these events do not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies. The United States remains committed to the defense of the U.S. homeland and our allies in the region.”

North Korea has not made any public statements on the launches.

In Camp Mujuk, South Korea

U.S. Marines with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, and members of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps maneuver toward a building during bilateral breaching training at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, South Korea, July 28, 2026. US Marine Corps photo The III Marine Expeditionary Force and Republic of Korea Marines concluded the Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) 26.2 on Saturday. KMEP 26.2 brought Marines from III MEF and members of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps together to execute combined multi-domain operations, improving integration and responsiveness to evolving threats. Training milestones included combined live-fire ranges, close air support coordination and complex logistics maneuvers, according to a U.S. Marine Corps news release.

In the Taiwan Strait

Chinese frigate Honghe (523) drills with Indonesian frigate KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai (332) on Aug. 13, 2026, east of Taiwan. PLAN photo This week, People’s Liberation Army Navy frigate CNS Honghe (523) and Indonesian Navy ships conducted a maritime navigation exercises where the ships to drill on maritime communication, formation maneuvering, replenishments at sea and separation drills.

The participating Indonesian Navy ship was frigate KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai (332). I Gusti Ngurah Rai was in Yokosuka last week for a port visit and is making its way home to Indonesia after carrying out Russian Navy-Indonesian Navy bilateral exercise Orruda 2026 in the waters of Vladivostok, Russia, from July 28-29.

At Yulin Naval Base, Hainan Island, China

PLAN destroyer CNS Kunming (172) on Aug. 12, 2026. PLAN photo The 49th PLAN Chinese Naval Escort Task Group departed Hainan on Wednesday for the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia. The 49th task group includes destroyer CNS Kunming (172), frigate CNS Yueyang (575) and fleet oiler CNS Luomahu (907). The task group will relieve the 48th ETG, which is comprised of destroyer CNS Tangshan (122), frigate CNS Daqing (576) and fleet oiler CNS Taihu (889).

Since 2008, the PLAN has conducted a rotational deployment to counter piracy in the region and protect merchant shipping.

In Singapore

Royal Australian Navy Bay-class landing ship dock HMAS Choules (L100) leaving Singapore – August 12, 2026 SRC: INST- yplanesonly pic.twitter.com/SJFZPibpSl

— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) August 13, 2026

Royal Australian Navy amphibious dock landing ship HMAS Choules (L100) departed Singapore on Wednesday, according to ship spotters. Choules is operating as the host ship for the ongoing U.S. Navy-led Pacific Partnership 2026 humanitarian and civic assistance mission and its next mission stop is scheduled for Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

In Lampung, Indonesia

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Abigail Gutierrez, a platoon commander with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 26, and an Indonesian marine corps platoon commander with 7th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade, march during an opening ceremony as part of a platoon exchange at the Indonesian Marine Corps 7th Battalion base near Lampung, Indonesia, Aug. 12, 2026. US Marine Corps photo U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 26 and the Indonesian Marine Corps officially commenced the annual bilateral training platoon exchange on Tuesday in Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia.

Approximately 60 Marines and sailors are participating in the exchange, composed of the Marines of 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, reinforced by supporting elements from MRF-D 26. These Marines will train alongside a platoon of Indonesian Marines from the Indonesian Marine Corps’ A Company, 7th Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade, reads a U.S. Marine Corps news release.

This post was written by Dzirhan Mahadzir.