USNI News Western Pacific Pulse: Aug. 28, 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

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, launches from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), Aug. 22, 2026, in the Indian Ocean. US Navy photo Aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) entered the north end of the Malacca Strait on Friday, according to automatic identification system data. The AIS data also showed cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) from the George Washington Carrier Strike Group accompanying the carrier.

Earlier on Friday, AIS data showed destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121) from the Abraham Lincoln CSG, as well as an unidentified U.S. Navy ship, entering the north end of the Strait of Malacca. Abraham Lincoln is en route to Thailand for a port visit following more than eight months of operations in U.S. Central Command.

In the South China Sea

Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS-32) sails in formation with Royal Australian Navy auxiliary oiler replenishment ship HMAS Supply (A 195) during a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, Aug. 24, 2026. US Navy photo Forces from Australia, the Philippines and the United States conducted the 10th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) from Aug. 19 to Tuesday within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.

According to a U.S. Navy news release, the exercise expanded capabilities at sea by incorporating and refining shared specialized procedures and maritime doctrines. The exercises also focused on tactical interoperability; visit, board, search, and seizure; search and rescue; deck landing qualifications; vertical replenishment; replenishment-at-sea; and anti-submarine warfare.

Participating units from the U.S were littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS-32) and one P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Australian participants were Royal Australian Navy fleet oiler HMAS Supply (A195) and one RAN MH-60R Seahawk and one P-8A Poseidon MPA from the Royal Australian Air Force. The Philippine assets involved were two FA-50 fighter jets and one Cessna C-208B Grand Caravan EX utility aircraft from the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), Philippine Navy frigate BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) and one Philippine Navy AW159 Wildcat helicopter.

Naval and air units from the People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea from Aug. 21-27, 2026. PLA photo In response, from Aug. 21 to Tuesday, naval and air units from the People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea.

“In an attempt to stir up troubles in the South China Sea, the Philippines co-opted countries outside the region to conduct so-called joint patrols, disrupting peace and stability in the region,” reads a post from the PLA’s official social media account China Military Bugle.

In Bojeador, Philippines

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Antwon Brooks, a fire support Marine with Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company Detachment – North, Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, conducts fire support team training alongside Philippine marines with 4th Marine Brigade, Philippine Marine Corps, during Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum 26.4 in Bojeador, Philippines, Aug. 25, 2026. US Marine Corps photo Marine Rotational Force-South East Asia conducted fire support team training on Tuesday alongside Philippine marines with 4th Marine Brigade, Philippine Marine Corps, during Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum (ACDC) 26.4 in Bojeador, Philippines.

“ACDC is a series of bilateral training activities that supports the Philippine Marine Corps’ Archipelagic Coastal Defense Concept and strengthens interoperability and combined readiness between Philippine and U.S. forces. MRF-SEA serves as I MEF’s forward command element in the Philippines, supporting Task Force-Philippines and integrating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to strengthen interoperability and improve combined readiness,” reads a Pentagon photo release.

In Lampung, Indonesia

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 26, and Indonesian marines with 7th Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade, patrols during a jungle survival course as part of a platoon exchange near Lampung, Indonesia, Aug. 19, 2026. US Marine Corps photo A Marine Corps platoon from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 26 concluded this year’s iteration of an annual platoon exchange with the Indonesian Marine Corps in a closing ceremony held Thursday at the Indonesian Marine Corps 7th Infantry Battalion base near Lampung, Indonesia. From Aug. 12 to Thursday, the Marines participated in a series of subject matter expert exchanges and practical application exercises with a platoon of Indonesian marines from 7th Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade.

At Ream Naval Base, Cambodia

A junior officer salutes as HMS Tamar (P233) passes a Cambodian warship on entry into port, released Aug. 28, 2026. Royal Navy photo Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel HMS Tamar (P233) departed Friday from Ream Naval Base, Cambodia following an eight-day visit that included joint training with the Royal Cambodian Navy. Tamar with sister ship HMS Spey (P234) is forward deployed to the Indo-Pacific.

Near South Busan, South Korea

HMNZ ships Te Mana (F111) and Aotearoa (A11), shown, depart Busan, Republic of South Korea, on Aug. 24, 2026. Royal New Zealand Navy photo The Royal New Zealand Navy Task Group – which includes frigate HMNZS Te Mana (F111) and fleet oiler HMNZS Aotearoa (A11) – carried out maneuvering, communication and replenishment-at-sea training on Monday with Republic of Korea Navy tank landing ship ROKS Sung In Bong (LST-685) in the waters south of Busan.

The drills followed the departure of the RNZN Task Group from Busan, which arrived Aug. 20 for a port call. The RNZN ships are on an Indo-Pacific deployment with their first task being to monitor maritime sanctions violations by North Korea.

In Qingdao, China

Guided-missile destroyer Harbin (Hull 112) — the first of China’s second-generation domestically-built Type 052 destroyers — was decommissioned at a naval port in Qingdao City in east China’s Shandong Province on Aug. 28, 2026. PLA photo The People’s Liberation Army Navy decommissioned destroyer CNS Harbin (122), the first of China’s second-generation domestically built Type 052 destroyers, in a ceremony in Qingdao on Friday. Harbin had served 32 years in the PLAN.

In the East China Sea

U.S. Navy Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Marc Delcernalupo, assigned to San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD-22), stands lookout while transiting the East China Sea, July 26, 2026. US Navy photo Amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD-22) is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. San Diego is forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan, as part of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11.

In Yokosuka, Japan

HMCS Ottawa (FFH341) departing Yokosuka, Japan, on Aug. 24, 2026. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force photo A Royal Canadian Navy surface task group – which includes frigates HMCS Regina (FFH334) and HMCS Ottawa (FFH341) and fleet oiler MV Asterix – departed Monday from Yokosuka following a port visit that began on Aug. 20. All three ships are on an Indo-Pacific deployment as part of Operation Horizon, the Canadian Armed Forces’ presence and engagement deployment in the Indo-Pacific.

On Thursday, Republic of Singapore Navy frigate RSS Steadfast (70) departed Yokosuka following a port visit that began on Aug. 19. Steadfast is making its way home to Singapore following participation in the Rim of the Pacific 2026 exercise in Hawaii that ran from Jun 24-Jul. 31.

In the Miyako Strait

PLAN destroyer CNS Xigaze (159) and frigate CNS Yixing (537) were spotted Aug. 22, 2026, transiting the Miyako Strait. Japan Joint Staff Office map PLAN destroyer CNS Xigaze (159) and frigate CNS Yixing (537) were sighted on Saturday at 5 a.m. sailing southeast 90 kilometers – 56 miles – southwest of Kume Island and subsequently sailed south between Okinawa and Miyako Island to enter the Philippine Sea.

At 5 a.m. on the same day, PLAN destroyers CNS Baotou (133) and frigate CNS Huangshi (535) were spotted south 70 kilometers – 44 miles – west of Kume Island and subsequently sailed south through the Miyako Strait to enter the Philippine Sea.

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) P-1 MPA monitored the PLAN ships, according to Japan’s Joint Staff Office. Xigaze is one of the newest PLAN Type 052D destroyers, having made its maiden training exercise in March.

In Southwest Japan

A Chinese Y-9 Electronic Intelligence aircraft flew over southwest Japan on Aug. 25, 2026. Japan Joint Staff Office photo On Tuesday, a Chinese Y-9 Electronic Intelligence aircraft flew in from the Chinese mainland, circling west to the coast of Okinawa, and then making a round trip to the coast of Amami Oshima and Okinawa on a northeast heading. Finally, it changed course while south of the Danjo Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture to return to China.

In response, fighter aircraft from the Western Air Defense Command of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force were scrambled to intercept.

In La Pérouse Strait

Russian Navy corvettes RFS R-20 (921) and RFS R-14 (924) were seen escorting an Amga class ballistic missile transport ship on Aug. 27, 2026, through La Pérouse Strait to enter the Sea of Japan. Japan Joint Staff Office photo At 3 a.m. Thursday, Russian Navy corvettes RFS R-20 (921) and RFS R-14 (924) were seen escorting an Amga class ballistic missile transport ship west 40 kilometers northwest of Cape Soya and sailed west through La Pérouse Strait to enter the Sea of Japan.

JMSDF fast attack craft JS Kumataka (PG-827) shadowed the Russian ships, according to the JSO, which noted that the same Russian ships sailed east through La Pérouse Strait on Aug. 10.

La Pérouse Strait, which separates Hokkaido from Russia’s Sakhalin Island, is an international waterway that is regularly used by ships of the Russian Navy Pacific Fleet to transit between the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk.

At Fleet Base West, Western Australia

HMAS Stuart (FFH153) departs Fleet Base West in Western Australia to commence Regional Presence Deployment 26-4, on Aug. 23, 2026. Australian Defense photo RAN frigate HMAS Stuart (FFH153) departed on Monday from Fleet Base West, Western Australia, to commence Regional Presence Deployment 26-4, the Australian Defense Force’s engagement and presence deployment in the Indo-Pacific.

Currently, the ADF has frigate HMAS Perth (FFH-157) and fleet oiler Supply on RPD in the South China Sea while destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG42) is making its way from Hawaii to the Indo-Pacific following completion of Ballistic Missile Defense exercise Pacific Dragon.

This post was written by Dzirhan Mahadzir.