USNI News Western Pacific Pulse: Sept. 18, 2026

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

In the Philippine Sea

An MH-60R Sea Hawk, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, takes off from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), Sept. 13, 2026. US Navy photo The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations as it makes its way home to San Diego, Calif., following more than eight months in the Middle East.

Aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121) and cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) transited the Surigao Strait and entered the Philippine Sea on Tuesday, according to a social media post on Abraham Lincoln’s official account. Japan-based Robert Smalls, which was temporarily attached to the strike group, returned to its homeport of Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka on Friday.

Destroyer USS Benfold (DDG-65) is conducting routine operations in the Philippine Sea. Benfold is forward deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15.

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Fuyuzuki (DD-118) and Royal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG42) carried out bilateral exercise Nichi–Gou Trident 26–2 in the Philippine Sea from Sept. 12-14, 2026. JMSDF photo Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Fuyuzuki (DD-118) and Royal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG42) carried out bilateral exercise Nichi–Gou Trident 26–2 in the Philippine Sea from Saturday to Monday. The two ships conducted tactical drills, including anti-submarine warfare and counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems, tactical maneuvering, communication exercise and crossdecking. The two ships previously participated in the U.S.-led Pacific Vanguard exercise held in the waters around Guam from Aug. 30-Sept. 10.

In the Malacca Strait

The sea phase of the joint Indian Navy-Royal Malaysian Navy exercise Samudra Laksamana 4/26 saw a fast inland attack craft drill. The exercise began Sept. 10, 2026. Royal Malaysian Navy photo Indian Navy destroyer INS Mysore (D60) and Royal Malaysian Navy corvette KD Lekir (FSG26) and training ship KD Gagah Samudera (271) wrapped the joint Indian Navy-RMN exercise Samudra Laksamana 4/26. The exercise began on Sept. 10 at RMN Lumut Naval Base. The sea phase saw the ships conduct a fast inland attack craft drill with RMN Fast Interceptor Craft 1031, along with replenishment-at-sea approach, boarding exercise and surface firing drills.

In Jakarta, Indonesia

Former Italian Navy aircraft carrier ex-ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi (551) arrived Sept. 18, 2026, in Tanjung Priok port, Jakarta. Indonesian Navy photo Former Italian Navy aircraft carrier ex-ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi (551) arrived Friday in Tanjung Priok port, Jakarta, having been transferred to the Indonesian Navy where it will enter service as KRI Sriwijaya. The aircraft carrier, following a transit of the Malacca Strait, entered Indonesian waters on Thursday. It was met by Indonesian Navy frigates KRI Brawijaya (320) and KRI Prabu Siliwangi (321).

In Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler, center right, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, David H. Gamble, Jr., second from right, U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur Chargé d’Affaires a.i., and leaders of Pacific Partnership 2026 (PP26), Malaysian Armed Forces, and community leaders, pose for a group photo during the PP26 Malaysia mission stop closing ceremony at Institut Tadbiran Awam Negara Sabah in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Sept. 14, 2026. US Navy photo On Monday, the U.S. Navy-led humanitarian and disaster preparedness mission Pacific Partnership 2026 concluded its fourth mission stop in Kota Kinabalu and surrounding areas in Sabah, Malaysia. A closing ceremony was held Monday and attended by Adm. Steve Koehler, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet. Following the ceremony, the mission team transited to the final mission stop of the year in Tacloban City, Philippines, according to a U.S. Navy news release.

In Kijing Port, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force amphibious tank landing ship JS Kunisaki (LST-4003) and three Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) CH-47 helicopters transported by the ship arrived in Indonesia on Sept. 10, 2026, to help with firefighting and relief operations. Japan Ministry of Defense photo Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force amphibious tank landing ship JS Kunisaki (LST-4003) and three Japan Ground Self-Defense Force CH-47 helicopters transported by the ship are supporting Indonesia with firefighting and relief operations against the ongoing wildfire in the area.

In Brunei

U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, commends sailors for their professionalism and resiliency during his visit to Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) participating in CARAT Brunei 2026 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, Sept. 16, 2026. US Navy photo The Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the U.S held Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Brunei 2026 from Monday to Friday.

The U.S. participated with Coast Guard fast response cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC-1145), Littoral Combat Ship USS Canberra (LCS-30) and P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

Brunei deployed a Royal Brunei Navy Darussalam-class offshore patrol vessel and a Royal Brunei Air Force Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopter.

“During the at-sea phase in the South China Sea, the combined forces completed a series of exercises to demonstrate maritime skills. These included high-end anti-submarine warfare exercises, maritime interdiction operations, and command and control coordination. The units also successfully executed combined maritime security operations, validating their ability to operate as a unified force,” reads a U.S. Navy news release.

On Wednesday, Adm. Steve Koehler, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited Canberra while it was docked in Bandar Sri Begawan, Brunei for CARAT Brunei 2026.

Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel HMS Tamar (P233) departed Brunei on Friday after completing a port visit that began on Monday.

In the Sulu Sea

BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) and HMCS Regina (FFH 334) display coordination at sea with BRP Diego Silang (FFG7) during the 20th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity, which ran Sept. 12-13, 2026, in the Sulu Sea. Armed Forces of the Philippines photo The Armed Forces of the Philippines, U.S. Indo- Pacific Command and the Canadian Armed Forces conducted the 20th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity onSaturday and Sunday in the Sulu Sea.

Participating in the maritime cooperative activity were Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Regina (FFH334), Philippine Navy frigate BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) and a AW159 Wildcat helicopter, Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel BRP Suluan (MRRV- 4406), a Sokol search and rescue helicopter and a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the Philippines Air Force and a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon MPA.

At Ream Naval Base, Cambodia

Indian Navy corvette INS Kulish (P63) departed Sept. 15, 2026, from Ream Naval Base, Cambodia. Embassy of India in Cambodia photo Indian Navy corvette INS Kulish (P63) departed Tuesday from Ream Naval Base, Cambodia, following a port visit that began Saturday. Kulish is operating in Southeast Asia as part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet Operational Deployment.

In Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, Cambodia

Russian Navy training ship RFS Perekop (310) departed Sept. 12, 2026, from Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, Cambodia. Embassy of Russia in Cambodia photo Russian Navy training ship RFS Perekop (310) departed Saturday from Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, Cambodia, having completed a two-day port visit. Perekop is assigned to the Russian Navy Baltic Fleet and is carrying out a long-distance training cruise.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Italian Navy multi-role combat vessel ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere (P434). Italian Ministry of Defense photo Italian Navy multi-role combat vessel ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere (P434) arrived Wednesday in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for a port visit that will conclude on Sunday.

Giovanni delle Bande Nere is homebound following an Indo-Pacific deployment that saw it take part in the Rim of the Pacific 2026 and Pacific Dragon 2026 exercises held over the summer around Hawaii.

From late August to mid-September, the Italian ship conducted monitoring and surveillance activities against illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean-flagged vessels prohibited by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions in the waters surrounding Japan, reads a Thursday release from the Japan Ministry of Defense.

In Wonsan, North Korea

North Korea fired short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and attack drones at an island in the Sea of Japan on Sept. 13, 2026, as part of a fire power attack drill. Korean Central News Agency photo North Korea fired short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and attack drones at an island in the Sea of Japan on Saturday as part of a “firepower attack drill,” USNI News reported. Subunits from five artillery and missile joint units participated in the drill, which involved new combat systems such as attack drones of various kinds, a tactical cruise missile, a large-caliber thermal-pressure multiple rocket launcher and a tactical ballistic missile.

In the East China Sea

On Tuesday, a JMSDF EP-3 electronic intelligence aircraft and a UP-3 reconnaissance aircraft carried out an information exchange exercise with a U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton UAS over the East China Sea.

In Hokkaido, Japan

U.S. Army Pacific, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the Australian Army launched exercise Orient Shield 26 on Thursday at Camp Higashi-Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan. Approximately 3,700 personnel from the three countries are taking part in the drills.

While primarily taking place on the main island of Hokkaido, the JGSDF 5th Surface-to-Ship Missile Regiment and U.S. Army 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force are conducting subject matter and training exchanges on the JGSDF Type 25 Surface-to-Ship Guided Missile and the U.S. Typhon missile system at JMSDF Kanoya Air Base on the main island of Kyushu. Training will only take place on the base and will not involve any live firing.

Near Tottori Prefecture, Honshu, Japan

Floating debris believed to be part of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force RQ-4B Global Hawk that crashed in the Sea of Japan on Sept. 15, 2026. JASDF photo A Japan Air Self-Defense Force RQ-4 Global Hawk UAS crashed into the Sea of Japan on Tuesday, USNI News reported. The reconnaissance drone, one of three operated by the JASDF, crashed in an area approximately 50 kilometers – 31 miles – north of the Tottori Prefecture, located in the western part of Honshu. At 6 p.m. that day, JMSDF fast attack craft JS Hayabusa (PG-824) reached the scene where debris had been sighted and took photographs of the floating debris with the JASDF later confirming that the debris was that of the Global Hawk.

In Yokosuka, Japan

Cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) returned Friday to its homeport of Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, according to Japanese shipspotters. Robert Smalls, which is based in Japan, deployed from CFAY as part of the George Washington CSG on May 23 and followed the strike group to Central Command where it relieved the Abraham Lincoln CSG. The cruiser then accompanied Abraham Lincoln and Frank E. Petersen Jr. back to the Indo-Pacific.

Frigate HMNZS Te Mana (F111) departed JMSDF Yokosuka Naval Base on Sept. 15, 2026. JMSDF photo The Royal New Zealand Navy Task Group – including frigate HMNZS Te Mana (F111) and fleet oiler HMNZS Aotearoa (A11) – departed JMSDF Yokosuka Naval Base on Tuesday. Both ships are on an Indo-Pacific deployment.

Near Mikura-jima and Hachijo-jima

A Russian Navy surface action group were sighted Sept. 14, 2026, sailing southwest 50 kilometers – 31 miles – southeast of the island of Mikura-jima, which is located 200 kilometers – 124 miles – south of Tokyo, Japan’s Joint Staff Office said. The surface action group includes destroyers RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov (543) and RFS Admiral Tributs (564) and fleet oiler Pechenga. Japan Joint Staff Office map A Russian Navy surface action group were sighted late Monday sailing southwest 50 kilometers – 31 miles – southeast of the island of Mikura-jima, which is located 200 kilometers – 124 miles – south of Tokyo, Japan’s Joint Staff Office said. The surface action group includes destroyers RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov (543) and RFS Admiral Tributs (564) and fleet oiler Pechenga.

Then, through Tuesday, the Russian ships sailed southwest between the islands of Mikura-jima and Hachijo-jima. A JMSDF P-1 MPA shadowed the Russian ships, reads the JSO news release.

The surface group previously transited the Tsugaru Strait, which separates the main island of Honshu and Hokkaido on Saturday, where JMSDF minesweeper JS Izushima (MSC-687) and a JMSDF P-3C Orion MPA carried out surveillance on the Russian ships. The Russian Navy Pacific Fleet has said the ships are on an Asia Pacific deployment that will include port visits to Russia’s partner nations.

In the Tsushima Strait

Russian Navy surveillance ship Kurily (208) on Sept. 11, 2026. Japan JSO photo Russian Navy surveillance ship Kurily (208) was sighted on Sept. 11 sailing north 210 kilometers – 130 miles – southwest of the Danjo Islands in the East China Sea. On Saturday, the ship sailed northeast through the Tsushima Strait to enter the Sea of Japan. JMSDF fast attack craft JS Otaka (PG-826) and a JMSDF P-3C Orion of Fleet Air Wing 4 monitored the Russian ship.

Near Yonaguni Island and Iriomote Island

Russian Navy corvette RFS Rezkiy’s (343) route the week of Sept. 18, 2026. Japan JSO map Russian Navy corvette RFS Rezkiy (343) sailed southwest between Yonaguni Island and Iriomote Island to enter the Philippine Sea on Tuesday. The Russian corvette was previously sighted sailing southwest 60 kilometers – 37 miles – north of Iriomote Island at 4 a.m. the same day, according to a JSO release. JMSDF JS Suzutsuki (DD-117) shadowed Rezkiy. Earlier from Saturday to Sunday, the Russian corvette sailed southwest through the Tsushima Strait to enter the East China Sea.

Near Amani Oshima and Yokoate-jima

At 4 a.m. local time Sunday, People’s Liberation Army Navy Dongdiao-class surveillance ship Jinxing (799) was observed sailing southeast 70 kilometers – 44 miles – west of the island of Amami Oshima and then northeast between Amami Oshima and Yokoate-jima to enter the Philippine Sea. A JMSDF P-1 MPA shadowed Jinxing.

PLAN destroyer CNS Baotou (133) and frigate CNS Huangshi (535) entered the East China Sea on Sept. 14, 2026. Japan JSO photos PLAN destroyer CNS Baotou (133) and frigate CNS Huangshi (535) entered the East China Sea on Tuesday after sailing west between the islands of Amami Oshima and Yokoate-jima. The PLAN ships were previously sighted west 100 kilometers –62 miles – northeast of Amami Oshima at 10 a.m. on the same day. JMSDF destroyer JS Hamagiri (DD-155) carried out surveillance on the PLAN ships, the JSO said. On Aug. 22, the PLAN ships sailed south between Miyako Island and Okinawa to enter the Philippine Sea.

In the Osumi Strait

PLAN destroyer CNS Xigaze (159) and frigate CNS Yixing (537) were sighted at 7 a.m. Tuesday sailing northwest 50 kilometers – 31 miles – southeast of Cape Toi on the main island of Kyushu. The ships sailed west through the Osumi Strait, which is between Kyushu and Tanegashima Island, to enter the East China Sea.

JMSDF fast attack craft JS Shirataka (PG-829) shadowed the PLAN ships. The two ships previously sailed south between Miyako Island and Okinawa on Aug. 22 to enter the Philippine Sea.

In the Sea of Japan

Russian Navy attack submarine RFS Ufa (B-588) conducted a live firing of Kalibr cruise missiles in the Sea of Japan, near Russia’s far east coastline, Russia’s Pacific Fleet announced on Sept. 17, 2026. State media TASS image Russian Navy attack submarine RFS Ufa (B-588) conducted a live firing of Kalibr cruise missiles in the Sea of Japan, near Russia’s far east coastline, the Russian Navy Pacific Fleet announced Thursday. The first missile hit a surface target simulating an enemy surface warship at a range of 130 kilometers – 80 miles – while the second missile hit a coastal target located more than 1,000 kilometers – 621 miles – away at the Syurkum tactical field in Khabarovsk region.

This post was written by Dzirhan Mahadzir.