USS Theodore Roosevelt
The Chinese military simulated an attack on the USS Theodore Roosevelt using bombers and fighter jets back in January according to new reports.
The simulated attack took place three days after the Biden inauguration.
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American Military News reported:
On Jan. 23, Chinese bombers and fighter jets simulated an attack on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) aircraft carrier as the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group entered the contested South China Sea.
Eight Chinese H-6K bombers and four J-16 fighter jets appeared to practice an attack on the aircraft carrier, the Financial Times initially reported based on the accounts of officials familiar with intelligence surrounding the simulated attack. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command spokesperson Capt. Mike Kafka later confirmed the reported attack in a statement to Business Insider on Friday.
“The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group closely monitored all People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and Air Force (PLAAF) activity, and at no time did they pose a threat to US Navy ships, aircraft, or Sailors,” Kafka said.
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The Financial Times reported the Chinese H-6 bomber pilots were heard, in intercepted radio transmissions, confirming orders to simulate targeting and releasing anti-ship missiles against the U.S. aircraft carrier.
Earlier this week over 200 Chinese vessels were spotted in the West Philippine Sea.
