The United States has deployed it’s USS Nimitz (CVN 68) aircraft carrier in the Philippine Sea, days after the Chinese deployed theirs in the region.

According to a US Navy press release, the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is now operating in the Philippine Sea demonstrates the ship’s operational readiness and the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

“Operating forward as a strike group hones our ability to maintain persistent and capable forces at sea, always ready to provide our leaders with a broad spectrum of military capabilities to respond to any crisis or contingency,” said Rear Adm. Maximilian Clark, commander, Carrier Strike Group 11 in a statement.

The strike group consists of the embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9 comprising the USS Gridley (DDG-101), USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG-123), USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) is scheduled port visit to Guam.

The ships are currently operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet.

On Thursday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed the presence of Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong near the country as it transited to the Philippine Sea with its escorts.