NEW YORK -- The U.S. Navy is holding parallel exercises in the Philippine Sea and the Indian Ocean, involving the so-called "Quad" nations of the U.S., Japan, India and Australia, in a move sure to catch the attention of Beijing.
On Tuesday, the Navy said that it had begun a trilateral exercise in the Philippine Sea with Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Australian Defense Force.
America's aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam and guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin were joined by Australia's Stuart and Arunta frigates, Hobart destroyer, Canberra landing helicopter dock ship, and Sirius fleet replenishment vessel, as well as Japan's Teruzuki destroyer.