US admiral signals wider role for powerful Third Fleet in Western Pacific to focus on areas with 'greatest instability'

A top American admiral wants the US Navy's powerful Third Fleet to expand its engagement in the western Pacific region from its headquarters in San Diego by operating more closely with the navy's Japan-based Seventh Fleet to focus on areas with the "greatest instability".

In two recent speeches that received little media attention, US Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Scott Swift questioned the need for an administrative boundary running along the International Date Line to demarcate operations for the Seventh Fleet in the western Pacific and the Third Fleet to the east.

In an early sign of a shift in strategy, US naval officials said Third Fleet commander Vice-Admiral Nora Tyson rather than her Seventh Fleet counterpart would represent the US Navy at the Japan Fleet Review on October 18, a display of Japanese naval power held every three years.

"I would not be surprised to see more of Vice-Admiral Tyson operating forward as part of this concept development process," Swift said in a speech on September 7 during a visit to the Seventh Fleet headquarters in Yokosuka, Japan.

Any change would not mean the relocation of headquarters or home ports, but would allow the two fleets to work together in "areas with the greatest instability", Swift said.

His remarks coincide with growing tension over China's territorial ambitions in Asia's disputed waters, especially in the South China Sea, where Beijing is building seven artificial islands that include three airstrips.