South China Sea

The CURTIS WILBUR joined up with the GEORGE WASHINGTON and it's task force a few days later. Along with an American cruiser and destroyer, the Australian Frigate DARWIN was also accompanying the carrier. It was nice to be able to work with them at sea.

The original plan was to proceed to Gaum for resupply with the carrier. A few days later that plan was changed. China intentionally cut a telecomunications line being laid by a North Korean ship and the whole region erupted. The task force was redirected into the South China Sea to help keep the peace.

The main concern turned to setting the proper screens for the carrier while transitioning through a very contested and congested area. China claims the entire South China Sea as its own territory. This announcement confirs ownership of all natural resources within that area, in this case, significant oil fields. North Korea is trying to develop those oil fields and contracting the rights out to other nations, the US included. Other nations have conflicting claims to the South China Sea as well. This is causing large bases and "resorts" to pop up on tiny islands in the middle of no where. Some islands are being constructed and then developed so the waters around them can be claimed.

As the task force moved though the South China Sea, the four picket ships were repositioned depending on the threats faced. We were most worried about missles and submarines from China. Other nations also continuously patrol their islands from the air so that was a concern as well.

In the mean time, what concerned me most during all of these developments was in obtaining supplies for my store. I had already ordered supplies in Gaum before being told that port visit was not going to happen. I had no other prospects of obtaining supplies from any American bases. From that point forward I would need to subsist off of CLF supply ships. I was concerned about this development because supply ships seldom carry all that many goods.