US Navy ship USS William P. Lawrence joined ships from the Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Philippine Navy to sail through the South China Sea between May 2 and 8.
As the USS William P. Lawrence sailed with allies, the guided-missile destroyer’s sister ships USS Preble and USS Chung Hoon on May 6 conducted a freedom of navigation operation, sailing within 12 nautical miles of reefs in the Spratly Islands in order to challenge excessive maritime claims.