H-6K to Fiery Cross Reef

According to this CCTV capture, the PLA is sending more than a task force of 6 surface ships to the South China Sea -- an overflight of H-6K is also being reported.  This naval drill is now quickly becoming a three-dimension affair with surface ships, subs and air cover in position. 

Wednesday, May 04, 2016

"6" PLAN ships to conduct drill in South China Sea

As always, the Chinese version (here) from the official PLA news website is in greater detail on this drill over the English Xinhua brief below, namely:

* Incorporate military reconnaissance feeds from South China Sea garrisons (confirming a long suspected capability possessed by those island garrisons)
* First deployment of DDG174 Hefei, the latest member of Type 052D, commissioned in Dec 2015.
* An unknown number of submarines to provide "Anti-blockade" support

Chinese navy to conduct drill in South China Sea
Source: Xinhua   2016-05-04 20:58:44     [More]
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-05/04/c_135334410.htm
BEIJING, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Three naval ships of China's Nanhai Fleet left a naval port in Sanya, Hainan Province, on Wednesday, kicking off an annual combat drill in the South China Sea and neighboring waters.

The three ships include missile destroyer Hefei, missile frigate Sanya and supply ship Honghu. They will later be joined by missile destroyers Lanzhou and Guangzhou, as well as missile frigate Yulin, which are now carrying out other duties.

With three helicopters and dozens of "special warfare" soldiers, the fleet will be separated into three groups that will sail to areas of the South China Sea, the east Indian Ocean and the west Pacific, to conduct varied drills.

The fleet will mobilize naval air force, garrison forces in the Xisha and Nansha islands, and forces of the Beihai Fleet along the way to take part in the drill.

The drill aims to enhance combat readiness and practise coordination between ships and aircraft, and other forces, the navy said.