The US Navy recently made headlines by putting 6 of its 11 aircraft carriers into operational status, highlighting the country’s naval power around the globe. Here are some highlights of the status and operations of US aircraft carriers.
Aircraft Carriers In Operation
Over the weekend, a formation of three US Navy aircraft carriers moved across the Atlantic Ocean to carry out a weapons delivery mission. According to a report from the US Navy, the formation included:
- USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
– USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)
– USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)
All three carriers are based at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Harry S. Truman are Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, while USS Gerald R. Ford is the lead aircraft carrier of the Gerald R. Ford class, and at 100,000 tons, is the world’s largest aircraft carrier.
Deployments and Operations
– USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its strike group returned to Norfolk after a nine-month deployment to the Middle East, participating in combat operations in the Red Sea region.
USS Gerald R. Ford returned to Norfolk in January after an eight-month deployment to Europe and continues to operate in the Atlantic to enhance core capabilities and skills.
USS Harry S. Truman is currently completing final preparations ahead of deployment later this year.
Status of Other Aircraft Carriers
The two Norfolk-based aircraft carriers, USS John C. Stennis and USS George H.W. Bush, is currently unavailable for duty. The USS John C. Stennis is undergoing an overhaul that is scheduled to be completed in October 2026, while the USS George H.W. Bush is scheduled to complete its maintenance in July 2025.
Aircraft Carriers on the West Coast
On the West Coast, six U.S. aircraft carriers are in service, with two, the USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Abraham Lincoln, currently operating in the Gulf of Oman. They have been reassigned from the Western Pacific in response to rising tensions between Israel and Iran.
Current Situation
– USS George Washington has departed San Diego and is operating in the Eastern Pacific. It will deploy to Japan this fall.
– USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan are currently docked at the Puget Sound Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.
– USS Carl Vinson remains in port in San Diego.
The US Navy maintains a robust and flexible aircraft carrier force to meet global demands and ensure its military presence in strategic regions.
