Latest news with #CarlVinson
Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Map Shows Where US Aircraft Carriers Are in Indo-Pacific
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Newsweek map shows that four United States aircraft carriers were underway across the Indo-Pacific this week—from the country's West Coast to waters off the Arabian Peninsula. With regard to the deployment of its aircraft carrier strike groups, the U.S. Navy said it is a symbol of Washington's commitment to maintaining what it calls "a free and open Indo-Pacific region." Why It Matters The U.S. military possesses the world's largest aircraft carrier fleet, with 11 nuclear-powered vessels in active service—including six based in the Pacific Ocean—which are regularly deployed to help keep U.S. adversaries, namely China, North Korea and Iran, in check. The multiple deployments of U.S. aircraft carriers come after China flexed its naval power by simultaneously sending two aircraft carriers to the Pacific Ocean recently, while the Pentagon maintains its military presence in the Middle East despite a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. What To Know Based on official disclosures and open-source satellite imagery, the locations of U.S. aircraft carriers are publicly available. USS Theodore Roosevelt departed San Diego, California, on Tuesday to conduct exercises aimed at bolstering the readiness of its carrier strike group. The Theodore Roosevelt returned to San Diego last October after a nine-month deployment across the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East, during which it supported regional security and stability, as well as strengthened U.S. military force posture and capabilities, according to the Navy. In the western Pacific, USS George Washington was spotted underway in the Celebes Sea—located between the Philippines and Indonesia—as of Sunday, following a patrol in the South China Sea during its deployment within the U.S. Seventh Fleet's operating area. The western Pacific and Indian Oceans are part of the Seventh Fleet's area of operations. An F-35C fighter jet lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in the Celebes Sea on July 13, 2025. An F-35C fighter jet lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in the Celebes Sea on July 13, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ana Souza Young/U.S. Navy Following operations with its sister ship, USS Nimitz, in the Middle East earlier this month, USS Carl Vinson returned to the Indian Ocean on an eastward voyage and was underway in the Andaman Sea—located off the coasts of Myanmar and Thailand—as of Tuesday. Citing a U.S. defense official, USNI News reported that the Carl Vinson departed the North Arabian Sea on July 11. The aircraft carrier was deployed from San Diego last November. The Nimitz, along with three destroyers and a replenishment oiler, was captured in satellite imagery while underway in the Arabian Sea off the southern coast of Oman on Sunday. Both the Nimitz and the Carl Vinson were previously repositioned from the western Pacific to the Middle East. 🚨 OSINT Intel Drop: 🇺🇸Carrier Strike Group 11 Fresh imagery (13 July 2025) confirms CSG 11, including USS Nimitz and 3x Arleigh Burke destroyers, operating off Oman's south coast. 1x destroyer conducting an UNREP with oiler USNS John Lewis. This activity comes as regional… — MT Anderson (@MT_Anderson) July 14, 2025 Of the remaining two Pacific-based U.S. aircraft carriers, USS Ronald Reagan continued scheduled maintenance at a shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, as of Tuesday, while USS Abraham Lincoln remained in San Diego following its return to port on July 10 after a few days at sea. What People Are Saying The U.S. Navy said of USS George Washington's deployment: "George Washington is the U.S. Navy's premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States' commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy's largest numbered fleet." The U.S. Seventh Fleet previously told Newsweek: "Every day the U.S. Pacific Fleet operates to protect the security, freedom, and prosperity for the United States and our allies and partners, reflecting our commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the Carl Vinson and the George Washington will operate together in the Western Pacific to counter China's increased naval activities in the region.
South China Morning Post
21-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Why a US aircraft carrier's voyage to the Middle East is causing ripples around Taiwan
The Pentagon has diverted an aircraft carrier strike group from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East, marking the US Navy's fourth such manoeuvre in less than a year and prompting words of caution in Taiwan Analysts said the United States would need to look at ways to balance immediate operational needs in the Middle East with long-term strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific, as fluctuating and prolonged conflicts made greater demands on American military resources. According to media reports, the nuclear-powered USS Nimitz halted operations in the South China Sea on Monday to sail to the Middle East to support the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group. The carrier cancelled plans to dock in Vietnam this week, Reuters reported on Monday citing sources, one of whom said the US embassy in Hanoi had mentioned 'an emergent operational requirement'. 01:16 US Navy jets fly over American aircraft carrier in South China Sea US Navy jets fly over American aircraft carrier in South China Sea The redeployment comes as arch-enemies Israel and Iran are engaged in their worst hostilities in decades.
South China Morning Post
21-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Why US aircraft carrier's voyage to Middle East is causing ripples around Taiwan
The Pentagon has rerouted an aircraft carrier strike group from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East, marking the US Navy's fourth such manoeuvre in less than a year and prompting words of caution in Taiwan Advertisement Analysts said the United States would need to look at ways to balance immediate operational needs in the Middle East with long-term strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific, as fluctuating and prolonged conflicts make increased demands on American military resources. According to US and other media reports, the nuclear-powered USS Nimitz halted operations in the South China Sea on Monday to sail to the Middle East to support the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group. The carrier cancelled plans to dock in Vietnam this week, Reuters reported on Monday citing sources, one of whom said the US embassy in Hanoi had mentioned 'an emergent operational requirement'. 01:16 US Navy jets fly over American aircraft carrier in South China Sea US Navy jets fly over American aircraft carrier in South China Sea The latest US Navy redeployment comes as arch-enemies Israel and Iran are engaged in their worst hostilities in decades.
India Today
20-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Mapping US military posture in West Asia as Trump mulls Iran attack
As President Donald Trump decides whether to join Israel's attack on Iran, the American armed forces have made a series of manoeuvres to adjust the US defence posture in West Asia amid the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv. advertisementAccording to open-source evidence, US officials, and media reports, more than 15 destroyer ships, cruisers, oilers, logistics ships, and a carrier strike group (CSG) Carl Vinson, are currently operating in the Central Command's (CENTCOM) areas of responsibility in the Arabian Sea and Red Sea. Another carrier strike group, the crown of US naval power, has also been diverted to West Asia, as per USNI News. CSG Nimitz (CVN-68) was sailing in the Malacca Strait three days ago, as per ship tracking data. Six more ships, including two destroyers, are deployed in the Mediterranean Sea to support MOVED TO AVOID IRANIAN ATTACKadvertisementThe US has also made some moves to protect its vulnerable naval and air assets in the Persian Gulf. Satellite images suggest the US has moved unsheltered fighter jets and aircraft from its largest air base in West Asia, Al Udeid air base in Qatar, to safer locations. Navy ships have also been dispersed from the US-West joint naval base in Bahrain, called the Naval Support Activity (NSA). Credit: European Space Agency (ESA) The military assets were moved away from their original places in anticipation of an Iranian attack on the US forces. After Israel's attack, Iran has threatened to attack US forces, citing Washington's continued political, diplomatic, and military support to Tel Aviv. Credit: European Space Agency (ESA) US TROOPS IN WEST ASIAThe US maintains more than 11,000 on-ground military personnel across West Asia. As per the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the US maintains eight permanent and 11 temporary or rotational military bases in the of 2024, there were around 5,400 permanent US troops, and more than 6100 service members were deployed on a rotational basis in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Nearly 3500 US troops are deployed in Bahrain alone, as per the Congressional Research Service The US regularly makes adjustments to its troop deployment as per the situation. For example, it deployed additional forces when Yemen's Houthis were targeting Red Sea shipping lines and pulled some non-essential personnel before the Israeli attacks earlier this from these troops, thousands of others were present on the carrier strike group (CSG) and other ships in the IN A CARRIER STRIKE GROUP?A carrier strike group (CSG) is a principal element of US power, holding enough firepower to rival the air forces of many for being powerful, mobile, flexible, independent and sustainable, a carrier strike group typically contains roughly 7,500 sailors and marines. An aircraft carrier serves as the platform for flight operations and also forms the nucleus of a carrier strike group. Every aircraft carrier of the CSG is nuclear-powered, which means it can remain on the high seas for a longer period. advertisementA CSG contains five different types of ships: a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, a replenishment ship, a cruiser, destroyers, and an attack 66 aircraft and helicopters are typically deployed on board a carrier strike group's ships, including fighter jets, Growlers for electronic warfare, Hawkeyes for surveillance, C-2 Greyhound for transporting supplies from the shore, and helicopters. Typically, five types of ships are part of a carrier strike group The CSG is meant to 'achieve and sustain air, sea and undersea control, respond to crises and protect the United States' interests anywhere, anytime,' reads an infographic published by Huntington Ingalls Industries, the sole builder of US Navy aircraft MILITARY BUILD-UPThe operations of two carrier strike groups in close proximity are quite unusual and signal the Trump administration's preparedness for any eventualities as the Israel-Iran conflict escalates further. The deployment comes amid growing indications that President Donald Trump has been warming up to the idea of joining Israel to strike some of Iran's nuclear sites. 'I may, I may not. Nobody knows what I'll do,' he told reporters when asked if he would order US forces to strike Iran. Fordow is situated nearly 120-km southwest of capital Tehran. advertisementThe US military role is crucial for destroying Iran's Fordow underground nuclear enrichment facility, which the United Nations' nuclear watchdog says has enriched Uranium up to 83.7 per cent facility is located 80-90 meters below the surface in a mountainous area. To destroy this facility, US B-2 Stealth bombers will need to drop GBU-57A/B 'bunker buster' bombs. Tune In IN THIS STORY#United States of America#Donald Trump
Fox News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
USS Nimitz carrier strike group sailing toward Middle East ahead of schedule, US official says
The USS Nimitz carrier strike group is on its way to the Middle East from the South China Sea, a U.S. official told Fox News. The Nimitz strike group was previously scheduled to replace the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group, which has been deployed for several months, but is now heading to the Middle East ahead of schedule. The two will now be in the Middle East at the same time. USS Carl Vinson was the only aircraft carrier in the region as of last Friday, U.S. defense officials told Fox News. USS Nimitz – commissioned on May 3, 1975 – is the oldest active aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy. This is possibly its final sea voyage, as the Nimitz is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2026. The deployment is significant because the Nimitz was also deployed in 1980 when its helicopters were part of the failed U.S. effort known as Operation Eagle Claw to rescue the American hostages being held at the US Embassy in Tehran. The U.S. has been in a shadow war against Iran ever since. USS Nimitz departed the South China Sea on Monday morning and was heading west, Reuters reported, citing data from the ship tracking website Marine Traffic. Two sources, including one diplomat, told Reuters the carrier had been scheduled to attend a formal reception in Danang City, central Vietnam, on June 20. It has since been canceled. One of the sources said the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi notified him about the reception being called off due to "an emergent operational requirement." The United States is shifting military resources, including ships, in the Middle East amid Israel's preemptive attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and leadership and Iran's retaliatory strikes that have been ongoing for four consecutive days. American air defense systems and a Navy destroyer helped Israel shoot down ballistic missiles coming in from Iran on Friday, U.S. officials told Fox News. The U.S. has both ground-based Patriot missile defense systems and Terminal High Altitude Air Defense systems in the Middle East capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. The U.S. Navy also had the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, which is capable of defending against ballistic missiles, begin sailing from the western Mediterranean Sea toward the eastern Mediterranean, U.S. officials told Fox News. They said the Navy also had directed another destroyer to move forward so it could be available if requested by the White House. One of the officials cited the Nimitz, which was in the Indo-Pacific at the time, as well as USS George Washington, which had just left its port in Japan, as assets the Navy could possibly surge to the Middle East if so ordered. American fighter jets were also patrolling the sky in the Middle East to protect personnel and installations, and air bases in the region are taking additional security precautions, the officials said. Typically, around 30,000 troops are based in the Middle East, and about 40,000 troops are in the region now, one of the U.S. officials told The Associated Press. That number surged as high as 43,000 last October amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran as well as continuous attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. Former President Joe Biden initially surged ships to protect Israel, a close U.S. ally, following the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists. It was seen at the time as a deterrent against Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Iran. On Oct. 1, 2024, U.S. Navy destroyers fired about a dozen interceptors in defense of Israel as the country came under attack by more than 200 missiles fired by Iran.
