The United States has one of its six West Coast-based aircraft carriers operating in the Western Pacific Ocean again following a two-month surge deployment in the Middle East. This operational shift marks a significant moment in the ongoing military presence of the U.S. Navy in the region. Meanwhile, tensions remain high as China's naval capabilities continue to expand, with all three of its aircraft carriers simultaneously underway for the second time this month.
The presence of the U.S. aircraft carrier reflects strategic military maneuvers as it operates near critical regions such as Taiwan, which China views as its breakaway province. Concurrently, Japan stands as a major ally for Washington in Asia, further complicating the dynamics in this vital area. In addition to U.S. and Chinese naval movements, an aircraft carrier from NATO member Italy has also been spotted in the South China Sea, demonstrating the collaborative military efforts among allies.
Newsweek's weekly update provides a detailed map of U.S. and Chinese aircraft carrier movements within the strategic Indo-Pacific region. As of September 20, the locations of at least nine ships were publicly available through military disclosures and open-source satellite imagery. The U.S. Navy maintains its dominance with the world's largest aircraft carrier fleet, boasting 11 vessels in active service, while China ranks second with three operational carriers.
U.S. Navy
USS Theodore Roosevelt: South China Sea
The Theodore Roosevelt has recently returned to the South China Sea after navigating through the Singapore Strait. This vessel had been stationed in the Middle East since July 12, following an unexpected diversion from its original deployment in the Western Pacific, concluding its mission on September 12. Meanwhile, the USS Abraham Lincoln remains stationed in the Middle East after diverting on August 21 from the Western Pacific.
Both aircraft carriers are home-ported at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California, where their journeys began. The Theodore Roosevelt set sail in January, while the Abraham Lincoln departed in July.
USS Ronald Reagan: Bremerton, Washington
The Ronald Reagan made its way to Naval Base Kitsap on August 13, following a hull swap with USS George Washington at Naval Air Station North Island. Previously stationed at Yokosuka naval base in Japan, the Reagan is now preparing for an extensive 17-month maintenance period scheduled to commence in March 2025 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
Recent official U.S. Navy photos captured sailors conducting a general quarters drill in the hangar bay of the Ronald Reagan while it was in port, illustrating the ongoing training and readiness of the crew.
USS Carl Vinson: San Diego, California
Recent satellite imagery indicates that the Carl Vinson is currently docked at Naval Air Station North Island. After returning from Hawaii on August 15, it was briefly underway again on August 17 for a one-day Friends and Family Day Cruise.
USS Nimitz and USS George Washington: Eastern Pacific Ocean
The Nimitz, recognized as the lead ship of the 100,000-ton Nimitz-class supercarriers, departed from its home port at Naval Base Kitsap for training exercises on September 13. After arriving at Naval Air Station North Island, it was underway again just two days later on September 15.
The George Washington also departed from Naval Air Station North Island on September 19, preparing for its upcoming deployment to Yokosuka, Japan, where it will replace the Ronald Reagan as the Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier.
People's Liberation Army Navy
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