Fourth US Navy Supercarrier Has Headed To Sea, Conducting ‘Routine Operations’
Another U.S. Navy nuclear-powered supercarrier is preparing for an upcoming deployment, but that could still be a few weeks away. USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), fourth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Departed Naval Base San Diego on Sunday Conducting what the U.S. Navy calls “routine operations.”
The aircraft carrier has been preparing for its upcoming deployment for several months, including conducting fleet replacement fleet carrier qualifications off the West Coast earlier this week. The pre-deployment training cycle will require several more evolutions before the supercarrier embarks on its next mission.
There is speculation that CVN-71, named after the 26th president of the United States, could head to the Middle East later this spring, relieving the USS. Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) has been operating in the region since January.
CVN-71 returned to its homeport of San Diego in October 2024 following a nine-month deployment that included operations in the U.S. 3rd, 5th, and 7th Fleets’ areas of responsibility. During this deployment USS Theodore RooseveltThe flagship of Carrier Strike Group 9 took part in Operation Prosperity Guardian, protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and deterring Houthi rebels.
The Big Stick May Return to the Middle East
Although it is unclear whether the USS Theodore Roosevelt It will be familiar waters for the warship as it will be sent to the Middle East once it begins its deployment.
Nicknamed “Big Stick” in reference to President Theodore Roosevelt’s famous foreign policy adage “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” CVN-71 was launched in October 1984 and entered service in October 1986. USS Theodore Roosevelt It began its first deployment in late December 1988 with the embarkation of Carrier Air Wing Eight.
Just over two years later, USS Theodore Roosevelt It deployed to participate in Operation Desert Shield and arrived in the Persian Gulf in mid-January 1991.
During the subsequent Operation Desert Storm, which began just a day before the carrier arrived on station, CVN-71 took part in combat operations in which pilots flew more than 4,200 sorties, more than any other carrier. In total, aircraft departing from USS Theodore Roosevelt More than 4.8 million pounds of ordnance were dropped.
Aircraft flying from the carrier later took part in patrols during Operation Provide Comfort in support of Kurdish forces in Iraq, and then a year later took part in patrols in Operation Deny Flight in support of the US no-fly zone over Bosnia. CVN-71 later became one of the few nuclear-powered warships to transit the Suez Canal when deployed to participate in Operation Southern Watch in Iraq.
USS Theodore Roosevelt It began its seventh deployment on September 11, 2001, immediately following the terrorist attacks on New York City and the Pentagon. CVN-71 joins USS Attempt (CVN-68) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and launched attacks against Al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. USS deployed in the region Theodore Roosevelt It spent a total of 160 consecutive days at sea, breaking the record for the longest voyage by a U.S. ship since World War II.
More Flattops Are Already on the Way
While it may take a few weeks for the USS Theodore Roosevelt to sail to the Middle East, other warships could arrive later this month. USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) departed Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on Tuesday and began its final scheduled deployment.
US Navy has not confirmed the whereabouts of the 10th and final CVN-77 Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier will take over. Still, it’s very likely she’ll head to the Middle East to relieve the Norfolk-based USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is currently undergoing repairs in Split, Croatia. CVN-78, the Navy’s newest and largest carrier, has had its mission extended, and last month the flat-top aircraft suffered a serious fire in its laundry room.
Addressing the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, Adm. Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations, praised the crew’s efforts to contain the fire but acknowledged that the fire was still hampering combat operations against Iran. CNN reported.
“They fought it, put it out, and two days later they started flying sorties, so I’m very proud of that crew,” Caudle said.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Salvador Cisneros, left, and Lance Cpl. Field artillery gunner Joshua Solorzano, both with Echo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security for the defense of the amphibious task force exercise aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport ship USS Portland (LPD 27).
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam Bishop)
Also two weeks ago, the San Diego-based Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) Started distribution in 2026with 2,200 Marines from Camp Pendleton. Joined LHD-4 Whidbey Island-class harbor landing ship USS comstock (LSD-45) and San AntonioUSS-class amphibious transport dock Portland (LPD-27). The ships are now heading to the Middle East.
This will contribute to an increase in US military personnel already in the region.
The US Navy confirmed last week AmericaUSS-class amphibious assault ship Tripoli (LHA-7) currently working In US Central Command’s area of responsibility. The flagship of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group carries units of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, a rapid response force of 2,200 personnel based in Okinawa, Japan.
This article was first published on: Forbes.com
