The United States has sent its oldest aircraft carrier, USS Nimitz, for a Western Pacific Ocean mission to fill the power gap left by its sister ship, which is heading to the Middle East.
The Chinese military did not immediately respond to Newsweek‘s request for comment.
Why It Matters
The U.S. Navy aircraft carriers USS Carl Vinson and USS George Washington have been deployed in the Western Pacific Ocean to counter any threats from China. Beijing has the largest navy in the world by hull count, including two aircraft carriers in service.
USS Carl Vinson, which completed a naval drill in the East China Sea last week, has been ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to begin transiting to the Middle East amid escalating strikes on Yemen-based Houthi rebels, a U.S. official told The Associated Press.
Meanwhile, USS George Washington has remained at Yokosuka naval base, its home port in Japan, since its arrival in November last year, according to Newsweek‘s weekly update.
What To Know
The Nimitz, which was commissioned in 1975, left its home port at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, for a “regularly scheduled deployment” to the Western Pacific Ocean with its carrier strike group on Friday, the U.S. Third Fleet said in a press release.
The nuclear-powered, 100,000-ton warship was named after Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz. It is the lead ship of its class that consists of 10 vessels, including the Carl Vinson and the George Washington.
“The [Nimitz] strike group’s deployment will focus on protecting security, freedom, and prosperity for the United States, our allies and partners, and demonstrating the U.S. Navy’s unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the U.S. Third Fleet explained.
Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Japeth Carter/U.S. Navy
The Nimitz is deployed with destroyers USS Curtis Wilbur, USS Gridley, USS Wayne E. Meyer, and USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee. It is embarked with nine aviation squadrons, operating fighter jets, electronic warfare aircraft, radar aircraft, and helicopters.
The U.S. Pacific Fleet previously told Newsweek that the service life of the Nimitz has been extended by 13 months, from April 2025 to May 2026. This deployment is likely to be its final overseas mission before its planned decommissioning.
It was not clear when the Nimitz would reach the waters west of the International Date Line. The U.S. Naval Institute-run USNI News reported on Friday that it would take the Carl Vinson two to three weeks to reach the Middle East from the Western Pacific Ocean.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Third Fleet said in a press release on Saturday: “For five decades, the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group has upheld the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a forward presence while ensuring maritime security, deterring aggression, and protecting the American way of life. Nimitz, in its 50th year of service, continues and celebrates its legacy of strengthening alliances and partnerships, demonstrating the power of teamwork and cooperation in maintaining peace and security.”
Alex Luck, an Australia-based naval analyst, previously told Newsweek: “[Aircraft] carrier availability has been a long-term concern for the U.S. Navy, especially also caused by sustained presence in the Middle East…I think the immediate repercussions for sheer presence in theater in the Pacific are not as troubling as some voices may make it appear.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether the George Washington will set sail for the first time since its arrival in Japan with the Carl Vinson leaving the Western Pacific Ocean. It may conduct operations with the Nimitz when the latter reaches its deployment area.
