Lt. David Bailey walks along a catapult on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington while underway in the Pacific Ocean on Oct. 12, 2024. (August Clawson/U.S. Navy)
The aircraft carrier USS George Washington is on its way to Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, where it will take the place of the USS Ronald Reagan, the Navy announced Friday.
The George Washington left Naval Base San Diego on Oct. 8 for routine operations, according to a news release from the Yokosuka-based U.S. 7th Fleet. The carrier is expected to arrive in Tokyo Bay later this fall, according to the release.
“USS George Washington departed San Diego to begin the final phase of its redeployment to Japan, where it will once again serve as the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier,” said Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5.
“George Washington, with all its capabilities, represents America’s commitment to stability in the region where it will sail and fly with our partner navies as we strive to move from interoperability to true interchangeability,” he said.
The Ronald Reagan left Yokosuka in May and arrived in August at Naval Base Kitsap, Wash., for scheduled maintenance at the shipyard there. The carrier was spotted off San Diego this month.
Meanwhile, the George Washington underwent its midlife nuclear refueling and overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding in May 2023 and after 10 months of certifications and inspections left Norfolk Naval Base, Va., in April. It steamed around South America to arrive in San Diego in July, according to the Navy.
Carrier Air Wing 5 will embark with George Washington for its trip across the Pacific Ocean and its home base at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The wing recently completed training at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nev., according to Friday’s release.
“I am incredibly proud of this team and everything they have accomplished this year,” said the George Washington’s skipper, Capt. Timothy Waits, in the release. “This crew, alongside Carrier Air Wing 5, is trained, tested, and ready to return to 7th Fleet as the Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier.”
The George Washington served as the centerpiece of 7th Fleet’s carrier strike group from 2008 to 2015, when it was relieved by the Ronald Reagan. It was the first nuclear-powered carrier deployed to Japan, according to the Navy.
