The United States is experiencing a significant sea power gap in the Western Pacific Ocean. A second aircraft carrier is set to leave the area soon, with no immediate replacement in sight.
China boasts the second-largest fleet of aircraft carriers globally, trailing only the U.S. Navy. Currently, all three of China’s carriers have returned to their bases. In Australia, NATO member Italy’s carrier has departed and is on its way to Japan for training exercises.
Aircraft carriers serve as vital platforms for countries to project power at sea, supporting national interests and foreign policy both regionally and globally. The U.S. leads the world with 11 operational aircraft carriers.
U.S. Navy Updates
USS Abraham Lincoln: Western Pacific Ocean
Recently, the Lincoln left Naval Base Guam and is headed to the Middle East due to escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. It will replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which remains stationed in the Gulf of Oman after previously being in the Western Pacific.
USS Carl Vinson: Eastern Pacific Ocean
As of Wednesday, the Vinson was in the U.S. Third Fleet and had left Naval Station Pearl Harbor on August 2. It participated in the Rim of the Pacific naval exercise and is returning to its home base in San Diego.
Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem
USS Nimitz: Bremerton, Washington
The Nimitz-class carrier transited through Puget Sound and arrived in Bremerton on August 3. It is homeported at Naval Base Kitsap.
USS George Washington and USS Ronald Reagan: San Diego, California
Both carriers are currently swapping at Naval Air Station North Island. The Washington is expected to soon replace the Ronald Reagan as the forward-deployed carrier in Japan.
The Washington is anticipated to be deployed to the Pacific this fall, as reported by Nikkei Asia.
U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Stanton
People’s Liberation Army Navy Developments
CNS Shandong: Sanya, Hainan
The Chinese carrier Shandong has returned to the South China Sea after a 10-day deployment in the Philippine Sea and is currently docked in Sanya.
CNS Fujian: Shanghai
The newest and most advanced Chinese aircraft carrier, Fujian, returned to a shipyard in Shanghai on July 28 after conducting trials in adjacent seas, and remains there as of Wednesday.
Sentinel Hub
CNS Liaoning: Qingdao, Shandong
The original operational aircraft carrier, Liaoning, was still docked at its base in Qingdao as of August 3.
Italian Navy News
ITS Cavour: Southern Pacific Ocean
This week, the Cavour carrier group departed from Darwin, Australia, completing the Pitch Black exercise and is now en route to Japan, with plans for joint training with the U.S. military in the Central Pacific beforehand.