A second US Navy supercarrier is now deployed to the Western Pacific, marking a significant shift in naval presence in the region.
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), the fifth Nimitz-class supercarrier, arrived at Guam on December 11, less than two weeks after its counterpart, the USS George Washington (CVN-73), completed her first full deployment since returning to the Indo-Pacific following a complex midlife refueling in late 2023. The Lincoln's arrival is part of the US Navy's efforts to maintain a strong military presence in the region, with both carriers operating air wings that include fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs.
The USS George Washington, meanwhile, will spend the holidays back home, but its deployment comes as another significant milestone for the US Navy's forward-deployed carrier program. The sixth Nimitz-class supercarrier departed from Yokosuka, Japan, on June 10 and participated in multiple operations with US allies and partners, including the Australian-led Talisman Sabre 2025.
The presence of both carriers in the region underscores the US Navy's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Rear Admiral Todd Whalen, commander of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, said that the strike group's presence demonstrates the "demonstrates our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific" while port calls to strategic locations like Guam enhance mission readiness.
The USS Abraham Lincoln's deployment marks the third US Navy supercarrier to operate in the Western Pacific this year, following the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and the USS George Washington. The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7), meanwhile, arrived at Da Nang on December 8 as part of a scheduled rotation of forces.
The US Navy's focus on the Indo-Pacific comes as tensions with China continue to rise in the region. The deployment of both carriers and the amphibious assault ship is seen as a strategic response to these tensions, with the US Navy seeking to maintain its military presence in the region while also engaging with regional partners.
While some critics have argued that the US Navy's focus on the Indo-Pacific comes at the expense of other regions, the deployment of both supercarriers and amphibious assault ships suggests that the service is committed to maintaining a strong presence around the world. As Rear Admiral Tom Shultz said of the USS Tripoli's visit to Vietnam, "We could not have asked for a warmer welcome from our Vietnamese partners."
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), the fifth Nimitz-class supercarrier, arrived at Guam on December 11, less than two weeks after its counterpart, the USS George Washington (CVN-73), completed her first full deployment since returning to the Indo-Pacific following a complex midlife refueling in late 2023. The Lincoln's arrival is part of the US Navy's efforts to maintain a strong military presence in the region, with both carriers operating air wings that include fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs.
The USS George Washington, meanwhile, will spend the holidays back home, but its deployment comes as another significant milestone for the US Navy's forward-deployed carrier program. The sixth Nimitz-class supercarrier departed from Yokosuka, Japan, on June 10 and participated in multiple operations with US allies and partners, including the Australian-led Talisman Sabre 2025.
The presence of both carriers in the region underscores the US Navy's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Rear Admiral Todd Whalen, commander of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, said that the strike group's presence demonstrates the "demonstrates our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific" while port calls to strategic locations like Guam enhance mission readiness.
The USS Abraham Lincoln's deployment marks the third US Navy supercarrier to operate in the Western Pacific this year, following the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and the USS George Washington. The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7), meanwhile, arrived at Da Nang on December 8 as part of a scheduled rotation of forces.
The US Navy's focus on the Indo-Pacific comes as tensions with China continue to rise in the region. The deployment of both carriers and the amphibious assault ship is seen as a strategic response to these tensions, with the US Navy seeking to maintain its military presence in the region while also engaging with regional partners.
While some critics have argued that the US Navy's focus on the Indo-Pacific comes at the expense of other regions, the deployment of both supercarriers and amphibious assault ships suggests that the service is committed to maintaining a strong presence around the world. As Rear Admiral Tom Shultz said of the USS Tripoli's visit to Vietnam, "We could not have asked for a warmer welcome from our Vietnamese partners."