The U.S. Navy’s Only ‘Forward-Deployed’ Supercarrier Has Gone To Sea

BusinessAerospace & DefenseThe U.S. Navy’s Only ‘Forward-Deployed’ Supercarrier Has Gone To SeaByPeter Suciu,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Peter Suciu covers trends in the world of aerospace and defense.Follow AuthorMay 11, 2026, 11:15am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.The USS George Washington aircraft carrier is docked at U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka on March 30, 2026 in Yokosuka, Japan. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe United States Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, the nuclear-powered USS George Washington (CVN-73), departed from her homeport of Yokosuka, Japan, for a post-maintenance underway over the weekend, Japanese media reported. The sixth Nimitz-class flattop completed her last deployment in December 2025 and underwent maintenance following her return to Yokosuka, the home of the United States 7th Fleet.The departure of the supercarrier from the port was not announced, but as Stars and Stripes explained, the U.S. Navy “rarely discusses ship movements publicly, but it regularly notifies the Japanese government when a nuclear-powered ship — aircraft carriers or submarines — arrive or depart Yokosuka city.”The supercarrier may be undergoing sea trials, which could last for about a week, in advance of her next deployment. That could begin later this summer.However, isn’t just the crew of USS George Washington that is now preparing for the next mission. Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5), which is typically embarked on CVN-73, began 10 days of field carrier landing practice drills on Iwo Jima, with the training continuing through May 17.U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II aircraft (bottom) with Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 147, Carrier Air Wing 5, and F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft assigned to VFA-102, CVW-5, conduct aerial flyover(Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Photo by Mariko Hasegawa)“U.S....