The forward-deployed aircraft carrier for U.S. Naval Forces Japan, USS Ronald Reagan, has been relieved by Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington, marking a pivotal moment in strategic U.S. Navy operations in the Indo-Pacific region. This highly coordinated hull swap with the Government of Japan falls under planned lifecycle management for the class of aircraft carriers.
Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk, commander of Task Force 70 and Carrier Strike Group 5 singled out praise in his speech for the decade of service the USS Ronald Reagan has accomplished on its mission of projecting combat power and upholding international law with allies and partners. “Reagan’s crew and those who have served aboard over the past several years should be tremendously proud of what they accomplished,” Newkirk said.
This is not the first return of the USS George Washington to Japan; it was previously forwarded-deployed as the FDNF-J aircraft carrier in 2008 as the first nuclear-powered carrier. Capt. Daryle Cardone, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer, spoke to the legacy left by the Ronald Reagan crew in upholding international law and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. Assuredly, he stated that George Washington would take this mantle-a “spirit of freedom,” into the region.
This transition is a testament to the enduring U.S. commitment to peace, stability, and freedom in the Indo-Pacific. “Now is also an exciting time for the men and women of the USS George Washington, who are building on that ship’s history as Reagan’s predecessor in Yokosuka and re-establishing ‘GW’ as America’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier,” Newkirk added.
Before arriving in San Diego, the George Washington Carrier Task Group completed a circumnavigation of South America as part of Southern Seas 2024. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group completed its final patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.
Capt. Tim Waits, commanding officer of the George Washington, put a finer point on the strategic importance of the hull swap: that it maintains American presence and positions the United States to continue meeting common goals in the region. “This nuclear aircraft carrier was a huge part of the foundation of trust between the U.S. and Japan, and that trust is the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” said Waits.
In all, the embarked Air Wing and Staff will cross deck to USS George Washington, bringing extensive operational experience forward. The embarked Air Wing and Destroyer Squadron 15 consist of Carrier Air Wing 5 and DESRON 15. About 350 sailors, 13 percent of the USS Ronald Reagan crew, will swap out with their counterparts from USS George Washington, ensuring that there is some continuity in expertise in Indo-Pacific waters.
This movement underlines, from a strategic point of view, not only the operational readiness of the U.S. Navy but also continues to build on longstanding alliances and partnerships in the region, signaling the steadfast commitment of the United States to maintaining stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.