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The USS Theodore Roosevelt arrives at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on October 16, 2026. The Roosevelt departed the base on Tuesday after a few days’ shore leave for her crew. (US Navy/Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Hannah Fry)
The USS Theodore Roosevelt Hasn’t Arrived in the Middle East Yet. Here’s Why. October 21, 2026 By: Peter Suciu
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The San Diego-based aircraft carrier unexpectedly stopped in Japan last week—possibly because the Navy expects its crew will not get any more shore leave for a while.
It has been more than three weeks since the United States Navy’s Nimitz-class supercarrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), departed from Naval Base San Diego, California. At the time, it was reported the warship was heading to the Middle East, where two other aircraft carriers are still operating: the Virginia-based USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), the 10th and final Nimitz-class flattop, and the US Navy’s only forward-deployed supercarrier, the Yokosuka, Japan-based USS George Washington (CVN-73). The latter nuclear-powered aircraft carrier had been operating in the South China Sea when it was dispatched to the Arabian Sea to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) this past summer.
The unexpected deployment of CVN-73 has left the United States Navy without a permanent carrier presence in the Western Pacific—a fact that may explain why CVN-71 is taking such a leisurely trip through the region.
Why Did the Theodore Roosevelt Have a Layover in Japan?
Instead of heading directly to the Arabian Sea to relieve the USS George Washington, CVN-71 headed to Japan, arriving there last Friday. The flagship of Carrier Strike Group 9 (CSG-9) was joined by the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG-65) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG-73), the US Navy confirmed.
It is unusual for a non-forward-deployed US Navy carrier to visit Japan, and such port calls happen only rarely. The arrival of the USS Theodore Roosevelt marked the first time that a “non-resident” carrier port call was made in the Land of the Rising Sun in more than four years. When they do happen, it is typically for logistics, maintenance, or crew rest. Given that CVN-71 only departed from San Diego last month, it is hard to imagine that the stop was for any of these reasons.
The US Navy avoided specifics on the stop, merely noting that the port visit gave the crew “an opportunity to conduct routine maintenance and resupply, while preparing the strike group to participate in a premier joint-bilateral field training exercise.” It said that during the visit to Yokosuka, the headquarters of the US 7th Fleet, the command staff of CSG-9 had been able to engage with their counterparts from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and prepare for the Keen Sword 2027 biennial multilateral military exercise led by Japan and the United States. The 11-day-long exercise officially began on Monday and will run through next week.
In the past, a forward-deployed US Navy carrier has usually led these exercises—notably the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) in 2022 and the USS George Washington in 2024. With CVN-73 now in the Middle East, it was unavailable for that purpose. Rather than redirecting the carrier from a war zone, the US Navy seems to have relegated the mission to the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
The JMSDF shared a video of the Theodore Roosevelt departing from Yokosuka Naval Base on Tuesday, once again on its way to the Middle East.
Navy Sailors Got Shore Leave Early in the Deployment
There could be another factor at play for the port call to Japan, which wasn’t entirely necessary in advance of Keen Sword 27—namely that the US Navy expects that CVN-71 could remain in the Arabian Sea for a considerable time, and hopes to give its sailors their final port visit for a while.
“Our crew is honored to visit Yokosuka and experience the rich culture and hospitality of Japan,” said Capt. Will Mathis, commanding officer of the USS Theodore Roosevelt. “Port visits like this are vital for crew morale and mission readiness, allowing our Sailors to rest, recharge, and prepare to operate seamlessly alongside our allies during exercise Keen Sword.”
The US Navy hasn’t confirmed when the USS Theodore Roosevelt will arrive in US Central Command’s (CENTCOM’s) area of responsibility, but it is expected to be on station in the Arabian Sea by the end of November. That could allow the USS George Washington to complete its 2026 patrol and possibly be back in Yokosuka by Christmas. Of course, President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth may have other plans; Trump has announced that he would not strike Iran again prior to the 2026 midterm elections in the United States, but left open the possibility he would do it again afterwards.
Depending on how intense the mission becomes, the US Navy may need to keep three carriers on station—even as the Norfolk-based USS George H.W. Bush has been deployed to the Middle East since late March, and will likely be the next ship to return home.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. He has contributed to dozens of newspapers, magazines, and websites over a 30-year career in journalism, including Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author at Editor@nationalinterest.org.
The post The USS Theodore Roosevelt Hasn’t Arrived in the Middle East Yet. Here’s Why. appeared first on The National Interest.
Источник: nationalinterest.org