--- title: "Where Are The Aircraft Carriers: July 13, 2026" date: "2026-07-13" modified: "2026-07-13" authors: - name: "Ian Ellis-Jones" job_title: "Head of Audience Development" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/ian-ellis-jones" url: "https://www.twz.com/sea/where-are-the-aircraft-carriers-july-13-2026" categories: - "Carrier Tracker" - "Carriers" - "Sea" --- # Where Are The Aircraft Carriers: July 13, 2026 ![TWZ’s weekly carrier tracker monitoring America’s flattop fleet, including deployed Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG)]() *IAN ELLIS-JONES/TWZ* Here’s *TWZ’s* weekly carrier tracker monitoring America’s flattop fleet, including deployed Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG), using publicly available open-source information. Check out last week’s report [here](). The U.S. blockade is [back on]() beginning tomorrow. "We are reinstating the Iranian blockade," President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social today after days of escalatory tit-for-tat exchanges between the U.S. and Iran while negotiations falter. Following the President's announcement, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) [released a statement]() with additional information, stating the blockade would begin on July 14 at 4:00pm eastern time. "CENTCOM forces will enforce the blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. The U.S. military continues to support traffic flow through regional waters for all vessels not violating the blockade." During the first blockade from April 13 to June 18, the Navy redirected more than 140 compliant commercial vessels and [kinetically disabled]() nine that were non-compliant. CENTCOM recently [confirmed]() that more than 20 U.S. Navy ships are operating in the Middle East. On June 30, the majority of that force, including USS *Abraham Lincoln*, USS *George H.W. Bush*, and USS *Tripoli*, were [pictured together]() in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) and massive show of force with 16 other ships in the northern Arabian Sea. Two flights of 14 aircraft each from Carrier Air Wings (CVW) 7 and 9 conducted a flyover. *Abraham Lincoln* passed the [200 consecutive days at sea]() mark on the same day. ![U.S. Navy warships transit the Arabian Sea in close formation as CENTCOM forces continue to promote regional security and stability, June 30, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)]() *U.S. Navy warships transit the Arabian Sea in close formation as CENTCOM forces continue to promote regional security and stability, June 30, 2026. U.S. Navy photo U.S. Central Command Public Affa* Thousands of miles away, the sea phase of the biennial exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 is underway. USS *Theodore Roosevelt*, amphibious assault ship USS *Essex*, and the other U.S. and international ships participating, steamed one by one out of Pearl Harbor last week. “The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans.” In the opening days, *Roosevelt* conducted [flight operations]() with embarked Super Hornets and Hawkeyes, carried out [general quarters]() drills, small boat operations, a [refueling-at-sea]() evolution with USNS *Guadalupe* south of Oahu, and embarked partner navies including the Philippines, South Korea, New Zealand, Poland, Germany, and more. During the large-scale exercise, which runs through the end of the month, the decommissioned *Ticonderoga* class cruiser ex-USS *Mobile Bay* and amphibious warship ex-USS *Peleliu* [will be sunk]() by U.S. and partner forces. ![U.S. Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) leaves Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, ahead of the sea phase of Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026, July 7, 2026. Thirty nations, over 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 206 aircraft and 30,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 24 to July 31. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2026 is the 30th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Royal Air Force Photo by Cpl. Tomas Barnard)]() *USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) leaves Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, ahead of the sea phase of Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026, July 7, 2026. Royal Air Force Photo by Cpl. Tomas Barnard OR-4 Tomas Barnard* Notably, medium displacement unmanned surface vehicle (MDUSV) *Sea Hunter* was [spotted]() leaving Pearl Harbor on July 7 (albeit with a manned crew). *Sea Hunter,* made by Leidos, is the sister ship of *Seahawk*, which [worked up]() with the *Roosevelt* CSG during COMPTUEX training in April. Both are actively training and it's possible one could deploy with the CSG, which would mark the first hybrid manned-unmanned CSG, but these are older test assets that were not initially built for long deployments. *Roosevelt* sits at the leading edge of the Navy’s [“tailored force pairing” concept](), which could include integrating naval drones into CSG operations, but the MDUSV selected to deploy with the group has not been announced. ![]() *U.S. Navy medium displacement unmanned surface vehicle Sea Hunter departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, to begin the sea phase of Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026, July 7, 2026. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kyle Carlstrom* The nearly 3,000 Sailors aboard USS *Nimitz* [arrived]() at Naval Station Norfolk on July 9, marking the completion of a four-month transit and [homeport shift](). *Nimitz* left Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Washington, in March and circumnavigated South America, participated in Southern Seas and embarked officials from multiple countries, sailed in Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) 250, and pulled into New York Harbor for the [International Naval Review 250]() and July 4 celebrations. “*Nimitz* will be permanently homeported in Naval Station Norfolk, training Naval Aviation’s next generation of warfighters, while standing ready to answer the Nation’s call as it has for the past 51 years.” *Nimitz*, back in Norfolk for the first time in nearly 40 years, was slated to be taken offline this year but her service life was extended before expected decommissioning in 2027. ![Sailors spell out “I \[Heart\] NY” on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) after the ship departed New York Harbor following its participation in International Naval Review 250, July 7, 2026. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 2nd Fleet area of responsibility as part of a scheduled homeport shift to Norfolk, Virginia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Alyssa Boling)]() *USS Nimitz (CVN 68) departs New York Harbor following participation in the International Naval Review 250. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Apprentice Alyssa Boling* USS *Gerald R. Ford*, which [returned home]() in May following a historic 11-month deployment, [entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY)]() in advance of her Planned Incremental Availability (PIA). This is *Ford’s* first scheduled availability at a public shipyard and comes after a twice-extended combat deployment. “A PIA is a scheduled period for an aircraft carrier to undergo extensive maintenance, repairs and modernization to meet future operational demands, spanning a wide array of overhauls and inspections. Additionally, a concurrent availability will be conducted to restore spaces damaged during a fire aboard the then-deployed carrier in March 2026.” *Ford’s* arrival at NNSY follows the early PIA completions for Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS *Dwight D. Eisenhower* in April 2026 and USS *George H.W. Bush* in November 2024, according to a statement by U.S. 2nd Fleet. ![Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Virginia welcomed USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) July 7 in advance of its Planned Incremental Availability (PIA). Following the carrier’s historic 326-day deployment, including operations in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Red Seas, this marks Gerald R. Ford’s first regularly scheduled availability at a public shipyard as well as the first time a Ford-class aircraft carrier has been serviced at NNSY.]() *Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Virginia welcomed USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) on July 7 in advance of its Planned Incremental Availability (PIA). U.S. Navy photo Shelby West* USS *George Washington*, America’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is [conducting flight operations]() in the Philippine Sea. *Washington* carried out a [replenishment-at-sea]() evolution with USNS *Earl Warren* while underway in the Western Pacific on July 9, and recently participated in exercise Valiant Shield, teaming up with Japan, New Zealand, and Australia to sink a decommissioned amphibious warship. The ex-USS *Juneau* [absorbed several hits]() from *Washington’s* air wing, including F-35Cs and F/A-18s, as well as long-range anti-ship missiles (LRASM) [fired by]() U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers, and air and sea-launched effects shot by allied forces. “George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet.” ![An F/A-18 Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27, takes off from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the Philippine Sea, July 11, 2026. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWACSG) is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premiere forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ana Souza Young)]() *An F/A-18 Super Hornet takes off from the flight deck of USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the Philippine Sea, July 11, 2026. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ana Souza Young* On the amphibious front, the *Boxer* ARG [arrived]() in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility (AOR) in early July. “*Boxer* is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East,” according to U.S. 5th Fleet. USS *Tripoli*, which has been the sole ARG in CENTCOM since March, participated in the PHOTOEX with the two carriers and has since moved farther east in the Indian Ocean, [crossing into]() the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) AOR. *Boxer* may have relieved *Tripoli*, which has been there for more than four months, or *Tripoli* could be heading for a port call, emergent repairs, or, potentially, back home. *Tripoli’s* latest position via AIS and satellite imagery is unknown. Three additional amphibious assault ships have been operating and training around the United States: USS *Kearsarge*, USS *Makin Island*, and USS *Essex*. Two-thirds of the *Iwo Jima* ARG (less the flagship USS *Iwo Jima*), amphibious transport dock ships USS *Fort Lauderdale* and USS *San Antonio*, are back in the Caribbean and were recently [docked pierside]() in La Guaira, Venezuela, to [support]() the earthquake [relief mission](). ![The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17), left, and the USS San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), right, both ported during a cross-decking movement in La Guaira, Venezuela, July 9-10, 2026. At the direction of U.S. Southern Command, assigned U.S. military forces are supporting Department of State-led U.S. disaster assistance to the people of Venezuela in the aftermath of the June 24, 2026, earthquakes. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)]() *San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks USS San Antonio (LPD 17), left, and USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), right, both ported during a cross-decking movement in La Guaira, Venezuela, July 9-10, 2026. U.S. Marine Corps photo Cpl. Daniel Garcia* Overall, three U.S. carriers are deployed, three are training or in port in various states of readiness, four are in maintenance, and one is being used primarily for training. Two amphibious ready groups are deployed, four are working up or in port, and three are getting wrenched on. *Note: Positions are general approximations.* *Non-deployed LHA/LHD amphibious warships are not shown.* Contact the author: *ian.ellis-jones@teamrecurrent.io* ## Author Ian is the Head of Audience Development at *TWZ*. He executes our full-spectrum social media strategy, is the master of ceremonies for the incredible comments section, and brings his interpretive graphics skills to our editorial team as an OSINT analyst and researcher. Ian [joined]() *TWZ* in early 2026 and maintains our weekly [carrier tracker]() and [newsletter](). ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Bluesky]()