--- title: "Where Are The Aircraft Carriers: July 7, 2026" date: "2026-07-07" modified: "2026-07-07" 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-7-2026" categories: - "Carrier Tracker" - "Carriers" - "Sea" --- # Where Are The Aircraft Carriers: July 7, 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](). Amphibious assault ship USS *Boxer* finally arrived in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR), months after reports of a [surge deployment in March]() to reinforce troops in the Middle East during the war against Iran. *Boxer* deployed on March 18 and transited the Pacific westbound before entering the Indian Ocean in early May, but never crossed into the CENTCOM AOR. Rather than continue to the Middle East, the ARG disaggregated: *Boxer* [doubled back]() to Singapore and the South China Sea, where *Portland* was still operating, while *Comstock* moved on to CENTCOM. *Boxer* and *Portland* transited the Malacca Strait northbound in late June and have re-aggregated with *Comstock* in the AOR. ![]() *USS *Boxer* (LHD 4) and USS *Portland* (LPD 27) sail in formation while transiting the Indian Ocean. U.S. Central Command photo* The U.S. now has four big-deck warships on station in the Middle East - two aircraft carriers, USS *Abraham Lincoln* and USS *George H.W. Bush*, and two amphibious assault ships, USS *Tripoli* and USS *Boxer* - representing a step up in naval force posture while negotiations with Iran develop. In contrast, the U.S. appears to be drawing down its forward-deployed strategic bomber forces, with the last B-52 Stratofortress bombers [departing RAF Fairford last week](), according to plane spotters. ![]() *USS *Abraham Lincoln* (CVN 72) underway in the Middle East. U.S. Navy photo* USS *Nimitz*, on her [final transit](), arrived in New York City on July 3 and anchored off the coast of Stapleton, Staten Island, ahead of the [International Naval Review (INR) 250]() on July 4. *Nimitz* [sat at anchor]() in New York Harbor during INR 250, the pinnacle event of the Navy’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday and the largest international maritime event in U.S. history, which featured over 70 U.S. and allied naval vessels and tall ships. Before pulling into New York, *Nimitz* departed Mayport, Florida, last week and steamed up the east coast while [conducting ordnance offload](). The Boeing [MQ-25 Stingray demonstrator drone](), also known as the T-1, was on full display once again. ![]() *USS *Nimitz* (CVN 68) transits the Hudson River. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Xavier Alicea* USS *Dwight D. Eisenhower* moored in Norfolk on July 2 after a two-week work-up supporting Carrier Qualifications (CQ) and East Coast Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS). Student naval aviators were aboard and successfully completed CQ from June 27-30, according to a [release on DVIDS](). “The multi-day training evolution focused on developing the next generation of fleet aviators, specifically highlighting pilots navigating the E-2 Hawkeye pipeline.” *Eisenhower* is preparing to deploy in early 2027, *TWZ* [previously reported](). ![U.S. Navy Lt. Miguel Smith launches a T-45C Goshawk jet trainer aircraft off of the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), June 27, 2026. Eisenhower is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting carrier qualifications for student naval aviators assigned to Naval Air Training Command. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Miguel Santiago)]() *T-45C Goshawk jet trainer aircraft launches off of the flight deck of USS *Dwight D. Eisenhower* (CVN 69). U.S. Navy photo by Miguel Santiago Petty Officer 2nd Class Miguel Santiago* USS *Carl Vinson* returned to San Diego after completing flight deck certifications and CQ with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 from June 25 to July 1. The Navy [formally announced]() the completion of her nine-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA), which *TWZ* reported [last month](). “Our Sailors’ efforts were vital in preparing *Carl Vinson* to return to sea,” Cmdr. Paul Novess, *Carl Vinson’s* maintenance officer, said. “It was my honor to bring Sailors from all rates into our 13 production teams to safely execute more than 359,000 man hours of maintenance.” USS *Theodore Roosevelt* and amphibious assault ship USS *Essex* just wrapped up the in-port phase of [RIMPAC 2026]() at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Both ships, along with several other participating units, have been [hosting public events and open tours]() for the local community and visiting service members. The sea phase of the exercise is set to begin this week. *Roosevelt* was leaving Pearl Harbor, according to [public AIS data](), at the time of publication. ![]() *USS *Theodore Roosevelt* (CVN 71) docked at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Ryan A. LeCompte* After participating in the [live-fire SINKEX]() of USS *Juneau* last week, USS *George Washington* has continued operations in the Western Pacific. The flattop and embarked CVW-5 were recently spotted in the Philippine Sea conducting [flight operations](), live-fire shooting drills, [nighttime fast rope exercises](), small boat evolutions, and physical training on the flight deck. *Washington* is operating alongside guided-missile cruiser USS *Robert Smalls*, guided-missile destroyers USS *Shoup* and USS *Benfold*, and fast-attack submarine USS *Minnesota*. ![]() *A fast-rope exercise on the flight deck of USS *George Washington* (CVN 73) while underway in the Philippine Sea. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicolas Quezada* *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]()