--- title: "Where Are The Carriers As Of May 11, 2026: 20 Warships Enforce Iran Blockade" date: "2026-05-11" modified: "2026-05-11" 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-carriers-as-of-may-11-2026-20-warships-including-two-carriers-enforce-iran-blockade" categories: - "Carrier Tracker" - "Carriers" - "Sea" --- # Where Are The Carriers As Of May 11, 2026: 20 Warships Enforce Iran Blockade ![]() *IAN ELLIS-JONES/TWZ* Here’s *TWZ’s* weekly carrier tracker monitoring America’s flattop fleet, including deployed Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARGs), using publicly available open-source information. Check out last week’s map [here](). More than 20 U.S. Navy warships, two carrier strike groups among them, are enforcing the blockade of Iran in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR). To date, CENTCOM has redirected 61 commercial vessels linked to Iran and [disabled at least four attempting to run]() the blockade. https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2053486893120000274?s=20 The Navy released new images last week of both CSGs supporting the blockade. The USS *George H.W. Bush* was conducting [flight operations]() in the Arabian Sea on May 6, and recently spotted with 25 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, two E-2D Hawkeyes, and three MH-60 Seahawks of Carrier Air Wing 7 visible on the flight deck. Unlike the *Abraham Lincoln* CSG, also [operating in the AOR](), *George H.W. Bush* is not equipped with 5th-generation carrier-based F-35Cs. [![Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) sails in the Arabian Sea, May 3, 2026. George H.W. Bush is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo)]()]() **Nimitz*-class aircraft carrier USS *George H.W. Bush* (CVN 77) sails in the Arabian Sea, May 3, 2026. George H.W. Bush is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo) U.S. Central Command Public Affa* The *Gerald R. Ford* CSG transited the Strait of Gibraltar westbound and is steaming toward Norfolk. The strike group has been deployed for 322 days, as of May 11, and is expected to return home in the coming weeks. The CSG departed Norfolk in June 2025 and was initially supposed to return in January, but its deployment was extended twice to support combat operations in the Caribbean and the Middle East. https://twitter.com/WarshipCam/status/2051982390617153940?s=20 Three carriers are now underway training in preparation for future deployments. The *Dwight D. Eisenhower* CSG, which recently [completed a 15-month availability](), is working up off the east coast with [AIS turned on](). The *George Washington* CSG got underway on May 10, [according to ship spotters](), leaving port in Yokosuka, Japan, escorted by guided-missile cruiser USS *Robert Smalls*. The *Theodore Roosevelt* CSG is [“conducting advanced training to bolster strike group readiness and capability]()” in the Pacific Ocean. ![PACIFIC OCEAN (May 4, 2026) –The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) conducts flight operations, May 4, 2026. Theodore Roosevelt, flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operation conducting advanced training to bolster strike group readiness and capability. An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aaron Haro Gonzalez)]() *PACIFIC OCEAN (May 4, 2026) –The *Nimitz*-class aircraft carrier USS *Theodore Roosevelt* (CVN 71) conducts flight operations, May 4, 2026. *Theodore Roosevelt*, flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operation conducting advanced training to bolster strike group readiness and capability. An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aaron Haro Gonzalez) Seaman Aaron Haro Gonzalez* USS *Nimitz* is anchored off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for a five-day liberty port call. *Nimitz* is circumnavigating South America en route to her new homeport in Norfolk. Originally slated to be decommissioned this year, her service life was [recently extended into 2027](). https://twitter.com/WarshipCam/status/2052410226414899529?s=20 Another Marine Air-Ground Task Force is set to arrive in CENTCOM in the near-term. While the *Boxer* ARG has not been confirmed in CENTCOM as of publication, an arrival announcement could come as soon as this week. The [11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)]() is comprised of a command element, a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, an Aviation Combat Element with two squadrons, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced) and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, and a logistics combat element. The [approximately 5,000 Marines and Sailors]() aboard *Boxer* ARG will join the *Tripoli* ARG, already on station in the Middle East, and significantly enhance the United States' expeditionary capabilities in the region. ![U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, land during flight operations aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, May 2, 2026. The 11th MEU, embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is a persistent, combat credible force contributing to deterrence and crisis response in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Trent A. Henry)]() *U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, land during flight operations aboard *Wasp*-class amphibious assault ship USS *Boxer* (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, May 2, 2026. The 11th MEU, embarked aboard the *Boxer* Amphibious Ready Group, is a persistent, combat credible force contributing to deterrence and crisis response in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Trent A. Henry) Sgt. Trent A. Henry* *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]()