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Where Are The Carriers As Of May 26, 2026: Nimitz Arrives In The Caribbean

Meanwhile, USS George Washington departed Yokosuka, Japan, amid heightened Chinese naval activity in the Western Pacific. The post Where Are The Carriers As Of May 26, 2026: Nimitz Arrives In The Caribbean appeared first on The War Zone.

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Where Are The Carriers As Of May 26, 2026: Nimitz Arrives In The Caribbean

Where are the aircraft carriers?

ellis.jones.ian@gmail.com

The TWZ Newsletter

Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.

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 map here.

The U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in full effect and, despite the shaky ceasefire amid ongoing, but uncertain, negotiations, the Navy’s force posture remains unchanged. Enforced by two CSGs and one ARG, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces have redirected over 100 commercial vessels, disabled four using force, and allowed more than 25 carrying humanitarian aid to pass through.

The Boxer ARG, still operating under U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), doubled back from the Indian Ocean to the Malacca Strait and pulled into Singapore on May 19. The purpose of the port call is unknown, but, as of publication, Planet satellite imagery reviewed by TWZ shows Boxer moored at Sembawang Terminal for the past week. Previous reports indicated the ARG was headed to CENTCOM; however, the group does not appear to be in a hurry.

USS Boxer (LHD 4) Wasp-class amphibious assault ship coming into Singapore – May 19, 2026 SRC: FB- Military Aviation Photography Singapore pic.twitter.com/lzK3NfY9CB

— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) May 19, 2026

Also operating in INDOPACOM, forward-deployed USS George Washington departed Yokosuka, Japan, on May 23. While the composition of the CSG is unconfirmed, destroyer USS Shoup and cruiser USS Robert Smalls also got underway, according to public AIS data, and will likely escort the carrier during her upcoming Western Pacific patrol. A George Washington spokesperson recently told us the CSG was “underway conducting routine operations to sharpen our Sailors’ warfighting edge.” The underway coincides with a recent surge of Chinese naval activity in the region.

An F/A-18E 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, May 25, 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 Lillian Olen)
USS George Washington Conducts Flight Operations Petty Officer 2nd Class Lillian Olen
An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VAQ) 141, lands on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the Philippines Sea, May 25, 2026. 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 region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kiah Nesbitt)
Super Hornet attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VAQ) 141 lands on CVN-73 Seaman Apprentice Kiah Nesbitt

USS Nimitz arrived in the Caribbean Sea as a flurry of USAF surveillance flights around Cuba has driven speculation about potential future military operations. Officially, Nimitz is participating in exercise Southern Seas and “scheduled to conduct passing exercises and operations at sea with partner nation maritime forces as the ships circumnavigate the continent of South America.” The CSG did not embark a full nine squadron carrier air wing and, with only one destroyer escort, the ODIN-equipped USS Gridley, is not the combat-capable force we’d expect if major combat ops were imminent.

Welcome to the Caribbean, Nimitz Carrier Strike Group!

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the embarked Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17), USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) are the epitome of readiness and presence, unmatched reach and lethality, and strategic… pic.twitter.com/83mfzSIKzd

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) May 20, 2026

The Iwo Jima ARG is also on station in the Caribbean and facilitated the transport of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan to Caracas, Venezuela, via MV-22B Ospreys over the weekend. During his second official visit to the country following Operation Absolute Resolve, the general “took part in bilateral discussions with senior interim government leaders, met with U.S. Embassy leadership and staff, and observed the joint force conduct a military response exercise.”

Contact the author: ian.ellis-jones@teamrecurrent.io

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