US Carrier Gap Opens in Pacific as Iran Mission Stretches Navy
The USS George Washington is leaving the Pacific for the Middle East, creating a carrier gap as the Navy's Iran mission strains resources and crew.
The United States is set to have no aircraft carrier in the western Pacific for the first time in recent memory, as the USS George Washington departs for the Middle East to relieve the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln. The move highlights the strain that sustained operations against Iran are placing on the Navy's carrier fleet and its sailors.
The Lincoln, originally scheduled to return in May, has had its deployment extended to support strikes on Iranian targets. Reports of crew fatigue and supply shortages aboard the ship have drawn concern from lawmakers. The carrier has now spent over 240 days at sea without a break, a record for an uninterrupted deployment.
The absence of a carrier in the Pacific, even if temporary, is being closely watched by allies and adversaries. Analysts note that China is likely to use the gap to reinforce its narrative that the US is overextended and distracted. Beijing has recently conducted naval exercises with Indonesia and live-fire drills near Japanese and Philippine waters, signaling its growing confidence.
US officials are attempting to reassure regional partners. Admiral Frank Bradley, head of Special Operations Command, was in Manila this week to affirm Washington's commitment to joint exercises with the Philippines. He is also scheduled to visit Japan.
Defense experts point out that the carrier crunch stems from a lack of planning for a prolonged Iran conflict. The Navy operates 11 carriers but typically deploys only two or three at a time. With the USS Gerald R. Ford returning home after an 11-month deployment, and the USS Theodore Roosevelt potentially heading to the Middle East, the fleet is stretched thin.
Maintenance backlogs are also looming. With only two shipyards capable of servicing nuclear-powered carriers, a queue is expected to form, reducing carrier availability for years. Some analysts question the future utility of carriers altogether, noting their vulnerability to drones and missiles, and suggest that smaller ships and submarines may offer more flexible options.