The aircraft carrier USS George Washington entered the U.S. Central Command region this week, replacing the overworked USS Abraham Lincoln as the Pentagon maintains a naval blockade of Iranian ports. The swap leaves no American carrier in the western Pacific, a rare gap that underscores the strain on the Navy’s carrier force.
Extended deployments have pushed crews and ships beyond planned limits, with maintenance backlogs now cascading across the fleet. The Lincoln’s grueling 11-month deployment without liberty port calls drew criticism over crew welfare, while delays in the Ford-class program and extended refueling overhauls further reduce available assets. Four carriers are currently sidelined for maintenance, including the USS John C. Stennis, which has faced years-long delays in its mid-life refueling.
Admiral Samuel Paparo now lacks carrier coverage in the Pacific, where China and North Korea remain top concerns. The Navy is scrambling to reset schedules, but the Ford-class carrier John F. Kennedy won’t enter service until 2027, and the Lincoln’s return timeline is uncertain. Theodore Roosevelt is the most likely candidate to fill the Pacific gap soon.
