The USS George Washington (CVN 73) has arrived back in Japan, another milestone for the U.S. naval presence in the Indo-Pacific. For almost a decade, the forward-deployed carrier position at Yokosuka was occupied by the USS Ronald Reagan. Now, with the upgrades finalized and with a new sense of purpose, the George Washington assumes its rightful place—modernized, reborn, and ready to continue its close relationship with Japan.
The swap was much more complicated than just exchanging ships. It took months of meticulous planning with the government of Japan and involved entire air wings, command personnel, and segments of the crew being transferred.
Almost 350 staff—about 13 percent of Ronald Reagan’s crew—transferred to the George Washington. They brought valuable experience with having worked in the region for so long, so there was no loss of missions when they did not have to lose hard-won expertise.
Before returning to Yokosuka, the George Washington received a record refueling and overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding. The work took six years and cost nearly $2.8 billion, restoring the carrier to its best condition for the latter part of its life cycle. From nuclear reactors to combat and avionics systems, everything got upgraded or replaced.
The refurbishment was not without obstacles. Workers were hit with pandemic delays and worldwide supply chain issues, but pushed through the barriers with innovation and cutting-edge technology to hit the deadline. The ship is now ready to introduce the Navy’s new aircraft generation to the fleet, including the F-35C Lightning II—more range, stealth, and firepower than ever before.
The carrier’s return is both of utilitarian value and symbolic significance. Aboard the ship on a tour, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III referred to the move as a strong demonstration of America’s commitment. “When America shows that it cares, it tends to send a United States Navy ship,” he said.
And when that message is even more astringent, he said, it has an entire carrier strike group in tow. The George Washington is accompanied by Carrier Air Wing 5 and Destroyer Squadron 15 as it stands ready to keep the seas open, build alliances, and stand ready to face whatever challenge may come.
Leadership facilitated the turnover. Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5 and Task Force 70 throughout the turnover, had high praise for both crews, saying the George Washington’s return “is a tangible and lasting reminder of our nation’s resolve to uphold peace, stability, and freedom in the region.”
Now under the command of Captain Timothy Waits, who has served on many tours of duty in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the ship enjoys stable leadership and a cooperative crew to meet the challenges of forward deployment.
The George Washington also has a venerable history with Japan. In 2008, it became the first nuclear carrier homeported there, another milestone in bilateral cooperation. It went on to take part in defense and humanitarian exercises, including the delivery of disaster relief as a response to the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Its eventual homecoming after years of overhauling and deployment elsewhere makes it reaffirms a relationship built on trust and mutual responsibility.
Now stationed in Yokosuka, the USS George Washington stands ready, with advanced systems, battle-hardened sailors, and a mission it already accomplished: assisting in keeping peace, stability, and freedom in one of the world’s most important maritime areas. Its path from overhaul to redeployment is as much a tribute to technological ability as it is to the commitment of the women and men who provide the ship with true strength.