The carrier's departure from the Arabian Sea leaves the USS George Washington as the only US aircraft carrier in the Middle East. Several B-1B Lancer bombers have also departed RAF Fairford for the US as part of a drawdown from 15 aircraft present in March. The USS Theodore Roosevelt left San Diego on Sept. 27 and is currently between Hawaii and Guam, still weeks away from the region.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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USS George H.W. Bush Docks in Phuket for First Port Call Since March
War17 days ago
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier's crew of 4,800 reached Thailand on Oct. 4 to begin a rest and recreation tour after months of Middle East operations. The USS George H.W. Bush is making its first port call since departing from Norfolk in March, following a deployment enforcing a US maritime blockade of Iranian ports. CENTCOM forces redirected 125 commercial vessels to ensure compliance with that blockade as of Sept. 30.
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