Image source: topwar.ru
Consider the most famous and discussed aircraft carriers of the US Navy.
The Dwight D. Eisenhower is one of the most famous aircraft carriers, which has been on operational deployment for 8 months. The timing of his return home has been repeatedly extended, and the technical condition of the ship and the morale of the crew leave much to be desired. The Naval command would like to bring him home, but this is being prevented by politicians and the Pentagon. Due to the deterioration of the situation around Israel, the return of the ship becomes unlikely. It is problematic to replace it in the area of the eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea. The ship itself is not in the best technical condition.
According to the plans of the command, it should be replaced by the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy, which should have already been in service. However, the Kennedy is not expected to enter service until next year, if nothing happens. Therefore, the Eisenhower was extended its service life until 2026, of which it will spend a year in repair. The question of when and where it will be repaired remains open.
The second aircraft carrier, with which everything is more clear, is the Nimitz. It is currently undergoing scheduled preventive maintenance, which will last about six months. After the repair, it will most likely be written off. The write-off was supposed to happen last year, but Congress did not allow it. Judging by the latest photos, the repair is either being carried out "very badly" or is not being carried out at all. The ship is simply kept in "hot standby" in case of unforeseen situations.
As of June 21, 2024, Nimitz left Bremerton, but where and why is still unknown.
The Theodore Roosevelt was transferred to the Indo-Pacific Command in January this year and is now in the South China Sea. It can be assumed that he will stay there for quite a long time, as the situation there is gradually heating up.
The Ronald Reagan is currently on the island of Guam, after which it will leave for San Diego, and then for repairs. The ship has been on an advanced deployment in Yokosuka for seven years. Its technical condition is not very good, and the repair facilities of the Kitsap Naval Base will allow for an average repair. However, it needs serious repairs, and "John K." is currently in major repair. Stennis." The repair of the Reagan and Eisenhower is still unclear.
The delay in the repair of the Stennis occurred due to the fact that the George Bush had been under repair for six years, much longer than expected. Officials claim that this was due to problems with the workforce and COVID-19, but there may be other reasons.
The Harry Truman is currently off the east coast of the United States and is undergoing a pre-deployment phase. It is expected to be ready by October-November.
The Carl Vinson is in San Diego and is preparing to participate in the RIMPAC multinational military exercises. At the end of the year, it will be deployed as part of the Pacific Command.
The Abraham Lincoln is off the West Coast and has completed a training course. It is expected that in July it will become part of the Indo-Pacific Command and will be able to replace the Eisenhower in the Red Sea.
The George Bush is located at the Newport News shipyard, has been removed from the dry dock and is currently undergoing recharging of the reactor core. The timing of the return to service is not called.
The Gerald Ford has returned from an operational deployment in the Mediterranean and is undergoing maintenance, which will last about a year. This is a lot for a new ship, perhaps there are some design problems that were not solved before entering service.
"John F. Kennedy" is expected to enter service next year, unless there are any "force majeure".
Financing for the laying of the third Gerald Ford aircraft carrier has been postponed from 2028 to 2030.
In general, the situation is not critical, but it does not inspire optimism either.
