Military


Where Were the Carriers? 02 February 2017

  • Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group departed San Diego for a regularly scheduled deployment to the western Pacific, 05 January 2017.
  • During the first week of January 2017, there were no American aircraft carriers deployed at sea anywhere in the world.
  • According to Fox News, this the first time since World War II that there has not been a single US carrier deployed anywhere in the world.




    • "When word of a crisis breaks out in Washington, it's no accident that
    the first question that comes to everyone's lips is:
    'Where's the nearest carrier?    '"

    President Bill Clinton
    March 12, 1993
    aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt


    Carrier Strike Groups
    Carrier Task Force
    Amphibious Ready Groups

    Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP)
    FRP - Fleet Response Plan
    IDTC - Inter-Deployment Training Cycle

    Where Were the Carriers - 18 Mar 2011

    References

    Status Color Code
    DEPLOYED Pre-Deployment Workup Post Deployment In Overhaul Building

    Fleet Response Plan [FRP] Progression
    CarrierDateEvolution
    Forward Deployed
    CVN-76 Reagan
    		[news] 01 Jan 2017
    15 Oct 2016
    02 Oct 2016
    16 Sep 2016
    26 Jul 2016
    05 Jun 2016
    early 2016
    30 Oct 2015
    Summer 2015
    20 Apr 2015
    07 Jan 2015
    6/26-8/01 2014
    02 Jun 2014
    midMar 2014
    18 Mar 2013
    18 Mar 2013
    21 Feb 2013
    10 Jan 2012
    06 Jan 2012
    21 Nov 2011
    10 Nov 2011
    06 Sep 2011
    06 Sep 2011
    16 Mar 2011
    13 Feb 2011
    15 Nov 2010     		Homeport at Yokosuka
    port call in Busan
    Philippine Sea
    Yokosuka for Mid-Patrol Break
    began 2016 patrol
    selective restricted availability (SRA)
    Arrives in Busan
    Reagan replaces Washington in Japan
    Completed 8-month Planned Incremental Availability
    Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) at Naval Base Coronado
    RIMPAC
    departed Santa Barbara
    Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA)
    departed Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
    Completed Planned Incremental Availability
    Undergoing a docking planned incremental availability
    arrived Bremerton, for 1 yr Planned Incremental Availability
    departed for Bremerton
    homeport San Diego
    3rd Fleet AOR
    operating in the 3rd Fleet area of operations
    port visit to Pearl Harbor
    relief efforts in Japan
    started 6-month WESTPAC
    completed a successful Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX)
    Deployed
  • Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group departed San Diego for a regularly scheduled deployment to the western Pacific, 05 January 2017.
  • During the first week of January 2017, there were no American aircraft carriers deployed at sea anywhere in the world.
  • According to Fox News, this the first time since World War II that there has not been a single US carrier deployed anywhere in the world.
  • USS George H.W. Bush, was held up in the shipyard, and is unlikely to depart for its next mission before the end of January 2017.
  • According to Fox News, this was the first time there has not been a US aircraft carrier in the Middle East since 2007.
    • CVN-70 Vinson
    		[news]
    		 05 Jan 2017
    21 Nov 2016
    29 Sep 2016
    01 May 2016
    04 Jun 2015
    22 Apr 2015
    17 Apr 2015
    31 Dec 2014
    15 Oct 2014
    07 Oct 2014
    22 Aug 2014
    13 Jun 2014
    03 Dec 2013
    18 Nov 2013
    21 May 2013
    02 Mar 2013
    01 Mar 2013
    18 Feb 2013
    11 Feb 2013
    03 Feb 2013
    03 Aug 2012
    26 Jun 2012
    15 May 2012
    14 Jan 2012
    09 Jan 2012
    31 Dec 2011
    29 Dec 2011
    30 Nov 2011
    09 Nov 2011
    Jul 2011
    01 May 2011
    25 Feb 2011
    17 Feb 2011
    01 Dec 2010
    12 Apr 2010     		Western Pacific deployment
    Completes COMPTUEX/JTFEX
    pierside in its homeport of San Diego
    finished three days of sea trials
    returned to San Daiego from WESTPAC
    hosted distinguished visitors from India and Sri Lanka
    departed the US 5th Fleet area of operations
    at sea WESTPAC / Arabian Gulf - Inherent Resolve support
    arrived 5th Fleet AOR
    completed a port visit to Singapore
    deployed from San Diego
    completed JTFEX - good to go
    Departs NAS North Island for carrier take-off and landing training
    Departs NAS North Island to conduct unit-level training
    completed Mid-Cycle Material Assessment (MCMA)
    Returned to San Diego
    Completes Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications
    Completes weapons onload
    Conducting carrier qualifications
    Completed 7-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA)
    Commenced 7-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA)
    Homeport, San Diego
    Pearl Harbor, returning from WESTPAC
    supporting Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)
    arrived Arabian Sea
    at sea for WESTPAC
    Hong Kong port visit
    deployed for WESTPAC
    at San Diego homeport
    at San Diego homeport
    Usama bin Laden burial at sea
    Arabian Sea maritime security operations
    Arabian Sea maritime security operations
    deployed WESTPAC
    arrived new homeport NAS North Island
    CVN-77 George H.W. Bush [news]
    		 21 Jan 2017
    early 2017
    21 Dec 2016
    03 Oct 2016
    29 Apr 2016
    07 Jan 2016
    02 Apr 2015
    14 Nov 2014
    15 Jun 2014
    14 Jun 2014
    15 Feb 2014
    20 Nov 2013
    23 Aug 2013
    19 Mar 2013
    01 Mar 2013
    06 Feb 2013
    01 Dec 2012
    24 Aug 2012
    11 Jun 2012
    10 Dec 2011
    25 Nov 2011
    10 Nov 2011
    02 Nov 2011
    14 Jul 2011
    14 Jun 2011
    09 Jun 2011
    16 May 2011
    11 May 2011
    23 Feb 2011     		deployment
    13-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) complete
    completed composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX)
    completed Tailored Ship's Training Availability/Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP)
    completed Board of Inspection and Survey INSURV Phase II
    6-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) period in Norfolk
    carrier qualification (CQ) operations
    returned to homeport, Norfolk, VA
    arrived Persian Gulf
    ordered to Persian Gulf
    departed Norfolk
    Begins COMPTUEX
    Completed Tailored Ship's Training Availability/Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP)
    at-sea testing Torpedo Countermeasure systems
    Completing training qualifications in port
    Sea trials, training, and carrier qualifications in Atlantic Ocean
    Completes 4-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA)
    started 4-month PIA
    Atlantic Ocean training
    Norfolk, end of deployment
    Marseille, France, liberty port
    5th Fleet AOR
    steel beach at sea
    departed Bahrain
    departed Naples
    entered Mediterranean
    entered 6th Fleet AOR
    departed Norfolk for maiden deployment
    COMPTUEX & JTFEX completed
    Surge Ready
    CVN-68 Nimitz [news] 09 Dec 2016
    11 Oct 2016
    01 May 2016
    14 Jan 2015
    07 Jan 2015
    21 May 2014
    03 Dec 2013
    08 Nov 2013
    26 Aug 2013
    09 Aug 2013
    31 Mar 2013
    07 Mar 2013
    Jan 2013
    12 Nov 2012
    17 Oct 2012
    16 Aug 2012
    14 Aug 2012
    03 Jul 2012
    14 Dec 2011
    17 Sep 2011
    		 completed Tailored Ship's Training Availability and Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP)
    successful six-day sea trials and completion of a 20-month PIA
    began crew move aboard
    arrived at Kitsap Bremerton for 16 mo large-scale maintenance period
    maintenance at Naval Base Everett
    homeport Naval Station Everett
    in port at Pearl Harbor
    Transits Suez Canal, departs 6th Fleet AOR, enters 5th Fleet AOR
    Relieved by Truman CSG as Commander, Task Force 50; in Arabian Sea
    arrived in Manama, Bahrain
    Departed Everett for Sustainment Training Exercise (SUSTEX)
    At Sea, Pacific Ocean
    Deploys WESTPAC [soon]
    Completed Joint Task Force Exercise
    Started 18-day Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX)
    At Sea
    At Sea, Pacific Ocean
    Pearl Harbor port call, RIMPAC 2012
    in port at Bremerton
    left Puget Sound NSY drydock
    Post-Deployment
    CVN-75 Truman
    		[news] 13 Jul 2016
    25 Jun 2016
    16 Jun 2016
    04 Jun 2016
    04 Jan 2016
    14 Dec 2015
    17 Apr 2015
    22 Dec 2014
    12 Jun 2014
    18 Apr 2014
    03 Apr 2014
    28 Mar 2014
    21 Mar 2014
    17 Nov 2013
    06 Oct 2013
    26 Aug 2013
    18 Aug 2013
    22 Jul 2013
    20 Mar 2013
    06 Feb 2013
    15 Jan 2013
    24 Oct 2012
    24 Oct 2012
    24 Sep 2012
    22 Aug 2012
    28 Jul 2012
    08 Jul 2012
    16 Dec 2011
    09 Nov 2011
    18 Feb 2011
    18 Feb 2011     		in port Norfolk
    departs Med for homeport
    bombed Daash, with AV-8B Harriers from USS Boxer in Arabian Gulf
    eastern Mediterranean Sea
    5th Fleet area of operations for Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR)
    transited the Suez Canal
    in port, Norfolk Naval Station
    in maintenance, Portsmouth VA
    in port Norfolk
    completed nine-month deployment
    Port visit at Palma, Spain
    Completes operations in U.S. 5th Fleet AOR
    Completes OEF support
    Port visit at Jebel Ali
    Gulf of Oman
    Relieved by Nimitz Carrier Strike Group as Commander, Task Force 50; begins supporting OEF
    Entered 5th Fleet AOR
    Departed Norfolk
    Completed X-47B UCAV deck handling tests
    Deployment to CENTCOM AOR delayed due to budget concerns
    Started Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX)
    completed Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA)
    successful Final Evaluation Problem (FEP)
    Departs Norfolk for combat systems ship qualification trials
    In port, Norfolk
    completed flight deck certification and carrier qualifications
    Completed 16-month docking planned incremental availability (DPIA)
    undergoing repairs at Norfolk NSY in Portsmouth, VA
    undergoing repairs at Norfolk NSY in Portsmouth, VA
    dry-docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) prep
    deployed
    CVN-74 Stennis
    		[news] 18 Dec 2016
    07 Dec 2016
    06 Oct 2016
    20 Sep 2016
    14 Aug 2016
    05 Jun 2016
    13 Mar 2016
    07 Mar 2016
    04 Mar 2016
    15 Jan 2016
    12 Dec 2014
    Sep 2014
    25 Apr 2014
    27 Jun 2013
    May 2013
    01 Apr 2013
    27 Mar 2013
    07 Mar 2013
    17 Oct 2012
    29 Sep 2012
    27 Aug 2012
    16 Jul 2012
    11 May 2012
    11 May 2012
    02 Mar 2012
    19 Jan 2012
    05 Jan 2012
    29 Dec 2011
    27 Dec 2011
    27 Nov 2011
    17 Oct 2011
    04 Aug 2011     		Bremerton - Home for the Hollidays
    Pearl Harbor
    Unit Level Training Assessment-Sustainment (ULTRA-S)
    completed a maintenance availability period, Bremerton
    returned home
    South China Sea
    arrived in Busan ROK for Exercise Key Resolve
    transited into the Philippine Sea through the Luzon Strait
    Great Green Fleet, South China Sea
    deploys for WESTPAC 16
    completed flight deck certification
    return to fleet ?
    Departs dry dock at PSNS & IMF
    started Docking Planned Incremental Availability [14-month ?]
    Returns to Bremerton
    Singapore port call
    Departs 5th Fleet AOR
    At Sea, 5th Fleet AOR
    relieves Enterprise
    At Sea, Pacific Ocean
    departed for 8 month [not 6] deployment
    will deploy 4 months early, to relieve Enterprise
    deploy again by year's end
    Bremerton homeport
    ended 7 month deployment
    entered 7th Fleet AOO
    North Arabian Sea
    transited Strait of Hormuz
    departed Persian Gulf
    5th Fleet AOR, Persian Gulf/Indian Ocean
    at sea, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom
    depart for deployment
    CVN-69 Eisenhower
    		[news]
    		 30 Dec 2016
    14 Oct 2016
    03 Mar 2016
    25 Feb 2016
    ?? 2014
    09 Dec 2014
    Sep 2013
    17 Aug 2013
    24 Mar 2013
    05 Mar 2013
    21 Feb 2013
    12 Dec 2012
    17 Oct 2012
    13 Aug 2012
    17 Jul 2012
    17 Jul 2012
    02 Jul 2012
    05 Jan 2012
    08 Oct 2011
    06 Jul 2011
    13 Jun 2011
    28 Feb 2011     		returned to Naval Station Norfolk
    deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve
    at sea, Atlantic Ocean
    Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) Material Inspections (MI)
    return to fleet
    DPIA extended to 23 months to accommodate growth and new work
    DPIA 14-month Docking Planned Incremental Availability
    Naval Station Norfolk
    Supporting Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)
    At Sea, Atlantic Ocean
    Deploys to support operations in 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility (AORs)
    Returns to homeport at Norfolk
    Supporting OEF, 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR)
    At Sea, 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO)
    Relieving Lincoln soon
    arrived 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO)
    Mediterranean
    not a peep of news since Navy Week
    Norfolk Navy Week 2011
    completes Flight Deck Certification
    completed nine-month Planned Incremental Availability
    PIA halfway review
    Maintenance
    CVN-71 Roosevelt
    		[news]
    		 early 2017
    16 Sep 2016
    27 May 2016
    13 Nov 2015
    19 Apr 2015
    06 Apr 2015
    08 Oct 2014
    08 Oct 2014
    16 Jul 2014
    26 Jun 2014
    21 May 2014
    24 Oct 2013
    22 Oct 2013
    12 Sep 2031
    29 Aug 2013
    19 Aug 2013
    Apr 2013
    21 May 2012
    27 Oct 2011
    28 Oct 2009
    		 completes PIA
    completed nearly 50% of scheduled PIA
    planned incremental availability [PIA]
    Departed 7th Fleet and Entered 3rd Fleet
    transited Strait of Hormuz to the Arabian Sea
    arrived U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO)
    Final Evaluation Problem (FEP)
    Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA)
    Ammo onload from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)
    Completes INSURV
    Combat System Ship Qualification Trial
    Atlantic Ocean
    Departs Naval Station Norfolk for carrier qualifications
    Returns to the Norfolk as a Ready for Tasking Carrier
    Begins flight operations certification
    started Fast Cruise tests
    completed 3-year Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH)
    crew move aboard (CMA)
    midpoint of 3-year Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH)
    started 4-year Refueling Complex Overhaul at Northrop Grumman, Newport News, VA
    CVN-72 Lincoln [news] 2017
    07 Sep 2016
    29 Feb 2016
    Dec 2012
    16 Nov 2012
    26 Oct 2012
    07 Aug 2012
    17 Jul 2012
    17 Jul 2012
    02 Jul 2012
    21 May 2012
    25 Jan 2012
    22 Jan 2012
    19 Jan 2012
    10 Jan 2012
    Dec 2011
    18 Oct 2011
    22 Feb 2011
    11 Feb 2011
    25 Sep 2010
    27 Nov 2010     		returns to the Fleet
    nearing the end of a mid-life overhaul
    Began Crew Move Aboard
    began 25-month RCOH at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA
    In port for RCOH preparations
    At sea, evading Hurricane Sandy at Norfolk
    arrived Naval Station Norfolk
    Relieved by Ike soon
    arrived Antalya, Turkey
    At Sea, Operation Enduring Freedom
    operating in 5th Fleet AOR
    operating in Persian Gulf
    transited Strait of Hormuz
    arrived 5th Fleet AOR for "routine deployment"
    departed Thailand
    changes homeport to Norfolk VA
    arrived Everett WA homeport
    Underway, South China Sea
    completed OEF support
    Entered 7th Fleet AOR
    Underway, 5th Fleet AOR
    CVN-73 Washington
    		[news] 2019 ??
    2017
    04 Oct 2016
    2016
    16 Nov 2015
    05 Nov 2015
    21 Oct 2015
    Summer 2015
    11 Nov 2014
    08 Aug 2014
    14 Jun 2014
    05 Dec 2013
    12 Nov 2013
    08-11 Nov 2013
    26-31 Oct 2013
    04-07 Oct 2013
    13 Sep 2013
    23 Aug 2013
    01 Apr 2013
    07 Mar 2013
    11 Oct 2012
    08 Oct 2012
    25 Sep 2012
    21 Sep 2012
    23 Aug 2012
    20 Aug 2012
    28 Jun 2012
    		 Return to Fleet
    refuelling and complex overhaul (RCOH)
    deploying from Norfolk, Hurrican Matthew relief
    refuelling and complex overhaul (RCOH) - DELAYED !!
    SOUTHCOM Ex Southern Seas 2015
    transited the Strait of Magellan
    UNITAS Pacific (PAC)
    Reagan replaces Washington in Japan
    at sea, off Okinawa
    Returns to Yokosuka after 3-month patrol of the 7th Fleet area of operations
    South China Sea
    in port at Yokosuka
    Directed to support Operation Damayan (Philippines relief efforts)
    in port at Hong Kong
    in port at Singapore
    in port at Busan, ROK
    departed from Fleet Activities Yokosuka
    in port at Yokosuka
    in port at Yokosuka
    in port at Yokosuka
    at sea, South China Sea
    Malaysia port call
    at sea, Pacific
    Guam port call
    at sea, 7th Fleet AOR
    departed from Fleet Activities Yokosuka
    Busan, ROK
    Building
    PCU-78 Gerald Ford news April 2017
    16 Jan 2007     		Commissions
    named
    PCU-79 John F. Kennedy 2017
    29 May 2011     		20% complete
    named



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