Two US Carriers Stay in Middle East as Naval Blockade Enters Second Week

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Here’s TWZ’s weekly carrier tracker monitoring America’s flattop fleet, including deployed Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG), using publicly available open-source information. Check out last week’s report here .

While the American airstrike campaign may be on pause, the rebooted naval blockade remains in full effect, as the second week comes to a close. In an update posted Monday morning, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it has redirected 17 commercial vessels, disabled two kinetically, and boarded another two “to ensure compliance” since reinstating the blockade on July 14. Both carriers deployed to the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR), USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush , remain on station “to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East.”

An EA-18G Growler on the flight deck of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). U.S. Navy photo NAVCENT Public Affairs

In the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) AOR, USS George Washington transited the Luzon Strait westbound and entered the South China Sea on July 22, escorted by guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls and destroyers USS Benfold and USS Shoup . Washington’s repositioning comes on the heels of a serious incident last week between the Philippine Navy and China Coast Guard at Second Thomas Shoal, resulting in the medical evacuation of a Filipino Navy SEAL. “The melee marked the most severe incident between Beijing and Manila to date. It was the first time the two forces directly engaged each other beyond rammings, water cannon blasts and other coercive activities,” USNI News reported . A U.S. Coast Guard cutter was also on scene to provide support.

The U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Lee Lipton, acknowledged the arrival over the weekend, writing on X , “The USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group’s advanced capabilities, including the F-35, are upholding FREEDOM of Navigation and Overflight in the South China Sea. We challenge excessive maritime claims around the world.”

USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits the Luzon Strait, July 22, 2026. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anthony Vilardi Seaman Apprentice Anthony Vilardi

USS Theodore Roosevelt , also underway in the Pacific, led a massive group sail as part of the final stages of exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026. The ongoing RIMPAC 2026, which we have covered in previous reports , is set to wrap up at the end of the month. The group sail and photo exercise (PHOTOEX) took place on July 22 approximately 100 nautical miles northeast of Kauai, Hawaii, according to public AIS data , with more than 20 American and allied warships participating in the show of force.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) leads a group sail in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026. U.S. Navy photo Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet

Back stateside, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower departed Naval Station Norfolk on July 22 to conduct an ammunition onload with USNS Medgar Evers . MH-60S Seahawks, attached to the “Dragonslayers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11, were spotted transporting ammunition while operating in the Atlantic Ocean. The flattop returned to homeport today.

An MH-60S Seahawk transports ammunition aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Miguel Santiago Petty Officer 2nd Class Miguel Santiago

Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli returned to Sasebo, Japan, over the weekend, completing a more than six-month deployment to the CENTCOM and PACOM AORs. Tripoli stopped at White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa last week to disembark elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) before heading back to Sasebo. USS Boxer , flagship of the sole ARG now deployed in the Middle East (and around the globe), conducted a vertical replenishment with USNS Carl Brashear on July 20.

USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrives at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, after concluding a six-month deployment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Eadan Avramidis Lance Cpl. Eadan Avramidis

Overall, three U.S. carriers are deployed, three are training or in port in various states of readiness, four are in maintenance, and one is being used primarily for training. One amphibious ready group is deployed, five are training or in port, and three are in maintenance.

Note: Positions are general approximations. Non-deployed LHA/LHD amphibious warships are not shown.

Contact the author: ian.ellis-jones@teamrecurrent.io

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