USA Rotates Naval Forces in the Middle East

The United States Central Command announced on Thursday on the social network X that the aircraft carrier USS George Washington and its strike group have entered the CENTCOM area of responsibility and have begun operating in the Middle East. According to the announcement, the aircraft carrier is currently sailing in the Arabian Sea, having arrived in the theater yesterday.

In footage released by CENTCOM, American sailors are seen working on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier. The American command noted that the George Washington strike group is operating in the area as part of a planned deployment.

Its arrival in the Middle East comes after reports in recent days that it was sent from the Pacific Ocean to replace the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been in the region as part of a prolonged deployment. American officials confirmed the rotation, and President Donald Trump also said that the Lincoln is expected to be replaced by another aircraft carrier.

Abraham Lincoln has been on deployment since November 2025 and was moved to the Middle East in January. According to reports in the US, its prolonged stay in the region raised questions regarding the strain on the crew and the duration of the mission, while the George Washington is intended to facilitate its replacement as part of the force rotation and to maintain the significant air and maritime presence of the United States in the region.