The U.S. Navy Is 'Swapping' Aircraft Carriers in China's Backyard

Summary and Key Points: The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and USS George Washington (CVN-73) are undergoing a "hull swap" at Naval Air Station North Island, with the George Washington returning to Yokosuka, Japan, as the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed carrier effective August 1.

-This transition, involving personnel and equipment transfers, follows Ronald Reagan's nearly decade-long service in the Indo-Pacific.

-After the swap, the Ronald Reagan will go to Bremerton, Washington, for maintenance.

-The George Washington previously served as the Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Japan carrier and recently completed an extended Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia.

Aircraft Carrier USS Ronald Reagan to Undergo Maintenance After Nine Years in Indo-Pacific

Two of the United States Navy's Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarriers have spent this week not at sea, but rather have been dealing with a delicate dance that is a "hull swap," which is being conducted at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. It involves the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and her sister ship USS George Washington (CVN-73) as the two 1,092-foot-long warships mark the changeover of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed carrier.

When completed, CVN-73 will return to Yokosuka, Japan, as the sea service's only Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Japan (FDNF-J) aircraft carrier, which is effective August 1. The two crews are working to make the transition go as smoothly as possible. USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) has been the forward-deployed carrier since 2015, and following the hull swap will head to Bremerton, Washington, for maintenance before beginning her next deployment.

"For the last nine years, Ronald Reagan Sailors upheld the international rule of law and maintained a free and open Indo-Pacific alongside our allies and partners through their diligence and dedication towards our common goals," said Capt. Daryle Cardone, USS Ronald Reagan 's commanding officer. "Their commitment has left a mark on the 7th Fleet area of responsibility and the impact we made will be continued as George Washington makes their way to Yokosuka, Japan. I know 7th Fleet is in good hands and as Ronald Reagan left behind a legacy of 'peace through strength,' George Washington will embody the 'spirit of freedom' in the Indo-Pacific once again."

While serving as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed carrier, CVN-76, she conducted numerous patrols in the Indo-Pacific, and made port-of-call visits to South Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam. The nuclear-powered flattop was also deployed to the Middle East to support the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. 

"USS Ronald Reagan has served exceptionally as America's forward deployed aircraft carrier for nearly a decade, projecting credible combat power while sailing and flying where international law allows and doing so with allies and partners throughout the Indo-Pacific," said Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk, commander of Task Force 70 and Carrier Strike Group 5. "Reagan's crew and those who have served aboard over the past several years should be tremendously proud of what they accomplished."

This hull swap will be a complex affair, as it involves moving personnel, equipment, and even classified materials between the two ships. However, the previous carrier swap that was finished in January 2016 involved both CVN-73 and CVN-76 – which saw the latter return from Japan – as well as USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), which made San Diego her new homeport.

George Washington Will be Big in Japan

This will also be the second time that USS George Washington will serve as the U.S. Navy's FDNF-J aircraft carrier.

"In 2008, George Washington became the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier to serve as FDNF-J and was relieved by Ronald Reagan seven years later after a historic tri-carrier hull swap," the U.S. Navy reported.

The return to Japan also comes as the United States Navy likely wants to move past its lengthy and troubled Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. Originally scheduled to last four years, the overhaul lasted nearly six years and took a heavy toll on its crew.

Even as the aircraft carrier was essentially a worksite for much of the 2,117 days, sailors largely continued to live on the vessel. Nine sailors assigned to the carrier died by suicide, which prompted a quality of life investigation.

The U.S. Navy found that the sailors faced poor living conditions and limited access to mental healthcare. As a result, the sea service has looked to address the issue with subsequent Nimitz class RCOHs. That will include expanding the rotating pool of parts as well as addressing the long lead time for materials. New technologies, notably 3D scanning, are being implemented to streamline various processes, including inspections as the work is completed.

With the RCOH now completed, the warship will soon be back to doing what it was built – and then rebuilt – to do, namely head out to the high seas.

"Having the George Washington back in Yokosuka is a new and exciting adventure for the crew, but it more importantly ensures the United States remains best positioned to meet common goals in the region," explained Capt. Tim Waits, USS George Washington's commanding officer. "This nuclear aircraft carrier was a huge part of the foundation of trust between the U.S. and Japan, and that trust is the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific."

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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