Roosevelt Docks in Yokosuka for Keen Sword; Ford-Class Carrier Achieves First F-35C Landing

Key points

• USS Theodore Roosevelt arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, on October 16, 2026, as the first non-resident U.S. carrier to visit the port in over four years.
• The carrier will participate in the Keen Sword 27 joint exercise with Japan, scheduled for October 19-29, after a 19-day transit from San Diego.
• USS Abraham Lincoln returned to San Diego on October 8 after a 321-day deployment, setting a new record for consecutive days at sea without a port call.
• USS George H.W. Bush departed Phuket, Thailand, on October 9 and returned to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility in the Middle East.
• An F-35C Lightning II completed its first arrested landing on the Gerald R. Ford-class carrier USS John F. Kennedy on October 13, a milestone for the new ship class.

Background

The deployment of the USS Theodore Roosevelt to the Middle East follows a significant U.S. military buildup in the region in early October 2026, which included the deployment of a third carrier and additional ground forces to Israel and the area. This buildup occurred as the U.S. administration considered renewed strikes on Iran following midterm elections. The USS Abraham Lincoln's recent deployment was part of this broader operation, specifically during 'Operation Epic Fury' and subsequent blockades against Iran. The arrival of the USS Theodore Roosevelt in Yokosuka also follows the recent commissioning of Indonesia's first aircraft carrier, the KRI Sriwijaya, in September 2026, highlighting a broader trend of naval modernization in the Indo-Pacific region.

How outlets are covering it

The primary source, The War Zone (TWZ), emphasizes the operational details of the carrier deployments, including the disaggregated nature of Carrier Strike Group 9, the potential deployment of a medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV) Seahawk, and the record-breaking statistics of the USS Abraham Lincoln's deployment. TWZ also highlights the first F-35C landing on a Ford-class carrier as a major milestone. Stars and Stripes, the secondary source, focuses on the political and social implications of the USS Theodore Roosevelt's visit to Yokosuka, noting protests from local organizations concerned about the risks of hosting nuclear-powered warships and the potential for incidents involving visiting U.S. personnel. Stars and Stripes also mentions the recent arrest of a U.S. Marine on Okinawa, which has led to increased restrictions for U.S. military personnel there, though these restrictions do not apply to the visiting strike group at Yokosuka. The two sources agree on the core facts of the deployments but differ in their emphasis, with TWZ focusing on military operations and capabilities, and Stars and Stripes focusing on the political and social context of the deployments.

Why it matters

The deployments of the USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS George H.W. Bush to the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, respectively, signal a continued U.S. commitment to projecting power in both regions. The record-breaking deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln and the first F-35C landing on a Ford-class carrier highlight the evolving capabilities and operational tempo of the U.S. Navy. The political and social tensions surrounding the USS Theodore Roosevelt's visit to Yokosuka underscore the complex relationship between the U.S. and its allies in the region, particularly regarding the presence of nuclear-powered warships and the conduct of U.S. military personnel.

What to watch

The USS Theodore Roosevelt is expected to deploy to the Middle East after the Keen Sword 27 exercise, potentially relieving the USS George Washington. The USS George H.W. Bush will continue to operate in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility in the Middle East. The USS John F. Kennedy will continue its pre-commissioning testing and is expected to be delivered in spring 2027. The U.S. Navy will continue to integrate unmanned systems into its fleet operations, as indicated by the potential deployment of the MUSV Seahawk with Carrier Strike Group 9.