BY DANIEL M. PEREZ
Journal Staff
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington arrived at U.S. Naval Base Guam on Tuesday, June 16, for its first port call of 2026, marking a key stop in its current Indo-Pacific patrol.
The vessel departed its forward-deployed homeport of Yokosuka, Japan, on May 30 for its spring deployment, subsequently linking up with Carrier Air Wing Five at sea. The scheduled port visit, running from June 16 to June 20, brings approximately 5,000 sailors to the island to conduct routine logistics replenishment, crew rest, and community service projects.
Rear Adm. Eric J. Anduze, commander of Carrier Strike Group Five and Task Force 70, emphasized the strategic importance of the island to national defense frameworks. During a press availability following the arrival, Anduze noted that the military remains focused on its responsibility to protect the 170,000 U.S. citizens who inhabit Guam.
The carrier's presence in the region comes at a prominent time, as a People's Liberation Army Navy aircraft carrier and accompanying destroyers have recently been tracked operating in the area.
The strike group's deployment includes the cruiser USS Robert Smalls, the destroyer USS Shoup, and the destroyer USS Benfold, operating in tandem with the Seventh Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge, which also departed Yokosuka for the spring patrol.
The current deployment highlights international maritime cooperation, as the strike group is operating alongside two vessels from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. The Japanese ships, JS Kaga and JS Fuyuzuki, are integrated into the operations to demonstrate the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance and maintain regional stability, peace, and deterrence across the Indo-Pacific.
Capt. Nicholas C. DeLeo, commanding officer of the USS George Washington, stated that the crew recently executed the safe onboarding of Carrier Air Wing Five to begin its 2026 patrol. DeLeo, who assumed command of the carrier in March, explained that pulling into port allows the vessel to refresh its critical command, control, and logistical capabilities.
Following its stay in Guam, the carrier is scheduled to potentially visit the ports of other allied nations in Asia.
Command leadership highlighted the vital role the island plays in overall fleet readiness and morale. “These sailors have been working very hard, and I'm excited they have the opportunity to recharge here in Guam before we return to sea, ready to support our mission here in the Indo-Pacific,” DeLeo said, describing Guam as a critical nexus for the Navy's carrier strike groups.
Anduze echoed these sentiments, noting that the strike group departed Japan ready for any contingency and fully integrated with its partners. “Guam plays a central role in the Indo-Pacific, and we are proud to continue operating from this extension of our homeland,” Anduze said.
According to Journal files, this visit marks a return to the island for the George Washington, which last visited Guam on December 1, 2025.
Addressing meteorological forecasts that indicate a strong El Niño year, DeLeo confirmed that the carrier group maintains full readiness to support regional humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. The commanding officer noted that the ship retains a flexible catalog of options to assist partner nations and respond effectively to severe weather crises or emergencies.
The port visit serves as a homecoming for multiple crew members native to the local communities. Local sailors deployed with the strike group include Hospitalman Trisha Mari of Yigo, who works within the dental division of the medical department, and Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Marc Joshua Velasco, originally from the village of Tamuning. mbj
Journal Staff
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington arrived at U.S. Naval Base Guam on Tuesday, June 16, for its first port call of 2026, marking a key stop in its current Indo-Pacific patrol.
The vessel departed its forward-deployed homeport of Yokosuka, Japan, on May 30 for its spring deployment, subsequently linking up with Carrier Air Wing Five at sea. The scheduled port visit, running from June 16 to June 20, brings approximately 5,000 sailors to the island to conduct routine logistics replenishment, crew rest, and community service projects.
Rear Adm. Eric J. Anduze, commander of Carrier Strike Group Five and Task Force 70, emphasized the strategic importance of the island to national defense frameworks. During a press availability following the arrival, Anduze noted that the military remains focused on its responsibility to protect the 170,000 U.S. citizens who inhabit Guam.
The carrier's presence in the region comes at a prominent time, as a People's Liberation Army Navy aircraft carrier and accompanying destroyers have recently been tracked operating in the area.
The strike group's deployment includes the cruiser USS Robert Smalls, the destroyer USS Shoup, and the destroyer USS Benfold, operating in tandem with the Seventh Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge, which also departed Yokosuka for the spring patrol.
The current deployment highlights international maritime cooperation, as the strike group is operating alongside two vessels from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. The Japanese ships, JS Kaga and JS Fuyuzuki, are integrated into the operations to demonstrate the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance and maintain regional stability, peace, and deterrence across the Indo-Pacific.
Capt. Nicholas C. DeLeo, commanding officer of the USS George Washington, stated that the crew recently executed the safe onboarding of Carrier Air Wing Five to begin its 2026 patrol. DeLeo, who assumed command of the carrier in March, explained that pulling into port allows the vessel to refresh its critical command, control, and logistical capabilities.
Following its stay in Guam, the carrier is scheduled to potentially visit the ports of other allied nations in Asia.
Command leadership highlighted the vital role the island plays in overall fleet readiness and morale. “These sailors have been working very hard, and I'm excited they have the opportunity to recharge here in Guam before we return to sea, ready to support our mission here in the Indo-Pacific,” DeLeo said, describing Guam as a critical nexus for the Navy's carrier strike groups.
Anduze echoed these sentiments, noting that the strike group departed Japan ready for any contingency and fully integrated with its partners. “Guam plays a central role in the Indo-Pacific, and we are proud to continue operating from this extension of our homeland,” Anduze said.
According to Journal files, this visit marks a return to the island for the George Washington, which last visited Guam on December 1, 2025.
Addressing meteorological forecasts that indicate a strong El Niño year, DeLeo confirmed that the carrier group maintains full readiness to support regional humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. The commanding officer noted that the ship retains a flexible catalog of options to assist partner nations and respond effectively to severe weather crises or emergencies.
The port visit serves as a homecoming for multiple crew members native to the local communities. Local sailors deployed with the strike group include Hospitalman Trisha Mari of Yigo, who works within the dental division of the medical department, and Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Marc Joshua Velasco, originally from the village of Tamuning. mbj
