USNI News polled its writers, naval analysts and service members on what they consider the most important military and maritime stories in 2018. This story is part of USNI News year-end series. Read More

USNI News polled its writers, naval analysts and service members on what they consider the most important military and maritime stories in 2018. This story is part of USNI News year-end series. Read More
The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) transits the Elizabeth River during the ship’s transit to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va. Dwight D. Eisenhower is preparing for a planned incremental availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard during the maintenance phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan. US Navy photo.
Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) has departed Norfolk Naval Shipyard and is returning to Naval Station Norfolk to complete the remaining months of work on its long-overrun maintenance availability there, USNI News has learned. Read More
USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) transits the Pacific Ocean while underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations on Aug. 4, 2018. US Navy Photo
This post has been updated to include an addtional statement from the Navy as well as an explanation of how USNI News tabulated its data.
THE PENTAGON – Aircraft carriers – the most visible tools of U.S. military power – are spending more time in maintenance and at home even as the Pentagon has declared it’s entered a new era of competition with China and Russia. Read More
Capt. Kyle P. Higgins, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), addresses the crew during an Aug. 18, 2018, all-hands call on the flight deck. Dwight D. Eisenhower is undergoing a planned incremental availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard during the maintenance phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan. US Navy photo.
Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) will remain tied up in maintenance at Norfolk Naval Shipyard until early 2019, resulting in a maintenance availability about triple the expected six-month length. Read More
Sailors stand beside an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the “Fighting Swordsman” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) on June 26, 2017. The ship is underway during the sustainment phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan. US Navy photo.
This article is the second in a two-part package on the East Coast aircraft carrier fleet, after Commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic Rear Adm. Bruce Lindsey invited USNI News to talk about recent milestones within his fleet.
NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. — Maintaining very high readiness during a carrier strike group’s post-deployment sustainment phase actually saves the Navy money later on, the service found, despite fears that budget constraints might hinder the Navy from making the most of that time in a ship’s deployment cycle. Read More
An F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to the Black Lions of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 launches from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve on Feb. 13, 2017. US Navy Photo
After a two-month gap, the U.S. Navy is again launching carrier-based strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria from the Mediterranean, the service announced on Monday. Read More
The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is set to depart on Saturday for a European and Middle East deployment from Naval Station Norfolk, Va. and Naval Station Mayport, Fla., the Navy announced on Thursday. Read More
The following is U.S. Navy footage released this week of flight operations on carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). Read More
The following is footage of the Truman Carrier Strike Group returning to Naval Station Norfolk, va. on July 13, 2016.
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Sailors prepare to man the rails aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) as it returns to homeport at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. on July 13, 2016. US Navy Photo
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group returned from an eight-month extended deployment fighting ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Read More