US Navy’s Third Carrier Leaves Middle East War Zone—What Comes Next?
USS George H.W. Bush docks off Phuket after six months supporting US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush arrived off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, on October 4, marking its first port call since departing the United States in March. The vessel, carrying approximately 4,800 personnel, is anchored offshore, with sailors expected to disembark at Phuket Deep Sea Port over the coming days.
The carrier’s deployment began on March 31, when it left Norfolk, Virginia, and Mayport, Florida, to support U.S. naval operations in the Middle East. During its mission, the George H.W. Bush and its strike group participated in Operation Epic Fury, a U.S.-led effort to counter regional threats, and enforced a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transit.
Six Months in the Middle East
The deployment was not without incident. In September, Iranian missile and drone attacks targeted U.S. bases in Jordan and at least one aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea, resulting in nine Marines and 29 sailors wounded. The carrier left the region without a public announcement from U.S. Central Command or the 5th Fleet, though a photograph of the vessel in the Arabian Sea was later posted on September 30.
The five-day stop in Thailand, scheduled to conclude on October 9, will allow the crew to recover after months at sea. Sailors are expected to participate in sightseeing tours, community activities, and a U.S.-Thailand soccer match. Capt. Justin T. Issler, the carrier’s commanding officer, emphasized the importance of the visit, stating it would provide the crew with an opportunity to “rest, experience Thai culture, and meet people in the local community.”
Rest and Cultural Exchange in Thailand
The George H.W. Bush is the second U.S. aircraft carrier to visit Thailand in recent weeks, following the USS Abraham Lincoln, which made a five-day stop in Laem Chabang last month. The Lincoln’s deployment had been particularly grueling, with reports of eight suicide attempts among its crew after months without a port call.
With the George H.W. Bush now in Thailand, only the USS George Washington remains in the Middle East. The USS Theodore Roosevelt is en route to the region but is not expected to arrive immediately. Meanwhile, the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, carrying sailors and Marines, departed San Diego last week, though its exact destination remains unclear.
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