George Washington Carrier Strike Group Arrives in Guam for First Port Call of Spring 2026 Patrol

The George Washington Carrier Strike Group pulled into Guam on June 16, 2026, for the first scheduled port call of its spring 2026 patrol. The strike group, led by aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) with embarked Carrier Air Wing 5, includes guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) and destroyers USS Benfold (DDG-65) and USS Shoup (DDG-86). Currently the only U.S. Navy carrier operating in the Indo-Pacific, the George Washington departed Yokosuka on May 23 and conducted Carrier Qualification training off Kyushu from May 24-28 to certify its embarked fixed-wing aircraft squadrons for operations.

The arrival in Guam comes after the strike group conducted joint drills with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels from May 22 through the port visit date. Japanese destroyer Kaga (DDH-184) and destroyers Fuyuzuki (DD-118) and Shiranui (DD-120) participated in tactical exercises including anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and replenishment-at-sea operations with the American vessels and fleet oiler USNS Earl Warren (T-AO-207). The Kaga is part of the JMSDF's 2nd Surface Unit, which departed Japan on June 9 for the annual Indo-Pacific Deployment 2026.

Captain Nicholas DeLeo, commanding officer of USS George Washington, emphasized Guam's strategic importance: "Guam remains a critical nexus for the Navy's carrier strike groups. 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." Rear Admiral Eric Anduze, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5 and Task Force 70, noted the group departed Japan "ready for any contingency, integrated with our JMSDF partner and completely prepared to answer any call from our Nation."

Following its Guam port visit, the George Washington Carrier Strike Group is expected to headline the Valiant Shield 2026 biennial field training exercise in the Western Pacific. This marks a significant deployment as USS Robert Smalls' final patrol in the region before the Navy transitions away from its cruiser fleet; the ship is scheduled to shift homeport to San Diego and be inactivated in Fiscal Year 2027. It will be replaced by destroyer USS Mustin (DDG-89), which arrived at Yokosuka in March 2026.