John Currin
15 years in Royal New Zealand Navy
Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS) EDD-964 (ex-USS Paul F. Foster) used by the USN for experimental weapons and sensors testing, coming into San Diego. April 2, 2024
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USS Paul F. Foster departs Pearl Harbor on 1 June 1991
The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) is underway in the Atlantic Ocean. 2013 conducting sea trials after 4 year refit
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Japan’s Secret Aircraft Carriers are Right Out in the Open
March 31, 2024 Topic: Security Region: Asia Blog Brand: The Buzz Tags: ChinaJapanAircraft CarriersMilitaryDefenseHyuga-classIzumo-Class
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/japans-secret-aircraft-carriers-are-right-out-open-210326
While the Izumo ships initially only embarked helicopters, many observers noted they could accommodate larger airframes. This was later confirmed by officials in the Japanese military – the design was intended to handle the American-made F-35B, the VTOL variant of the Lightning II.
by Maya Carlin Follow Mayarcarlin on TwitterL
Ever since the U.S. began assuring its sovereignty at the conclusion of the Second World War, Japan has been limited in the size and scope of its military. Their very constitution limits possession of offensive weapons. One such weapon is the aircraft carrier. While most developed nations with naval presences and a vested interest in maritime security have aircraft carriers, Japan does not. There is a strong argument to be made, however, that Tokyo’s helicopter destroyers are functionally the same.
Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer
In the early 2000s, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force developed the Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer. The Hyuga and her sister-ship Ise represented the largest ships built for the Japanese navy in over half a century when they were introduced.
These destroyers are well-equipped and possess similar specifications as the Italian Giuseppe Garibaldi and Spanish Principe de Asturias light aircraft carriers. Both warships are armed with a Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS) for self-defense and with a 16-cell VLS sporting the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile surface-to-air missile. The two ships are primarily used in anti-submarine (ASW) activities.
While neither embarks fixed wing aircraft, their size and shape closely resemble light aircraft carriers.
Izumo-class destroyer:
The Izumo-class ships were planned following their Hyuga predecessors and are even larger in size, They too, were announced as being intended for anti-submarine operations with seven ASW helicopters and two search and rescue helicopters. They bear the same CIWS defense system as the Hyugas while also possessing a SeaRAM missile system.
While the Izumo ships initially only embarked helicopters, many observers noted they could accommodate larger airframes. This was later confirmed by officials in the Japanese military – the design was intended to handle the American-made F-35B, the VTOL variant of the Lightning II.
In 2018, the Japanese cabinet approved modifications to enable the Izumo and her sister ship Kaga to operate with the F-35. While some say this makes them capable of offensive operations thus violating the Japanese Constitution, the Japanese government maintains that they are strictly for defensive purposes.
Japan’s Secret Aircraft Carriers?
Regardless of any statements, in 2021 a fixed-wing F-35B operated by the U.S. Marine Corps successfully took off from and landed on the JS Izumo. While she may still be called a destroyer or helicopter carrier to avoid running afoul of Japanese law, this successful test for all intents and purposes means she is now an aircraft carrier.
With modifications on the Izumo underway and those on the Kaga nearly complete, Japan now possesses its first aircraft carriers in decades.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is now capable of operating far from the air cover of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, which provides a defensive depth previously missing. While the Izumo ships are a step in the right direction, these destroyers lack offensive capabilities and therefore cannot be adequately compared to other carriers including in the U.S., UK, China or Russia.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
Image Credit: Creative Commons.
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: April 1, 2024
U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE STAF APRIL 1, 2024 12:33 PM
These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of April 1, 2024, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.
Ships Underway
| Total Battle Force | Deployed | Underway |
| 293 (USS 233, USNS 60) | 94 (USS 63, USNS 31) | 54 (43 Deployed, 11 Local) |
In Japan
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka. The carrier is set to depart for the East Coast later this year. USS George Washington (CVN-73) will replace Reagan in Japan.
In the Philippine Sea
USS America (LHA-6) is operating in the Philippine Sea.
In the South China Sea
Aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is underway in the South China Sea.
The carrier has been using older C-2A Greyhounds as a temporary carrier-onboard delivery vehicle while the CMV-22B fleet was grounded following the November crash of an Air Force MV-22B Osprey off the coast of Japan.
Earlier this month, the grounding of the Ospreys was lifted, and the Navy has begun recertifying crews and aircraft for the logistics operations.
Carrier Strike Group 9
Carrier
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), homeported at San Diego, Calif.
Carrier Air Wing 11
- The “Fist of the Fleet” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
- The “Black Knights” of VFA 154 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
- The “Blue Blasters” of VFA 34 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
- The “Flying Checkmates” of VFA 211 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
- The “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
- The “Liberty Bells” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 115 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
- The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Station, Norfolk, Va.
- The “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
- The “Eightballers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.
Cruiser
USS Lake Erie (CG-70), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
Destroyer Squadron 23
Destroyer Squadron 23 is based in San Diego and is embarked on Theodore Roosevelt.
- USS John S. McCain(DDG-56), homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash.
- USS Halsey(DDG-97), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
- USS Daniel Inouye (DDG-118), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
In the Pacific
USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750) was in port at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as of Monday.
USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10) arrived in San Francisco on Sunday.
USCGC Harriet Lane (WMEC-903) arrived Majuro, Marshall Islands, on Saturday and departed on Monday. The cutter is on its first deployment since the cutter relocated to Hawaii.
In the Red Sea
U.S. ships continue to patrol the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led multinational effort to protect ships moving through the region. Houthi forces in Yemen continue to attack merchant shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, while U.S. naval forces in the region have continued cBetween 6:00 and 10:56 p.m. (Sanaa time) on March 28, and for the second day in a row, United States Central Command successfully engaged and destroyed four unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen. These UAS were aimed at a Coalition vessel and a U.S. warship and were engaged in self defense over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported to U.S. or coalition ships. strikes against Houthi weapons that U.S. Central Command says are a threat to naval and merchant ships. Houthi forces say they are targeting ships with connections to the United Kingdom, the U.S. and Israel.
As of Monday, the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group was operating in the Red Sea.
Ike deployed on Oct. 14, while several of the carrier’s escorts left on Oct. 13. The carrier transited the Strait of Gibraltar on Oct. 28 and transited the Suez Canal on Nov. 4.
The U.N. Security Council on Jan. 10 approved a resolution calling on Yemen’s Houthi rebel group to “cease its brazen” attacks in the Red Sea.
Carrier Strike Group 2
Carrier
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), homeported at Norfolk, Va.
Carrier Air Wing 3
- The “Gunslingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
- The “Fighting Swordsmen” of VFA 32 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
- The “Rampagers” of VFA 83 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
- The “Wildcats” of VFA 131 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
- The “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
- The “Screwtops” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 123 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
- The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
- The “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
- The “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7 – MH-60S – from Naval Station Norfolk.
Cruiser
USS Philippine Sea (CG-58), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
Destroyer Squadron 22
Destroyer Squadron 22 is based in Norfolk, Va., and is embarked on Eisenhower.
- USS Gravely(DDG-107), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
- USS Mason(DDG-87), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.
On Saturday, Central Command (CENTCOM) forces destroyed two unmanned aerial systems (UAS) – one over the Red Sea and one in Yemen.
On Thursday, and for the second day in a row, CENTCOM forces destroyed four Houthi UAS aimed at a Coalition vessel and a U.S. warship.
On Wednesday, CENTCOM forces destroyed four long-range Houthi UASs aimed at a U.S. warship.
The Houthi UASs were destroyed in the Red Sea. Central Command did not identify which forces were invovled.
In the Persian Gulf
U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) are forward-deployed to the region under Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). PATFORSWA deploys Coast Guard personnel and ships with U.S. and regional naval forces throughout the Middle East. Initially deployed in 2003 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA is now a permanent presence based out of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
In the Eastern Pacific
Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) was spotted returning to San Diego, Calif., last Monday, according to ship spotters. The big deck amphibious ship is slated to deploy later this month.
In the Eastern Atlantic
The ships carrying pieces to build a humanitarian aid pier in Gaza are in the midst of their journey across the Atlantic.
Five U.S. Army watercraft and a Marine Administration ready reserve transport WHAT’S SUPPOSED TO BE CAPITALIZED HERE ship are underway headed to the Eastern Mediterranean. USAV General Frank S. Benson (LSV-1) left Joint Base Langley-Eustis on March 9, and, as of Monday, it was in the vicinity of the Azores approaching the Strait of Gibraltar.
On March 12, USAV SP4 James A. Loux (LSV-6) and the smaller USAV Montorrey (LCU-2030), USAV Matamoros (LCU-2026) and USAV Wilson Wharf (LCU-2011) were sailing halfway across the Atlantic. The MARAD ship MV Roy P. Benavidez (TAKR-306) left on March 21 with the majority of the modular causeway pieces for the pier loaded aboard. As of Monday, Benavidez was sailing south of the Italian island of Sardinia.
Back on the East Coast, Military Sealift Command ships USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez (T-AK-3010) and USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo (AK-3008) are loading parts of the Naval Beach Group One’s similar floating pier system to operate in tandem with the Army’s system.
The general concept will have the Army build a pier that will be anchored to the shore in Gaza with no U.S. personnel setting foot in Israel. The Navy will build a transfer point two to three miles offshore where cargo – likely originating in Cyprus – will be transferred to the Army watercraft to be taken to the pier.
Based on the initial timelines, the pier could be completed by mid-May.
In the Western Atlantic
USS Wasp (LHD-1) was spotted returning to Norfolk, Va., on Thursday, according to ship spotters.
In addition to these major formations, not shown are others serving in submarines, individual surface ships, aircraft squadrons, SEALs, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, Seabees, EOD Mobile Units and more serving throughout the globe.