The Nimitz-class carrier is now reportedly operating in the East Sea off the coast of South Korea, and Pyongyang and Beijing are likely to monitor her movements closely.
Earlier this month, the United States Navy’s Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) arrived in South Korea, just days after North Korea carried out its latest demonstration of its cruise missiles. This marked the first deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier to the Korean Peninsula since June, and the first since President Donald Trump’s second term began in January.
The carrier arrived in Busan, South Korea, on March 2 and wrapped up its five-day visit last Friday.
“An aircraft carrier port visit demonstrates our commitment to the alliance between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea (ROK),” stated Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, commander, CSG-1.
“Our alliance remains the linchpin of peace and security in Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula, and we are dedicated to working with our ROK Navy counterparts to ensure regional stability.”
Before arriving in Busan, the USS Carl Vinson and Carrier Strike Group-1 (CSG-1) took part in the Pacific Steller 2025 joint exercises, which included a multi-large deck event (MLDE) with the French Navy’s Carrier Strike Group, led by the flagship Charles de Gaulle. The American and French ships were accompanied by the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force’s (JMSDF’s) Izumo-class multi-functional destroyer aircraft carrier JS Kaga (DDH-184).
North Korea has typically responded with ire over any U.S. carrier visits to its neighbor to the south, and last week was no different. Kim Jong Un’s sister Kim Yo-jong condemned the visit, suggesting it was justification for Pyongyang’s continued efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
“The U.S. Navy nuclear carrier Carl Vinson entered the Busan operation base in the ROK again on March 2 under the pretext of demonstrating the ROK-United States alliance and increasing inter-operability,” Kim Yo-jong wrote in a statement carried by state media outlet Korean Central News Agency, per Newsweek.
USS Carl Vinson Now in the East Sea
The Nimitz-class carrier is now reported to be operating off the coast of South Korea in the East Sea, and Pyongyang and Beijing are likely to monitor her movements closely. CVN-70 will operate in the region in the coming weeks as the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS George Washington (CVN-73), settles in at Yokosuka, Japan.
According to USNI News, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, assigned to CVN-73, will head to Guam for training through the end of March.
USS Carl Vinson in the Spotlight
CVN-70 is the United States Navy’s third Nimitz-class supercarrier. It was launched in 1980 and officially entered service in 1983.
As with other carriers in her class, USS Carl Vinson can carry more than sixty-five fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft and travel more than 5,000 nautical miles in less than seven days in support of national tasking.
The flattop was named after the late Rep. Carl Vinson (D-Georgia), who had represented his state in the House of Representatives for fifty-one years. He earned the nickname “swamp fox” and “The Admiral” due to his interest in U.S. naval affairs.
Rep. Vinson served as chairman of the House Naval Affairs Committee in the 1930s and was pivotal in guiding the U.S. Navy through the Second World War and the early Cold War. He strongly supported the “Two Ocean Navy Act” which dramatically increased the naval budget by 70 percent.
Though the late Rep. Vinson was never in battle, the carrier named in his honor has a notable combat record.
CVN-70 was deployed during Operation Desert Strike, Iraqi Freedom, Southern Watch, and Enduring Freedom. The warship has earned multiple Battle Effectiveness Awards for its role in naval operations in 1990, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2011, 2015, and 2018. The Carl Vinson has received other awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites, with over 3,200 published pieces and over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Shutterstock/Daisuke Shimizu.
