USS George Washington conducts flight ops in South China Sea

A CMV-22B Osprey, attached to Fleet Logistics Multi Mission Squadron (VRM) 30, idles on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during flight operations in the South China Sea, July 24, 2026. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premiere forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Crowley)