USS George Washington conducts flight operations in the Indian Ocean

A Sailor, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, signals an MH-60S Seahawk on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the Indian Ocean, Aug. 15, 2026. George Washington, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, 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 3rd Class Nicolas Quezada)