Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington has returned to Yokosuka naval base in Kanagawa Prefecture nearly nine years after being relieved by the USS Ronald Reagan as the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed carrier in Japan.
The nuclear-powered vessel, one of 11 carriers in the American fleet, arrived from San Diego at its new homeport Friday morning after completing its midlife refueling and overhaul in the United States — a refitting process that faced delays and was followed by predeployment certifications and inspections.
The 333-meter long warship, which was initially stationed at Yokosuka from 2008 to 2015, didn’t come alone.