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USS Theodore Roosevelt CSG Leaves Singapore Bound for the Gulf

USS Theodore Roosevelt
Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and her carrier group departed Singapore bound for the Gulf (USN)

By The Maritime Executive 2026-11-09 10:53:19

The Nimitz Class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), flagship of Carrier Strike Group CSG9, has left Changi Naval Base in Singapore. At midnight on November 8, she was nearly through the Strait of Malacca before switching off her AIS system and is now heading into the Indian Ocean. The port stopover was an unusually short three days.

Not appearing on AIS, but escorting the carrier sometimes known as the “Teddy Ruxpin,” are the Ticonderoga Class guided missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG-65) and the Arleigh Burke guided missile destroyers USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60) and USS Decatur (DDG-73). The CSG is unlikely to be travelling without a nuclear attack submarine somewhere in the vicinity and an oil resupply and dry stores vessel.

CSG9 deployed from San Diego on September 27, leaving in the same time frame was the Amphibious Ready Group led by the Wasp Class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8), accompanied by the USS Anchorage (LPD-23) and the USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26). The ARG has the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked.

At a comfortable cruising speed of 30 knots, the CSG could be in the North Arabian Sea by November 16, although accompanying escorts may have some difficulty keeping up at such speed. The CSG will likely also do some further work-up training while en route to the operational deployment area.

As The Maritime Executive pointed out last month, the arrival of CSG 9 presents a unique opportunity to have three CSGs in place for a short period, before the USS Theodore Roosevelt CSG must relieve the USS George Washington CSG, while leaving the second aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush on the line. Presumably the same is true of US Marine forces afloat, with the USS Makin Island ARG relieving the USS Boxer ARG and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The South Pan on Diego Garcia on November 8 (Sentinel-2)

In the meantime, there is nothing unusual with deployments on Diego Garcia, as seen through 35 percent cloud cover. On November 8, there appeared to be two P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft, two C-17 transporters, and a pair of KC-135 refuelers on the South Pan. No fighter aircraft appear to be present. The bay, however, is quite busy, with two ships alongside and four anchored off.

Both naval and political factors indicate that if there is to be a resumption of high-intensity operations, it is likely to occur between mid-November and Christmas. The medium-term weather forecast is also favorable for air operations. Thereafter, the force deployment in theater will need to fall, and the new arrivals in the US Senate and House of Representatives will begin to have influence on the President’s executive powers. 

If there is no resumption of high-intensity operations, then CENTCOM looks well set up to maintain the naval blockade of Iranian ships and ports indefinitely. It will leave the Iranian IRGC hardliners grappling with a lack of funds and essential imports, without which they will find it difficult to maintain internal security as shortages begin to have a widespread disruptive impact, exacerbated by the onset of winter weather.