U.S. Aircraft Carrier Steams Through Middle East Waters As Fighter Jets Pack Its Flight Deck

The USS George Washington sails through open waters in the U.S. 5th Fleet area, with F/A-18 Super Hornets filling its flight deck as the aircraft carrier operates in the region.

Posted Thursday, October 1, the footage shows the carrier underway before the view shifts to flight operations. A fighter jet approaches over the stern with its landing gear down as sailors in yellow, red and green vests work across the deck.

Several F/A-18 Super Hornets are parked along the starboard side, while another jet taxis past deck tractors. The clip does not show weapons launches, combat action or aircraft taking off.

The Japan-based USS George Washington entered the U.S. Central Command area on August 19, replacing the USS Abraham Lincoln after its extended deployment. The carrier is operating with Carrier Air Wing 5, including F/A-18 Super Hornets, as part of the U.S. military presence in the Middle East.

The footage was released as U.S. officials reported additional naval forces moving toward the region, including the USS Theodore Roosevelt and an amphibious group led by USS Makin Island. The exact location where the clip was filmed was not disclosed.