The Navy has confirmed that it will send the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt to the Rim of the Pacific multi-national military exercises off Hawaii later this month instead holding the flattop for possible use in the Middle East.
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The Roosevelt’s status has been a bit up-in-the air because of continuing hostilities between the U.S. and Iran. That’s caused anxiety in the Navy because the carrier is meant to be the lead vessel in RimPac, a 38-day exercise that begins on June 24 and involves 31 countries.
The Trump administration has decided to continue operating with two U.S. carriers in the Middle East — San Diego’s USS Abraham Lincoln, which is in the midst of a long deployment, and the USS George Washington, which is based on the East Coast.
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At least five San Diego warships will participate in RimPac, as well as dozens of foreign vessels, including BAP Pisco, a Peruvian amphibious warship that arrived in San Diego on Monday.
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