U.S. Navy carrier group arrives in Japan for Keen Sword

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) arrived at Yokosuka, Japan, on Oct. 16, 2026, with the cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) and the destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73), as the strike group prepares for the U.S.-Japan exercise Keen Sword.

The three ships of Carrier Strike Group 9 pulled into Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, the U.S. Navy’s largest base in Japan and home of the forward-deployed carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). The U.S. Navy said the stop will give crews time for routine maintenance and resupply before the strike group joins Keen Sword, a large joint field training exercise with the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

“Our crew is honored to visit Yokosuka and experience the rich culture and hospitality of Japan,” said Capt. Will Mathis, commanding officer of Theodore Roosevelt. “Port visits like this are vital for crew morale and mission readiness, allowing our Sailors to rest, recharge, and prepare to operate seamlessly alongside our allies during exercise Keen Sword.”

While in port, staff from Carrier Strike Group 9 will hold professional exchanges with officers from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to align tactical procedures ahead of the exercise, which the U.S. Navy refers to as Keen Sword 2027. Keen Sword is held every two years and is designed to improve how Japanese and U.S. forces train, plan and fight together. The U.S. Navy did not give dates for this year’s exercise or say how many ships and aircraft will take part.

“The U.S.-Japan Alliance serves as the cornerstone of peace and security across the region,” said Rear Adm. Marcos Jasso, commander of Carrier Strike Group 9. “Every engagement with our JMSDF allies and the Japan community deepens the mutual trust vital to keeping this region free and open, especially as we transition to complex bilateral operations during Keen Sword.”

Before the visit, commanders reminded crews that they are expected to keep good order and discipline, follow the liberty policy and treat their Japanese hosts with respect. U.S. forces in Japan have tightened liberty rules in recent years after incidents involving service members, particularly on Okinawa, drew criticism from Japanese officials.

Theodore Roosevelt, a Nimitz-class carrier, carries an air wing of fighter jets, early warning aircraft, electronic attack jets and helicopters. Chosin is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser and Decatur an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, both armed with the Aegis air defense system and vertical launch cells for air defense and strike missiles.

The strike group is conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area, which covers the western Pacific and Indian Ocean, and will move from the Yokosuka port visit into bilateral operations with Japanese forces during Keen Sword.