Prolonged military operations in the Middle East have forced the U.S. Navy to redeploy the USS George Washington out of Japan to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, drawing warnings from military analyst and lawmakers that it leaves an opening for China to flex its muscle in the region.
This shift leaves the Western Pacific temporarily without a forward- deployed American aircraft carrier while critical missile inventories— including Tomahawks, Patriots, and THAAD interceptors— face deep, multi-year replenishment delays.
The departure of the Yokosuka-based carrier group creates a rare regional void as warships rebalance toward CENTCOM areas of operation. Security partners like Japan and the Philippines confront a weakened visible deterrent just as regional naval drills by China increase.
China recently conducted military exercises and live fire drills, even with an American carrier in region.
Thus far, no plans have been announced by the Pentagon as to whether it will send another carrier to the Pacific region. Military analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies said, “The United States doesn’t like to leave the area uncovered, because the Chinese can take advantage of it in peacetime, and they’ve done that.”
According to Sen. Jack Reed, top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, this send another signal that China doesn’t take the U.S. Navy seriously.
Military leaders and members of Congress for years have warned about China’s military buildup. In 2021, Admiral Philip Davidson told the Senate Armed Services Committee that China would try to take control in the next six years, putting the target at 2027.
In July, Rep. Michael McCaul from Texas, said the U.S. war with Iran could factor into China’s decision-making, pointing to the depleted weapons stockpile and middle east conflicts.
Heavy use of Tomahawk land-attack missiles and air-defense interceptors in the Iran war has significantly drawn down U.S. stockpiles. Defense analysts estimate it will take at least three years to restore key precision-guided and defensive missile inventories to pre-war levels.
Observers warn that this depletion creates a temporary window of risk for the Indo-Pacific theater while pacing challenges near Taiwan persist.