USS Theodore Roosevelt makes rare Yokosuka visit ahead of major US-Japan exercise

The San Diego-based ship, along with the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin and guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur, arrived at the home of the U.S. 7th Fleet around 9 a.m., where it docked in the USS George Washington’s regular berth.

The Roosevelt is the first visiting U.S. aircraft carrier to dock at Yokosuka Naval Base in more than four years as it prepares for the Keen Sword exercise. YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt steamed into Tokyo Bay on Friday morning, becoming the first visiting U.S. carrier to dock at 7th Fleet’s homeport in more than four years as its strike group prepares for a major U.S.-Japan military exercise. The San Diego-based carrier entered the bay with the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin and guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur, arriving around 9 a.m. and taking the berth used by the USS George Washington, which is deployed to the Middle East.

The ships will resupply and undergo maintenance before participating in Keen Sword, scheduled for Oct. 19-29, according to a Navy news release Friday. “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,” Capt. Will Mathis, the Roosevelt’s skipper, said in the release. Carrier Strike Group 9 includes approximately 5,000 sailors and Marines, 7th Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Matthew Comer said by email Friday. The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt steams toward Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on Oct. 16, 2026. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) The Theodore Roosevelt is