U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Hosted International Helicopter Exchange

The U.S. Navy's Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) sits moored at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, after arriving to participate in Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Each of the United States Navy’s Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers typically carry around 48 strike fighters, and the total carrier air wing (CVW) can include upwards of 90 aircraft in total. Last Saturday, the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) saw the number of aircraft increase significantly as the fourth Nimitz-class supercarrier hosted more than 45 international partners from eight countries during an international helicopter warfighter exchange at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific.

In addition to military pilots from the United States, the exchange saw rotary wing aviators from South Korea, Italy, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Mexico take part, where they discussed different procedures and a multitude of aviation challenges as a way to foster a strengthened relationship.

“The event was designed to build trust, improve communication and support cooperation among the different countries,” the Department of Defense announced.

It was the first opportunity for international partners to coordinate with the crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt since the flattop began its current deployment. CVN-71 departed its homeport of San Diego on June 15, 2026. The carrier arrived in Hawaii on June 23, in advance of RIMPAC maritime exercises.

USS Theodore Roosevelt spent several months preparing for its 2026 deployment, which includes leading the U.S. participation in the international exercises.

“We’re privileged to host the international helicopter exchange aboard the Theodore Roosevelt,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Andrew Poulin, USS Theodore Roosevelt strike operations officer. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase naval aviation and work with our partners from different countries.”

The international helicopter exchange was the multinational training event of this year’s RIMPAC. Visiting flight crews were able to tour the carrier’s hangar bay, flight deck and navigation spaces, as well as to observe rotary wing aircraft operations.

“It’s been a great experience for helicopter pilots to exchange ideas, share flight experiences, learn about different cultures and get to know more people,” said Peruvian Navy Cmdr. Antonio Gonzáles.

The sentiment was shared by Mexican Navy Lt. j.g. Francisco Valencia, who added, “We’re grateful for the opportunity to participate in exercises like this, which allow us to improve our tactical skills and build relationships with other navies.”

The 30th RIMPAC Is Underway

This year marks the 30th iteration of the Rim of the Pacific exercises. The first RIMPAC brought together five nations – including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States – to conduct maritime training in the waters around Hawaii.

Due to its growing size and logistics, it transitioned to a biennial event beginning in 1974.

It is now the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise with more than a dozen nations taking part in complex, realistic training that is aimed at enhancing interoperability and strengthening global security partnerships.

Held over several weeks, this year’s RIMPAC kicked off on June 24, running until July 31; it is set to include approximately 30,000 personnel, 40 surface ships, five submarines and more than 140 aircraft.

“It will cover a wide range of capabilities including amphibious operations, gunnery and missile proficiency, anti-submarine warfare, air defense exercises, military medicine, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, counter-piracy, mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving and salvage operations,” the Pentagon announced last month.

Indo-Pacific Deployment

The United States Navy typically doesn’t give advanced warning or insight into where its aircraft carriers could be deployed. However, following the conclusion of the RIMPAC 2026 exercises in late July, the USS Theodore Roosevelt is expected to continue its scheduled deployment in the Western Pacific and the broader Indo-Pacific, operating in either the U.S. 3rd or 7th Fleet areas of operation.

The DoD may intentionally maintain CVN-71’s operational focus in the Pacific region in an effort to bolster American maritime presence, rather than dispatching another nuclear-powered supercarrier to the Middle East.

Currently, two other U.S. Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carriers are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, including the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77).

As of Thursday, CVN-72 has been deployed for 223 days, having also departed from Naval Station San Diego, California on November 21, 2025. The fifth Nimitz-class supercarrier was previously operating in the Indo-Pacific but was redirected by the Pentagon to the Middle East, entering the CENTCOM AOR on January 26, 2026.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt previously operated in the Middle East during its last deployment, departing the region in mid-September 2024, when it began its journey back to its homeport of San Diego.