YOKOSUKA, Japan, June 29, 2026 — The U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center (SRF-JRMC) has successfully completed scheduled Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) maintenance availabilities for two major U.S. Navy warships, returning the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86) and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) to the U.S. 7th Fleet on schedule.
USS Shoup completed its maintenance availability and returned to operational service on May 11, while USS George Washington rejoined the fleet on May 13, following the successful completion of planned repair and maintenance work.
The maintenance periods included inspections, repairs, system upgrades, and other work required to ensure both vessels remain fully mission-capable for operations in the Indo-Pacific region. The work formed part of the Navy's Chief of Naval Operations maintenance program, which supports the long-term readiness and operational availability of forward-deployed naval forces.
According to the U.S. Navy, completing these maintenance periods on schedule highlights SRF-JRMC's role in generating and sustaining combat-ready ships assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet. Conducting repairs and modernization work in Japan allows the Navy to maintain continuous operational presence in the Indo-Pacific without sending ships back to maintenance facilities in the continental United States, reducing downtime and increasing fleet availability.
The maintenance effort required extensive coordination among U.S. Navy sailors, civilian maintenance personnel, Japanese Master Labor Agreement employees, local Yokosuka contractors, and U.S.-based defense companies. Navy officials said this collaborative approach enables the facility to efficiently support forward-deployed vessels while maintaining scheduled maintenance timelines.
SRF-JRMC has supported U.S. naval operations in Japan for more than 75 years, providing intermediate and depot-level maintenance, repairs, modernization, and technical support for ships assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet. The facility serves as one of the Navy's primary maintenance centers for forward-deployed forces in the Indo-Pacific.
The U.S. Navy stated that performing ship maintenance in Japan strengthens fleet readiness, maximizes the availability of combat vessels, and supports the United States' long-term commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. The timely return of USS Shoup and USS George Washington, the Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier, ensures the 7th Fleet retains essential operational capabilities across the region.
Officials also noted that consistent and timely maintenance remains a critical component of regional security by ensuring surface combatants and aircraft carriers remain prepared for operational deployments. During 2026, SRF-JRMC has delivered multiple ships back to the fleet on or ahead of schedule, reinforcing its role in sustaining mission-ready naval forces throughout the Indo-Pacific.
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