U.S. Navy Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt Makes First Yokosuka Port Call Ahead of Major Pacific Exercise

U.S. Navy’s Aircraft Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, destroyer USS Decatur, and Cruiser USS Chosin arrived at Japan’s Yokosuka Naval Base on Friday to participate in the bilateral exercise Keen Sword 27.

Roosevelt is the first non-forward-deployed carrier to dock at the base since Abraham Lincoln’s visit in 2022. The Carrier Strike Group docked at the base for maintenance and resupply as well.

The Group would engage in professional drills with its counterpart in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

Though the U.S. and Japan are the major participants in Keen Sword, other countries are also invited to become a part of the initiative or simply as an observer. Japan would deploy 45,000 personnel, 40 ships, 250 aircraft, and 6100 vehicles for the exercise.

USS Ronald Reagan led the exercise in 2022 and USS George Washington in 2024, and this time USS Theodore Roosevelt has been chosen for the same.

The Carrier Group’s visit to Japan comes at a time of strained U.S-Japan relations after an Okinawa-based Marine was arrested for robbing and murdering a Japanese woman.

The Mayor of Yokosuka, Katsuaki Kamiji, told the Ministry of Defense to clearly explain to the American crew the expected conduct and manners while they remain in Japan for the exercise.

Before the port call, commanders of the U.S. naval warships explained to the sailors that they were to uphold dignity and discipline, according to a U.S. Navy release.

The Carrier Group arrived in Japan with a massive unmanned service vessel, according to a Pentagon official, which is also a first for both the U.S. and Japan.

According to sources, on October 19 and 20, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Air Self-Defense Force and Ground Self-Defense Force will carry out integrated live-fire drills on the uninhabited islands of Oki Daito in the Philippine Sea.

Between October 19 and 23, 2026, the U.S. warships will carry out several military activities off White Beach, Okinawa, with the drone boat showing its autonomous at-sea surveillance capabilities.

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force would act as observers during the U.S. demonstration, which would be represented by the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment and the Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron 7.