The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) Carrier Strike Group entered the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in late April 2026 after a transit around Africa, supporting maritime security operations, enforcement of a naval blockade in the Arabian Sea, and related activities amid U.S.-Iran tensions. The carrier remained on station through September, with its last reported presence in the region noted around September 30. It then departed CENTCOM waters without public announcement from 5th Fleet or CENTCOM and arrived in Phuket, Thailand, on October 4 for a scheduled port visit under 7th Fleet, marking its first liberty call of the deployment. This shift reduces the U.S. carrier presence in CENTCOM to one ship, with resolution of related markets turning on confirmed operational boundaries and transit timelines.