Navy Quietly Just Rapidly Deployed an Entire Aircraft Carrier Group To Meet Russian Ships Near Hawaii

The Debrief has learned that in early June, the U.S. Navy rapidly deployed the entire U.S.S. Carl Vinson aircraft carrier group, Carrier Strike Group One, in response to a massive build-up of Russian naval forces currently operating roughly 300 miles west of Hawaii.

Multiple U.S. Defense officials speaking on background told The Debrief that sailors assigned to the Carl Vinson Carrier Group found out at the end of May they would be leaving for an unscheduled deployment within the next 11 days. Reportedly, the carrier group had been previously scheduled to deploy at the end of the summer.

Officials say the reason for the rapid deployment was large-scale movements by Russian naval forces seen heading towards the vicinity of Hawaii.


“Deployment cycles are typically very routine, highly coordinated, and scheduled well in advance,” said one current Navy official who was not cleared to speak on the record. “To pull ahead of a previously scheduled deployment for a classified mission set is extremely rare.”

So far, the Navy and Department of Defense have not acknowledged the Carl Vinson Carrier Group’s sudden quiet deployment. Instead, on June 17, U.S. Pacific Command released an article simply announcing the group was currently in the Hawaiian Islands Operating Area. Framing its sudden appearance as “integrated training operations with the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.”

“Operating in Hawaii provides unique opportunities for Vinson to train jointly while positioned to respond if called,” Commander of the U.S. 3rd Fleet, Vice Adm. Steve Koehler, said cryptically, while avoiding mention of there being any real-world element to the group’s activities. “They train to a variety of missions, from long-range strikes to anti-submarine warfare, and can move anywhere on the globe on short notice.”




On June 13, Russian state-run media announced Russia’s Pacific Fleet would be conducting large-scale naval drills in the Pacific Ocean.

According to Russian news outlet TASS, exercises include all of Russia’s “Primorye Flotilla” (Pacific Fleet), auxiliary vessels, and up to 20 aircraft, including long-range bombers. “The drills involve up to 20 surface combatants, submarines, and support vessels,” specified the Russian Defense Ministry.

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