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USNI News • Mallory Shelbourne

USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) completes first builder’s sea trials, returns to Newport News

The future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), second Gerald R. Ford‑class carrier, completed eight days of builder’s sea trials Jan. 28–Feb. 4 and returned to HII’s Newport News shipyard. Sailors, industry and Navy personnel tested ship systems and operations as the carrier moves toward delivery and a 2027 fleet arrival.

2026-02-04T12:36:02.326088-08:00

Reuters

U.S. F-35C from USS Abraham Lincoln shoots down Iranian drone in Arabian Sea

2026-02-03T09:37:19.594125-08:00

Reuters

USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group arrives in Middle East as White House weighs strikes on Iran

2026-01-26T08:26:31.076384-08:00

Wall Street Journal

Trump seeks 'decisive' options as U.S. fighters arrive and carrier strike group heads to Middle East

2026-01-20T23:00:52.920678-08:00

News Timeline

USNI News

USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) completes first builder’s sea trials, returns to Newport News The future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), second Gerald R. Ford‑class carrier, completed eight days of builder’s sea trials Jan. 28–Feb. 4 and returned to HII’s Newport News shipyard. Sailors, industry and Navy personnel tested ship systems and operations as the carrier moves toward delivery and a 2027 fleet arrival.

2026-02-04T12:36:02.326088-08:00

USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) completes first builder’s sea trials, returns to Newport News

Reuters

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U.S. F-35C from USS Abraham Lincoln shoots down Iranian drone in Arabian Sea A U.S. F-35C operating from USS Abraham Lincoln shot down an Iranian drone after it "aggressively approached" the carrier in the Arabian Sea, U.S. Central Command said. The engagement, alongside reported Iranian harassment of a U.S.-flagged merchant vessel, comes as additional American forces flow into the region.

2026-02-03T09:37:19.594125-08:00

U.S. F-35C from USS Abraham Lincoln shoots down Iranian drone in Arabian Sea

DefenseNews.com

Marine F-35C squadron slated for 2022 carrier deployment; pilots to fight first in different fighter A U.S. Marine Corps F-35C squadron is scheduled for an aircraft carrier deployment in 2022, but its pilots will initially fly and fight in a different fighter type before transitioning to the F-35C. The sequencing affects carrier air wing readiness and transition timelines.

2026-01-27T21:03:22.065457-08:00

Marine F-35C squadron slated for 2022 carrier deployment; pilots to fight first in different fighter

Reuters

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USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group arrives in Middle East as White House weighs strikes on Iran The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and three escort warships have arrived in the Middle East, marking a renewed U.S. naval buildup as the White House contemplates further strikes on Iran amid protests and escalating regional tensions. Reports also indicate possible Israeli cooperation with U.S. forces in the theater.

2026-01-26T08:26:31.076384-08:00

USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group arrives in Middle East as White House weighs strikes on Iran

Wall Street Journal

Trump seeks 'decisive' options as U.S. fighters arrive and carrier strike group heads to Middle East President Trump is pursuing "decisive" options against Iran as U.S. jet fighters have arrived in the region and an aircraft carrier strike group is en route to the Middle East. The moves represent a rapid escalation in U.S. military posture with immediate operational and alliance implications.

2026-01-20T23:00:52.920678-08:00

Trump seeks 'decisive' options as U.S. fighters arrive and carrier strike group heads to Middle East

Aviation Week

US Navy demos autonomous control on Kratos BQM‑177s and integrates Collaborative Combat Aircraft with F/A‑18E/F and F‑35C The U.S. Navy completed a second demonstration of autonomous flight‑control software on Kratos BQM‑177 target drones and ran trials familiarizing F/A‑18E/F and F‑35C pilots with Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The exercises advance carrier‑capable uncrewed‑fighter concepts and manned–unmanned teaming tactics for future carrier operations.

2026-01-12T11:59:01.425931-08:00

US Navy demos autonomous control on Kratos BQM‑177s and integrates Collaborative Combat Aircraft with F/A‑18E/F and F‑35C

Reuters

US intercepts fifth sanctioned Venezuelan tanker in carrier‑launched raid, warns China to keep away from the Americas A predawn raid by Marines and sailors launched from USS Gerald R. Ford intercepted a fifth sanctioned tanker carrying Venezuelan oil, part of a U.S. campaign to disrupt Caracas’s revenue. Washington framed the operation as a warning to Beijing over its expanding footprint in the region.

2026-01-11T05:18:22.914071-08:00

US intercepts fifth sanctioned Venezuelan tanker in carrier‑launched raid, warns China to keep away from the Americas

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Aircraft Carrier News

USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) completes first builder’s sea trials, returns to Newport News

U.S. F-35C from USS Abraham Lincoln shoots down Iranian drone in Arabian Sea

USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group arrives in Middle East as White House weighs strikes on Iran

Trump seeks 'decisive' options as U.S. fighters arrive and carrier strike group heads to Middle East

News Timeline