The USS George Washington is set to arrive at North Island Air Base in Coronado on Monday as part of a planned three carrier swap.
The carrier will trade crew and equipment with USS Ronald Reagan before heading to Norfolk, Va. for refueling and overhaul.
The George Washington left Japan in May. It will conduct a 10-day turn over period with the Ronald Reagan beginning August 10.
After the swap the Ronald Reagan will head to Yokosuka, Japan to serve as the fleet's forward deployed naval forces aircraft carrier in the region.
"We are sending one of our most advanced carriers to join our forward deployed forces in Japan to support the security, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region," said Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, Commander, Naval Air Forces, in a statement. "Sending USS Ronald Reagan demonstrates our continued commitment to the region and ensures the Navy is where it matters, when it matters."
The George Washington replaces the Theodore Roosevelt in Norfolk, and the Theodore Roosevelt is expected to head back to San Diego this fall. The Theodore Roosevelt is on deployment around the world after leaving Norfolk in March of this year.
The crew swap allows many of the sailors to stay living in the same place and saves the Navy approximately $41 million in Permanent Change of Station costs, they said in a statement.About two thirds of the crew will stay and the rest will travel with the carrier.
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The Navy announced the carrier swap in 2014.
