US Navy faces aircraft carrier maintenance backlogs

The United States Navy is managing a significant maintenance backlog for its aircraft carrier fleet. Currently, four of the eleven carriers required by law are undergoing maintenance: the USS John C. Stennis is in overhaul, while the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Ronald Reagan are in planned incremental availabilities. The USS Harry S. Truman is also scheduled for maintenance following a planned incremental availability.

Historical data from a Government Accountability Office audit highlights systemic delays in shipyard operations. Between fiscal years 2015 and 2019, carrier maintenance periods averaged 113 days of delay per late period. These delays were attributed to unplanned work and workforce shortages, with the Navy having underestimated required resource days by approximately 36 percent.

In Virginia, the impact of environmental factors on military readiness is a central issue in the second congressional district race between Republican Jennifer Kiggans and Democrat Elaine Luria. The region, which includes Naval Station Norfolk, faces significant challenges from sea-level rise and flooding, which the Department of Defense has identified as a factor that can affect national defense.