U.S. Sailors signal the launch of an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 37, from the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)
WASHINGTON — The Navy will run into some financial limitations for things like training and exercises starting this summer, stemming from the current pace of operations, according to the service’s top officer.
“I will have to start making decisions to change training, operations, certification, events, those type of things we do to generate our force in the July timeframe,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle told lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday in response to questions about when he expected to run out of funding due to the current rate of operations. The Navy currently has two aircraft carriers deployed to the Middle East.
Caudle confirmed that funds for these operations would come from a defense supplemental. In response, Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif, chair of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, insisted that the supplemental must be sent to lawmakers as soon as possible.
