US aircraft carrier group searches for missing sailor off the coast of Australia By GARY WARNER STARS AND STRIPES • July 29, 2025 USS George Washington carrier strike group participates in Talisman Sabre 25 exercises in the Timor Sea near Australia on July 18, 2025. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier sails in formation with the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls and the guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup. (U.S. Navy photo) The aircraft carrier USS George Washington and its strike group of warships and aircraft are searching the Timor Sea off Australia for a sailor reported missing Monday, the Navy confirmed.