With the arrival of the Carl Vinson Carrier strike group on Guam's shores Monday. Tumon is experiencing a slight uptick in visitors as sailors take advantage of their scheduled port visit to explore the island.

KUAM asked what some of their first impressions are. 

“I love it,” said Sailor Sebastion Rodlfo.

“I’ve heard so much about the beach –I’m trying to go swim. I heard you can go deep dive,” added Sailor Emmanuel Judy. 

For these service members, it’s all about rest and relaxation before the USS Carl Vinson steams off to the Middle East, where its deployment will be extended for another three months.

The move comes from the U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as he beefs up warship presence in the region amid increases in U.S. strikes on Yemen-based Houthi rebels, according to a U.S. official, as reported by the associated press.

Despite one sailor telling KUAM he was looking forward to returning home, he had this to say about his new orders.

“I’m excited,” said Rodlfo. 

With this move, Hegseth shifts the Vinson and its warships away from the Indo-Pacific, which the Trump Administration has emphasized as its primary focus.

Vinson includes the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), embarked staffs of CSG-1 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1, Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Milius (DDG 69).

The Vinson is expected to arrive in the region early next month.