USS Nimitz prepares for decommissioning after final deployment

The USS Nimitz, the second nuclear-powered aircraft carrier ever constructed for the U.S. Navy, is nearing the end of its illustrious service life after five decades. It recently departed Naval Base Kitsap for what is expected to be its final deployment in the Indo-Pacific region, amid heightened military tensions in the area. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has sent additional carrier strike groups to the Middle East, necessitating the deployment of USS Nimitz to maintain U.S. naval presence in the Pacific. Commissioned in 1975 and named in honor of World War II Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, the USS Nimitz has a storied history that includes participation in key military operations such as Operation Iraqi Freedom and various peacekeeping efforts throughout its service. This carrier, alongside its combat-ready Carrier Air Wing 17, is equipped with a variety of advanced aircraft, providing significant capabilities for aerial defense and attack missions. The decommissioning process plans to take place at Newport News Shipyard, Virginia, where numerous nuclear-powered ships undergo construction and overhaul. Given the complexities involved in dismantling nuclear vessels, the complete scrapping of the USS Nimitz could take several years, similar to the ongoing decommissioning of USS Enterprise, which began in 2017 but has yet to be fully scrapped. The USS Nimitz has played a significant role in shaping naval aviation and demonstrating the power of nuclear carrier strike groups in various global contexts. As it sails toward retirement, its legacy as a legendary carrier that contributed to U.S. maritime security will be remembered by both the Navy and the nation as a whole.