logo
USS Nimitz waves goodbye to San Diego for likely final deployment

USS Nimitz waves goodbye to San Diego for likely final deployment

Yahoo28-03-2025

The U.S. Navy's eldest aircraft carrier set sail out of San Diego on Wednesday for what is sure to be its final trip.
The Nimitz, which was first commissioned in 1975 and given a service lifespan of 50 years, left Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego — once its homeport for 11 years — for a regularly scheduled deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, according to a Navy social media post. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group arrived in California after leaving Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, on March 21.
'Seeing our Sailors man the rails today — with reflections from our very first deployment in 1976 — reminds us how far we've come, and how strong our legacy remains,' the post read.
The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group includes the aircraft carrier Nimitz, as well as the nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 17 and the four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers of Destroy Squadron 9.
The Nimitz most recently completed a six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific in June 2023, where it visited Japan and India, took part in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's Large Scale Global Exercise and provided disaster relief to Guam after Typhoon Mawar.
During its newest deployment, the strike group 'will focus on protecting security, freedom, and prosperity for the United States, our allies and partners, and demonstrating the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,' according to a Navy release.
One of the largest ships in the world, the Nimitz was first deployed on July 7, 1976, to the Mediterranean, according to a Navy website on the Nimitz.
Aircraft carrier Nimitz returns to sea after maintenance stint
Two years later, the carrier was sent to the Indian Ocean after Iran took 52 U.S. hostages following an attack on the U.S. embassy in Tehran. Eventually, the carrier assisted with Operation Evening Light in an attempt to rescue those hostages, though the mission was called off after the U.S. wasn't able to secure enough helicopters to pull off the rescue. All 52 hostages were eventually released and returned to the U.S.
The carrier provided support for Operation Desert Storm in the Arabian Gulf in 1991 and Operation Southern Watch in 1993 and 1997.
Nimitz spent 12 years at Naval Station Norfolk until 1987, when it relocated to what is now Naval Base Kitsap, Washington. Then, in 2001, the Nimitz found its newest home at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, where it set off from in 2005 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism.
In 2012, the Nimitz relocated again to another homeport in Everett, Washington, and deployed in 2013 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Nimitz also etched its name in the annals of Navy lore when it fielded the Navy F-35 Lightning's first carrier landing at sea.
In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nimitz embarked on a historically long 341-day deployment — the longest since the Vietnam War — and returned home in March 2021.
'Nimitz, in its 50th year of service, continues and celebrates its legacy of strengthening alliances and partnerships, demonstrating the power of teamwork and cooperation in maintaining peace and security,' the Navy release said.
The Nimitz will eventually return to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, in 2026, before it is set to be decommissioned.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

USS Gravely returns to Naval Station Norfolk
USS Gravely returns to Naval Station Norfolk

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

USS Gravely returns to Naval Station Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) is set to return to Naval Station Norfolk on Monday. Gravely's return follows a nearly three-month long deployment for southern border operations, where it was tasked with assisting the coast guard and homeland security to prevent the flow of illegal drugs and activity. 10 On Your Side will be in attendance for the homecoming and will provide more updates throughout the day. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

D-Day anniversary events remember the ‘Bedford Boys'
D-Day anniversary events remember the ‘Bedford Boys'

Yahoo

time5 hours ago

  • Yahoo

D-Day anniversary events remember the ‘Bedford Boys'

BEDFORD, Va. (WFXR) — The anniversary of D-Day is a particularly somber one for the Town of Bedford, which has been home to the National D-Day Memorial since 2001. The town lost 20 young men while they were storming the beaches of Normandy, giving Bedford, a town of just over 3,200 at the time, the highest per capita death toll from D-Day. Executive Director of the Bedford Boys Tribute Center Ken Parker says 19 of those men were killed within the first nine minutes, without ever having fired a shot. 'They gave up all their tomorrows for our today,' said Parker. 'They perpetually teach us that freedom is not free.' At the National D-Day Memorial, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin spoke in front of hundreds, including 10 of the few surviving World War II veterans. He called on listeners to remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives that day, many of whom, he pointed out, were barely old enough to graduate high school at the time. Clarence 'Bill' Wenzel was one of those men, just 17 at the time he joined the Navy during World War II. On Friday morning, he recalled the moment he was notified that he had been drafted. National D-Day memorial in Bedford commemorates 80th anniversary of D-Day 'I didn't like being drafted to go to war, because I was raised by a pastor,' said Wenzel. 'I was taught to love everybody and now here I'm being trained on how to kill another human being.' Later in the day, dozens gathered outside the Bedford County Courthouse for the annual wreath-laying ceremony for those 20 'Bedford Boys.' On the 10-year anniversary of D-Day, roughly 5,000 met at the courthouse for the dedication of a memorial stone shipped from France to honor the boys. Every year over the next four decades, two of the surviving 'Bedford Boys,' met at the stone to lay an ivy wreath at its base in honor of their fallen brothers. On the 81st anniversary, the town carried on that tradition, as relatives of those two men had the honor of placing the ivy wreath by the stone, while the descendants of the fallen 'Bedford Boys,' looked on. 'It's without a doubt the highlight of our entire year,' said Parker. 'To pay homage and respect to our beloved Bedford Boys.' Finally, at 6:44 p.m., a nod to June of 1944, all the church bells in town rang for one minute, while the bell atop the courthouse rang once for each of the 'Bedford Boys,' that laid down their lives in service of their country. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

USS Comstock returns to San Diego after 3-month mission in Indo-Pacific
USS Comstock returns to San Diego after 3-month mission in Indo-Pacific

Yahoo

time11 hours ago

  • Yahoo

USS Comstock returns to San Diego after 3-month mission in Indo-Pacific

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The USS Comstock returned to its homeport in San Diego on Thursday after a three month mission in the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. Navy reports. Marines and sailors aboard the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) returned to Naval Base San Diego on Thursday after a three-month mission to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in the Indo-Pacific. The Navy says 115 U.S. Marines and Sailors from Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division also embarked Comstock during the deployment. While in U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy says the Comstock participated in exercises Tiger Triumph in India and Balikatan 25 in the Philippines. 'Our ship's successful completion of Tiger Triumph and Balikatan 2025 is a testament to the dedication, resilience, and skill of our crew,' said Cmdr. Byron Stocks, the commanding officer of the Comstock. 'Together, we strengthened partnerships, honed our readiness, and proudly represented our nation on the world stage.' The Tiger Triumph featured 3,000 personnel, two warships, and seven aircraft, the Navy reports. The Comstock, with embarked U.S. Marines, worked alongside Indian counterparts for two weeks during the exercise. The Navy says the Tiger Triumph gave participating forces the opportunity to refine humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, conduct amphibious beach landings and build relationships and camaraderie through cultural exchanges. 'The tireless work ethic of the U.S. and Indian Armed Forces at all levels directly contributed to the successful execution of the amphibious landing,' said U.S. Marine Capt. Erik Ayala, commander of troops for Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. 'This success highlights the cohesion we currently have with our Indian Partners and will enable us to build on the complexity in the future.' After completing the Tiger Triumph exercise, the Comstock participated in exercise Balikatan 25 from April 25-29 alongside the Philippine Navy and the Japan Maritime Defense Force, according to the Navy. In addition to humanitarian projects and logistics operations, the Navy says the exercise featured a Full Battle Test, which combines all domains — air, land, sea, space and cyber, while the group sail tested maritime maneuvers and validated interoperability of doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures at sea. The USS Comstock (LSD 45) is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship homeported in San Diego. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store