Editing USS Nimitz

{{short description|US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{stack begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin| infobox caption = yes}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = File:USS Nimitz (CVN-68).jpg
| Ship caption = USS ''Nimitz'' (CVN-68) off the coast of [[San Diego]] in July 2009.
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship country = United States
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|United States|naval}}
| Ship name = ''Nimitz''
| Ship namesake = [[Chester W. Nimitz]]
| Ship ordered = 31 March 1967
| Ship builder = [[Newport News Shipbuilding]]
| Ship laid down = 22 June 1968
| Ship launched = 13 May 1972
|Ship acquired= 11 April 1975
| Ship purchased = 
| Ship commissioned = 3 May 1975
| Ship decommissioned = 
<!-- | Ship in service = 10 -->
| Ship out of service = 
| Ship reclassified = CVN-68, 30 June 1975
| Ship captured = 
| Ship status = {{ship in active service}}
| Ship struck = 
| Ship reinstated = 
| Ship homeport = [[Naval Base Kitsap]]
| Ship identification = *{{MMSI Number|303981000}}
*[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: NMTZ
*{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Mike}}{{ICS|Tango}}{{ICS|Zulu}}
*[[Hull classification symbol|Hull number]]: CVN-68
| Ship motto = ''Teamwork, a Tradition''
| Ship nickname = *''Old Salt''
*''Uncle Chester''
*''BOHICA''
| Ship notes = 
| Ship badge = [[File:USS Nimitz CVN-68 Crest.svg|150px]]
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship class = {{Sclass|Nimitz|aircraft carrier}}
| Ship displacement = {{convert|100020|LT|ST}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Polmar |first=Norman |author-link=Norman Polmar |title=The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. fleet |date=2004 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland  |page=112 |url={{google books|8MwyTX-iA2wC|page=112|plainurl=yes}} |isbn=978-1-59114-685-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usna.edu/NAOE/_files/documents/Courses/EN400/04.04%20CVN.pdf|title=CVN-68: NIMITZ CLASS}}</ref>
| Ship length = {{Nimitz class aircraft carrier length}}
| Ship beam = {{Nimitz class aircraft carrier beam}}
| Ship draft = {{Nimitz class aircraft carrier draught}}
| Ship propulsion = {{Nimitz class aircraft carrier propulsion}}
| Ship speed = {{convert|31.5|kn|lk=in}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Slade |first=Stuart |title=Speed Thrills III – Max speed of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers |url=http://www.navweaps.com/index_tech/tech-028.htm |website=NavWeaps |date=29 April 1999 |access-date=10 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111185343/http://www.navweaps.com/index_tech/tech-028.htm |archive-date=11 January 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Ship range = {{Nuclear ship range}}
| Ship capacity = 
| Ship complement = {{Nimitz class aircraft carrier complement}}
| Ship time to activate = 
| Ship sensors = {{Nimitz class aircraft carrier sensors I}}
| Ship EW = {{Nimitz class aircraft carrier EW}}
| Ship armament = *2 × [[Sea Sparrow]]
* 2 × [[RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile]]
* 2 × PHALANX [[CIWS]] (Close-In Weapons System) Gatling guns
* 4 × MK 38 25mm autocannon turrets
* 10 × .50 cal turret emplacements
| Ship armor = {{Nimitz class aircraft carrier armour}}
| Ship aircraft = {{Nimitz class aircraft carrier aircraft}}
}}
|}
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'''USS ''Nimitz'' (CVN-68)''' is an [[aircraft carrier]] of the [[United States Navy]], and the [[lead ship]] of [[Nimitz-class aircraft carrier|her class]]. One of the largest [[warship]]s in the world, she was laid down, launched, and commissioned as '''CVAN-68''', "aircraft carrier, attack, [[Nuclear propulsion|nuclear powered]]", but she was later [[Hull classification symbol|redesignated]] as '''CVN-68''', "aircraft carrier, [[wikt:multimission|multi-mission]], nuclear-powered", on 30 June 1975, as part of a [[United States Navy 1975 ship reclassification|fleet-wide realignment that year]].

The ship was named after [[World War II]] Pacific fleet commander [[Chester W. Nimitz]], USN, (1885–1966), who was the Navy's third [[Fleet Admiral (United States)|fleet admiral]]. It is the only Nimitz-class carrier whose official name is just the surname of the person its named for.  ''Nimitz'' had her homeport at [[Naval Station Norfolk]] until 1987, when she was relocated to [[Naval Station Bremerton]] in [[Washington (state)|Washington]] (now part of [[Naval Base Kitsap]]). Following her [[Refueling and Complex Overhaul]] in 2001, her home port was changed to [[Naval Air Station North Island]] in [[San Diego County, California]]. The home port of ''Nimitz'' was again moved to [[Naval Station Everett]] in Washington in 2012.

In January 2015, ''Nimitz'' changed home port from Everett back to [[Naval Base Kitsap]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/local-news/uss-nimitz-arriving-today-for-long-maintenance-period_26473164 |title=Nimitz finally arrives for long maintenance period |date=13 January 2015 |publisher=Kitsap Sun |access-date=16 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007110628/http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/local-news/uss-nimitz-arriving-today-for-long-maintenance-period_26473164 |archive-date=7 October 2015 }}</ref> With the inactivation of {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6}} in 2012 and decommissioning in 2017, ''Nimitz'' is now the oldest U.S. aircraft carrier in service, and the oldest serving aircraft carrier in the world.

==Construction==
[[File:180622-N-N0101-1001 (42390368114).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Catherine Nimitz Lay christens ''Nimitz'' on 13 May 1972]]

''Nimitz'' was authorized by the [[U.S. Congress]] in [[fiscal year]] 1967 and [[Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co.]] in [[Newport News, Virginia]], was awarded the $106.5 million contract (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|106.5|1967|r=2}} million today). The [[keel]] was [[laid down]] on 22 June 1968. The vessel was christened on 13 May 1972, by Catherine Nimitz Lay, the daughter of the late [[Admiral Nimitz]], six years after his death. ''Nimitz'' was delivered to the Navy in 1975, and was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] at [[Naval Station Norfolk]] on 3 May 1975, by the 38th President of the United States, [[Gerald R. Ford]].<ref name=DANFS/>

==''Nimitz''  Carrier Strike Group==
''Nimitz'' is part of [[Carrier Strike Group Eleven|Carrier Strike Group Eleven (CSG-11)]] with [[Carrier Air Wing Seventeen|Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17)]] embarked, with ''Nimitz'' as the [[flagship]] of the strike group and the home of the commander of Destroyer Squadron 9.

===Ships of Destroyer Squadron 9===
* {{USS|Curtis Wilbur|DDG-54}}
* {{USS|Fitzgerald |DDG-62}}
* {{USS|Gridley|DDG-101}}
* {{USS|Sampson|DDG-102}}

===Squadrons of CVW-17===
[[File:USS Nimitz Air Power Demonstration.webm|thumb|USS ''Nimitz'' Air Power Demonstration]]
* Strike Fighter Squadron 22 ([[VFA-22]]) "Fighting Redcocks" with [[Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet]]s
* Strike Fighter Squadron 94 ([[VFA-94]]) "Mighty Shrikes" with F/A-18E Super Hornets
* Strike Fighter Squadron 137 ([[VFA-137]]) "Kestrels" with F/A-18E Super Hornets
* Strike Fighter Squadron 146 ([[VFA-146]]) "Blue Diamonds" with F/A-18E Super Hornets
* Electronic Attack Squadron 139 ([[VAQ-139]]) "Cougars" with [[Boeing EA-18G Growler]]s
* Carrier Airborne Command & Control Squadron 121 ([[VAW-121]]) "Bluetails" with [[Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye|Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes]]
* Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 6 ([[HSC-6]]) "Screaming Indians" with [[Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk]]s
* Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 ([[HSM-73]]) "Battle Cats" with MH-60R Seahawks
* Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 Detachment 3 ([[VRC-40]]) "Rawhides" with [[Grumman C-2 Greyhound]]

==Service history==
===1970s===
<!--[[File:HMS Blake (C99) and USS Nimitz (CVN-68) underway in the English Channel on 4 October 1975 (K-110412).jpg|thumb|''Nimitz'' operating in the [[English Channel]] with {{HMS|Blake|C99|6}} in 1975]]-->
[[File:USS Nimitz (CVN-68) with California (CGN-36) and South Carolina (CGN-37) c1976.jpg|thumb|''Nimitz'' on her first deployment in 1976 alongside nuclear-powered cruisers {{USS|California|CGN-36|2}} and {{USS|South Carolina|CGN-37|2}}.]]
[[File:HMS Ark Royal USS Nimitz Norfolk1 1978.jpeg|thumb|''Nimitz'' (''right'') alongside {{HMS|Ark Royal|R09|6}} at Norfolk Naval Station in August 1978.]]
USS ''Nimitz'' first deployed to the [[Mediterranean Sea]] on 7 July 1976, with [[Carrier Air Wing 8]] embarked in company with the nuclear-powered [[cruiser]]s {{USS|South Carolina|CGN-37|6}} and {{USS|California|CGN-36|6}}. In November 1976, ''Nimitz'' was awarded the [[Battle "E"]] from [[Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet]], for being the most efficient and foremost aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Fleet. The cruise was uneventful, and the carrier returned to [[Norfolk, Virginia]] on 7 February 1977.

A second uneventful Mediterranean cruise was conducted from 1 December 1977, to 20 July 1978. The third deployment began on 10 September 1979, to the Mediterranean. The ship moved to the Indian Ocean in response to the [[Iran hostage crisis]] in which the U.S. Embassy in [[Tehran]], [[Iran]], was overtaken and 52 hostages were held. Prior to this trip, the ship took part in the shooting of the 1980 film ''[[The Final Countdown (film)|The Final Countdown]]'', whose story was specifically set aboard the ''Nimitz''. After four months on station, [[Operation Evening Light]] was launched from ''Nimitz''{{'}}s decks in an attempt to rescue the U.S. Embassy staff. The mission was aborted after a helicopter crashed at a refueling point in the Iranian desert. The ship returned home 26 May 1980, having spent 144 days at sea.

===1980s===
On 26 May 1981, a [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] [[EA-6B Prowler]] assigned to [[Carrier Air Wing 8]] (CVW-8) crashed on the flight deck, killing 14 crewmen and injuring 45 others.<ref name="time">{{cite magazine |last1=Anderson |first1=Kurt |last2=Beaty |first2=Jonathan |title=Night of Flaming Terror |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=8 June 1981 |url=https://time.com/archive/6856420/night-of-flaming-terror/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201133400/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,922544-1,00.html |archive-date=1 February 2009 |access-date=7 February 2025}}{{void|Fabrickator|comment|archive copy of the "full story" link results in a popup that may block some of the content; OTOH, the archive copy of the link to the original story definitely omits some of the content}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The Prowler was fuel-critical after a "bolter" (missed approach), and its crash and the subsequent fire and explosions destroyed or damaged nineteen other aircraft.<ref name="USS Nimitz crash">{{cite web|title=ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 77226|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=77226|website=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210072214/https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=77226|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Gero |first=David |title=Military Aviation Disasters |url={{google books|-4YgAQAAIAAJ|page=131|plainurl=yes}} |year=1999 |publisher=Patrick Stephens, an Inprint of Haynes Publishing |location=Yeovil, UK |isbn=1-85260-574-X |pages=131–132}}</ref> Autopsies showed later that the pilot had had six times the normal level of the stimulant [[brompheniramine]] in his blood.<ref>Raphael C. Wong and Harley Y. Tse, ''Drugs of Abuse: Body Fluid Testing'' (Humana Press, 2005) p3</ref>
Despite having no connection to the accident, the media focused on the autopsy results of several members of the ''Nimitz''{{'}}s enlisted flight deck crew who were killed, who [[drug test|tested positive]] for [[marijuana]]. In an article by Robert Reinhold in the 17 June 1981, edition of ''[[The New York Times]]'', it was reported that "Experts at the National Institute on Drug Abuse say that it would probably be impossible to establish conclusively that any of the Nimitz crew had been smoking marijuana on the night of the crash because the test does not directly detect the component of marijuana smoke that acts on the brain. Because the metabolites may persist in the blood for many days, the test may detect marijuana that was used many days earlier long after the effects have worn off".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/17/us/congressman-says-most-killed-in-nimitz-crash-showed-traces-of-drugs.html |title=Congressman Says Most Killed in Nimitz Crash Showed Traces of Drugs |first=Robert |last=Reinhold |newspaper=The New York Times |date=17 June 1981 |access-date=30 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810132752/http://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/17/us/congressman-says-most-killed-in-nimitz-crash-showed-traces-of-drugs.html |archive-date=10 August 2017 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>  As a result, President [[Ronald Reagan]] instituted a [[Zero Tolerance drug policy|"Zero Tolerance" drug policy]] across all of the U.S. armed services, which started the mandatory drug testing of all U.S. military personnel.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ackerman |first=D. L. |date=1991 |chapter=A History of Drug Testing |editor-first1=Robert H. |editor-last1=Coombs |editor-first2=Louis Jolyon |editor-last2=West |title=Drug testing: Issues and options |pages=[https://archive.org/details/drugtestingissue00coom/page/n32 3]–21 |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-1950-5414-9 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/drugtestingissue00coom }}</ref>
[[File:USS Nimitz (CVN-68) flight deck after 1981 EA-6B crash.jpeg|thumb|left|Wreck of an EA-6B Prowler after it crashed during a night landing, 1981.]]

''Nimitz'' deployed again to the Mediterranean on 3 August 1981. The ship, in company with {{USS|Forrestal|CV-59|6}}, conducted a [[Freedom of Navigation]] exercise in international waters in the [[Gulf of Sidra]] near [[Libya]] on 18 and 19 August 1981. On the morning of 19 August 1981, two [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat]]s of [[VFA-41|VF-41]] were engaged by two Libyan [[Sukhoi Su-22|Su-22s]], resulting in the two Libyan aircraft being shot down in what became known as the [[Gulf of Sidra incident (1981)|Gulf of Sidra incident]].

''Nimitz''{{'}}s fourth deployment, from 10 November 1982, to 20 May 1983, was to the [[Caribbean Sea]] and the Mediterranean Sea. ''Nimitz'' deployed for a fifth time on 8 March 1985. On 14 June 1985, two Lebanese gunmen hijacked [[TWA Flight 847]], which carried 153 passengers and crew and included Americans. In response, ''Nimitz'' was deployed to the coast of [[Lebanon]], where the ship remained until August 1985. The embarked Airwing 8 flew continuous sorties for 67 days, bombing several sites in [[Beirut]] including the runways of [[Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport]]. The ship returned to Norfolk on 4 October 1985.

''Nimitz'', again with CVW-8 embarked, departed Norfolk for the sixth and final Mediterranean deployment on 30 December 1986. After four months and numerous Mediterranean port visits, the carrier crossed the equator en route to [[Rio de Janeiro]]. From Rio de Janeiro, she proceeded south around [[Cape Horn]] and into the [[Pacific Ocean]]. After a brief stop in [[San Diego]], to offload the East Coast air wing, ''Nimitz'' arrived at her new home port of [[Bremerton, Washington]], on 2 July 1987.

''Nimitz'' deployed to the Western Pacific with [[Carrier Air Wing 9]] embarked on 2 September 1988. During the [[1988 Summer Olympics|1988 Olympic Games]] in [[Seoul]], ''Nimitz'' provided security off the coast of [[South Korea]], then in October, operated in the [[North Arabian Sea]] participating in [[Operation Earnest Will]], the protection of reflagged [[Kuwait]]i tankers. On 30 November 1988, while in the Arabian Sea, a 20&nbsp;mm cannon accidentally fired during maintenance, striking a [[KA-6 Intruder]]. The ensuing fire spread to six other aircraft, and two sailors were killed. ''Nimitz'' returned to Bremerton on 2 March 1989.

===1990s===
On 25 February 1991, ''Nimitz'' departed Bremerton for the [[Persian Gulf]] in relief of {{USS|Ranger|CV-61|6}} in the aftermath of [[Operation Desert Storm]], returning to Bremerton on 24 August 1991. ''Nimitz'' again deployed to the Persian Gulf on 1 February 1993, in support of [[Operation Southern Watch]], returning on 1 August 1993.
[[File:Nimitz with Independence.jpg|thumb|''Nimitz'' (''left'') cruising with {{USS|Independence|CV-62|2}} and {{USS|Port Royal|CG-73|2}} in the [[Sea of Japan]] in September 1997.]]
On 27 November 1995, ''Nimitz'' deployed to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf with Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9). In March 1996, the ship patrolled the waters off [[Taiwan]] amid [[Third Taiwan Strait Crisis|missile tests conducted by the Chinese]] in the area, becoming the first American warship to pass through the [[Taiwan Strait]] since 1976. ''Nimitz'' also cruised the Persian Gulf in support of Southern Watch prior to returning from deployment on 20 May 1996.

Between 14 and 24 July 1997, ''Nimitz'' participated in Joint Task Force Exercise 97-2 (JTFEX 97–2) off the coast of southern California, which also served as a "Revolution in Strike Warfare" demonstration. The latter event was designed to demonstrate the capability of an aircraft carrier and an embarked air wing to project carrier-based airpower into littoral warfare.<ref name=DANFS>{{cite DANFS |title=Nimitz |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/n/nimitz.html |date=8 May 2009 |access-date=28 April 2015}}</ref> On 20 July 1997, ''Nimitz'' and Carrier Air Wing Nine began a high-intensity strike campaign. When flight operations were completed four days later, ''Nimitz'' and Carrier Air Wing Nine had carried out 771 strike sorties while dropping 1,337 bombs on target. Carrier Air Wing Nine flew 975 fixed-wing sorties during this four-day surge operation. Almost 80 percent of the sorties flown were strike sorties, with strike support accounting for another 10 percent. [[F/A-18|F/A-18 Hornet strike fighters]] flew nearly 80 percent of the strike sorties. Of the 771 strike sorties, 727 were loaded with ordnance, while 44 were electronic support by [[EA-6B Prowler]]s. During this four-day period, only a portion of the medium-range interdiction strikes required tanking support. [[KC-135]] and [[KC-130]] tanker aircraft provided most of this support. [[S-3 Viking]]s conducted recovery tanking and supplied more than one-third of the fuel passed to Carrier Air Wing Nine aircraft during this surge operation.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Angelyn |last1=Jewell |display-authors=etal |title=USS ''Nimitz'' and Carrier Airwing Nine Surge Demonstration |url=http://cna.org/sites/default/files/research/2797011110.pdf |publisher=[[Center for Naval Analyses]] |location=[[Alexandria, Virginia]] |access-date=18 July 2012 |postscript=none |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019094319/http://cna.org/sites/default/files/research/2797011110.pdf |archive-date=19 October 2013 }}, pp 3–5</ref><ref name="USNIblog08272009">{{cite web |last=Pritchett |first=Raymond (blogging as Galrahn) |title=The Monster Myths of the CVL Concept |url=http://blog.usni.org/2009/08/27/the-monster-myths-of-the-cvl-concept/ |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |date=27 August 2009 |access-date=20 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427091809/http://blog.usni.org/2009/08/27/the-monster-myths-of-the-cvl-concept/ |archive-date=27 April 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> This surge had been preceded by a 16-hour preparation after undergoing four days that had generated about 700 fixed-winged sorties.<ref name=USNIblog08272009/><ref>Jewell, Angelyn et al., pp. 5–6.</ref> A following study by the [[Center for Naval Analyses]] determined that ''Nimitz'' and Carrier Air Wing Nine could have maintained this high-sortie operational tempo for another twelve to twenty-four hours before requiring equipment maintenance, rest for the crews while ordnance and aviation fuel stocks to be replenished.<ref>Jewell, Angelyn et al., pp. 146–149.</ref>

On 1 September 1997, ''Nimitz'' began an around the world cruise, again supporting Southern Watch, which ended in [[Newport News, Virginia]] on 2 March 1998. She next spent the next three years undergoing a nuclear Refueling and Complex Overhaul that ended on 25 June 2001.

===2000s===
[[File:USS Nimitz (CVN-68) Data about the ship.jpg|thumb|Monitor showing data about ''Nimitz'']]
[[File:US Navy 070704-N-4420S-123 Lt. Cmdr. David Bynum, a Navy chaplain aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68), passes out happy face sponge balls to the students of CSI High School for the Deaf during a community relations visit.jpg|thumb|Lt. Cmdr. David Bynum, a Navy chaplain aboard ''Nimitz'', passes out happy face sponge balls to the students of CSI High School for the Deaf in [[Chennai]], India during a community relations visit in July 2007]]

On 21 September 2001,<ref name=UScarriers>{{cite web |title=USS NIMITZ CVN 68 |url=http://www.uscarriers.net/cvn68history.htm |website=US Carriers |access-date=28 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427041940/http://www.uscarriers.net/cvn68history.htm |archive-date=27 April 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> after sea trials in the Virginia Capes, ''Nimitz'' began to transit around South America to the new home port of [[NAS North Island]] in [[San Diego]], [[California]], arriving there on 13 November 2001. Aircraft from [[Tactical Support Wing|Carrier Air Reserve Wing 20]] were embarked for the transit. From January to May 2002, a four-month post-shakedown maintenance availability was completed at North Island; during this time [[Advanced combat direction system|Advanced Combat Direction System]] was installed.

''Nimitz''{{'}}s eleventh operational deployment began on 3 March 2003.<ref>{{cite press release |last=DeHoux |first=Kristine |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=6720 |title=''Nimitz'' Carrier Strike Group Joins Others Deployed to 5th Fleet |agency=Navy News Service |publisher=USS Nimitz Public Affairs |location=USS ''Nimitz'', at sea |date=7 April 2003 |access-date=30 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912165227/https://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=6720 |archive-date=12 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The group relieved {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6}} in the Persian Gulf in mid-April 2003, launching [[Carrier Air Wing 11]] aircraft sorties over [[Iraq]] in support of [[2003 invasion of Iraq|Operation Iraqi Freedom]] (OIF) and [[Afghanistan]] in support of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] (OEF). She returned to San Diego on 5 November 2003. ''Nimitz'' and CVW-11 were awarded the 2003 Battle "E"<ref>{{cite press release |last=Arendes |first=Ahron |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=12854 |title=''Nimitz'' Earns Coveted Battle "E" |agency=Navy News Service |publisher=USS Nimitz Public Affairs |location=North Island, California |date=19 April 2004 |access-date=30 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912165523/https://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=12854 |archive-date=12 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Flatley Award]] in early 2004.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=13586 |title=''Nimitz'', CVW-11 Win 2003 Flatley Award |first=Ahron |last=Arendes |agency=Navy News Service |publisher=USS Nimitz Public Affairs |location=North Island, California |date=3 June 2004 |access-date=30 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912164818/https://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=13586 |archive-date=12 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In November 2004, ''Nimitz'' was contacted by {{USS|Princeton|CG-59|6}}, which was tracking reported [[unidentified flying objects]]. ''Princeton'' subsequently contacted two Navy F/A-18F fighters from ''Nimitz'' whose cockpit instrumentation recorded data and imagery that some pilots interpreted as [[Pentagon UFO videos|an object accelerating and maneuvering at extraordinary speeds]]. The incident was publicized in December 2017 along with details of the [[Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program]].<ref name="NYT-20171216">{{cite news |last1=Cooper |first1=Helene |author-link1=Helene Cooper |last2=Kean |first2=Leslie |last3=Blumenthal |first3=Ralph |author-link3=Ralph Blumenthal |title=2 Navy Airmen and an Object That 'Accelerated Like Nothing I've Ever Seen' |url=https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/us/politics/unidentified-flying-object-navy.html |date=16 December 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=17 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217013047/https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/us/politics/unidentified-flying-object-navy.html |archive-date=17 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Nimitz'', again with CVW-11 embarked, deployed to the [[Persian Gulf]] on 7 May 2005, returning on 8 November 2005.<ref>{{cite press release |author=Commander, U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=18250 |title=USS ''Nimitz'' Strike Group Deploys |location=San Diego, California |agency=Navy News Service |date=9 May 2005 |access-date=30 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912165530/https://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=18250 |archive-date=12 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This deployment marked three decades of service, and was depicted in the [[Emmy]] award-winning 2008 [[PBS]] documentary series ''[[Carrier (documentary)|Carrier]]''.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=36564 |title=''Nimitz'' Highlighted in PBS TV Series and Premiere |first=Alexia M. |last=Riveracorrea |agency=Navy News Service |publisher=Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific |location=North Island, California |date=23 April 2008 |access-date=2 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626042145/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=36564 |archive-date=26 June 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In June 2006, ''Nimitz'' was awarded the 2005 Battle "E".<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=24071 |title=''Nimitz'' Named Best in Pacific Fleet |first=Felix |last=Crosser |agency=Navy News Service |publisher=USS Nimitz Public Affairs |location=San Diego, California |date=9 June 2006 |access-date=30 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912165620/https://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=24071 |archive-date=12 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The carrier departed North Island for her thirteenth deployment on 2 April 2007, to the Arabian Sea, relieving {{USS|Dwight D. Eisenhower|CVN-69|6}} in support of OIF.<ref>{{cite press release |author=''Nimitz'' Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=29519 |title=''Nimitz'' Carrier Strike Group Arrives in 5th Fleet |agency=Navy News Service |location=USS ''Nimitz'', at sea |publisher=US Navy |date=22 May 2007 |access-date=30 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912165108/https://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=29519 |archive-date=12 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The carrier anchored off [[Chennai]], India on 2 July 2007, as part of efforts to expand bilateral defense cooperation between India and the United States.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/USS-Nimitz-not-known-to-be-carrying-nuke-warheads/articleshow/2151475.cms |title=USS ''Nimitz'' not known to be carrying nuke warheads |work=[[The Times of India]] |location=New Delhi, India |date=26 June 2007 |access-date=28 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106104205/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-06-26/india/27980433_1_defence-ministry-uss-nimitz-indian-waters |archive-date=6 January 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sailors participated in community work in Chennai prior to departing, on 5 July 2007, along with the destroyer {{USS|Pinckney|DDG-91|6}} towards the Persian Gulf, and then returned to North Island on 30 September 2007.<ref>{{cite press release |last=Diaz |first=Dustin Q. |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=32232 |title=''Nimitz'' Returns to San Diego Following Successful Deployment |agency=Navy News Service |publisher=USS Nimitz Public Affairs |location=San Diego, California |date=2 October 2007 |access-date=30 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604162314/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=32232 |archive-date=4 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 24 January 2008, ''Nimitz'' deployed to the Pacific for a "surge"-deployment.<ref>{{cite press release |author=Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34414 |title=''Nimitz'' Carrier Strike Group Set to Deploy |location=San Diego, California |agency=Navy News Service |date=18 January 2008 |access-date=10 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122112209/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34414 |archive-date=22 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 9 February 2008, two Russian [[Tupolev Tu-95|Tu-95 'Bear']] bombers overflew the carrier in the Western Pacific.<ref name="msnbc"/> Four F/A-18C Hornets were launched when the bombers were {{convert|500|mi|km}} away from the US ships, and intercepted the bombers {{convert|50|mi|km}} south of ''Nimitz''. Two F/A-18s trailed one of the bombers, which twice flew over the deck of the carrier at an altitude of {{convert|2000|ft|m}}, while the other two F/A-18s trailed another Tu-95 circling about {{convert|50|mi|km}} away from the carrier. Reportedly, there was no radio communication between the American and Russian aircraft. According to the [[Department of Defense]], one of the two aircraft was said to have flown above ''Nimitz'' at an altitude of {{convert|2000|ft|m}}. On the same day, Russian aircraft entered Japanese airspace, which caused the Japanese to raise protest to the Russian ambassador in Tokyo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/us-carrier-intercepts-russian-bombers/ |title=U.S. Carrier Intercepts Russian Bombers |last=Nizza |first=Mike |date=12 February 2008 |access-date=16 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214031754/http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/us-carrier-intercepts-russian-bombers/ |archive-date=14 December 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Again, on 5 March 2008, a Russian bomber came within {{convert|3|to|5|nmi|km|0}} and flew {{convert|2000|ft|m}} above ''Nimitz'', and the battle group. Two F/A-18 fighters intercepted the Russian aircraft and escorted it out of the area.<ref name="msnbc">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23490503|title=Russian bomber intercepted near U.S. ship|publisher=[[MSNBC]]|date=5 March 2008|access-date=6 March 2008|agency=Reuters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306161849/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23490503/|archive-date=6 March 2008|url-status=live}}{{failed verification|date=August 2012}}</ref>

''Nimitz'' was awarded the Navy Battle "E" for battle efficiency for 2007 along with the Ney award for food service excellence, and returned to her home port of San Diego on 3 June 2008.

The ''Nimitz'' Strike Group, including CVW-11, departed the States for a scheduled Western Pacific deployment on 31 July 2009,<ref>{{cite press release |author=Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=47232 |title=''Nimitz'' Strike Group Set To Deploy |location=San Diego, California |agency=Navy News Service |date=28 July 2009 |access-date=10 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803225919/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=47232 |archive-date=3 August 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and began to fly combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 21 September.<ref>{{cite press release |author=USS ''Nimitz'' and USS ''Ronald Reagan'' Public Affairs |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48373 |title=USS ''Nimitz'' Launches First Sorties, Support Coalition Troops in Afghanistan |location=Gulf of Oman |agency=Navy News Service |date=21 September 2009 |access-date=10 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923163907/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48373 |archive-date=23 September 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===2010s===
[[File:121006-N-RC246-185.jpg|thumb|150px|left|An [[Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey|MV-22 Osprey]] of [[VMM-165]] lands on ''Nimitz'' in October 2012]]
In January 2010, while in the Persian Gulf, the ship was awarded the [[Meritorious Unit Commendation]] for back-to-back deployments in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008. The award was presented by Admiral [[Gary Roughead]] in a ceremony on the ship on 6 January 2010.<ref>{{cite news |last=Liewer |first=Steve |title=Meritorious Unit Honor Presented To ''Nimitz'' Crew |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2010/jan/12/meritorious-unit-honor-presented-nimitz-crew/ |newspaper=[[San Diego Union-Tribune]] |date=12 January 2010}}</ref>

''Nimitz'' visited [[Hong Kong]] for five days in February 2010 to allow the crew to rest and visit the city. The visit occurred despite China previously preventing a visit by the carrier {{USS|Kitty Hawk|CV-63|6}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8511912.stm |title=China decries Barack Obama's plan to meet Dalai Lama |date=12 February 2010 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=2 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213052534/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8511912.stm |archive-date=13 February 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nguoi-viet.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=108496&z=5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221124857/http://www.nguoi-viet.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=108496&z=5 |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 February 2010 |title=Chiến hạm Hoa Kỳ ghé Hong Kong cùng lúc đức Đạt Lai Lạt Ma tới Hoa Kỳ |trans-title=US warships visit Hong Kong at the same time the Dalai Lama to the United States |language=vi }}</ref>

On 9 December 2010, the Navy formally announced that [[Everett, Washington]] was to be the new home port for ''Nimitz''.<ref name="NNS101209-21">{{cite press release |author=Department of Defense |title=Navy Announces USS ''Nimitz'' Homeport Change to Everett, Wash. |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=57665 |agency=Navy News Service |location=Washington, DC |date=9 December 2010 |access-date=11 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122005428/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=57665 |archive-date=22 November 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This move was expected to save the Navy $100 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wwlp.com/dpps/military/USS-Nimitz-moves-to-Everett-Wash_3673242 |publisher=[[WWLP]] |date=9 December 2010 |access-date=9 December 2010 |title=USS ''Nimitz'' moves to Everett, Washington |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402065850/http://www.wwlp.com/dpps/military/USS-Nimitz-moves-to-Everett-Wash_3673242 |archive-date=2 April 2011 }}</ref> On 9 March 2012, ''Nimitz'' arrived at her new homeport of Naval Station Everett after spending nearly a week at sea conducting post overhaul sea trials.<ref>{{cite press release |first=Vanessa Y. |last=David |title=''Nimitz'' Completes Sea Trials, Arrives at New Homeport |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=65816 |agency=Navy News Service |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=USS Nimitz Public Affairs |date=9 March 2012 |access-date=20 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414124434/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=65816 |archive-date=14 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In March 2012, ''Nimitz'' arrived at the new home port of [[Naval Station Everett]] in [[Washington state]] after more than a year of maintenance work in Bremerton, replacing sister carrier, ''Abraham Lincoln''.<ref>{{cite news |first=Gale |last=Fiege |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120309/NEWS01/703099849 |title=USS ''Nimitz'' brings 2,800 sailors to Everett |newspaper=[[The Herald (Everett)|The Herald]] |date=9 March 2012 |access-date=2 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713012254/http://heraldnet.com/article/20120309/NEWS01/703099849 |archive-date=13 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 3 August 2012, ''Nimitz'' departed from Pearl Harbor after a two-day port call, arriving at NAS North Island on 9 August 2012, to begin [[Fleet Replacement Squadron]] carrier qualifications.<ref name=UScarriers/> On 6 October 2012, a [[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey]] tilt-rotor aircraft from squadron [[VMM-165]] landed and refueled on board ''Nimitz''. This operation was part of an evaluation of the feasibility of the MV-22 as a potential replacement for the [[C-2 Greyhound]] [[carrier onboard delivery]] (COD) cargo transport aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |title=MV-22 Osprey Flight Operations Tested Aboard USS ''Nimitz'' |url=http://www.avionics-intelligence.com/news/2012/10/09/mv-22-osprey-flight-operations-tested-aboard-uss-nimitz.html |work=Avionics Intelligence |publisher=PennWell Corporation |date=9 October 2012 |access-date=9 October 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |first=Renee |last=Candelario |title=MV-22 Osprey Flight Operations Tested Aboard USS ''Nimitz'' |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70031 |agency=Navy News Service |location=USS ''Nimitz'', at sea |publisher=USS Nimitz Public Affairs |date=8 October 2012 |access-date=9 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524120127/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70031 |archive-date=24 May 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Aircraft launching from USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in November 2014.JPG|thumb|A [[Grumman C-2 Greyhound|C-2 Greyhound]] of [[VRC-30]] and an [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35C Lightning II]] of [[VX-23]] ready for launching from ''Nimitz'' in November 2014; a second F-35C and an [[F/A-18F Super Hornet]] sit behind the catapults]]
[[File:USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) 130907-N-LP801-109 (9699485312).jpg|thumb|Inflatable boat approaches ''Nimitz'' during a search-and-rescue drill.]]

The BBC reported that ''Nimitz'' was located in the Persian Gulf, ready to contribute to an operation against Syria when President Obama ordered a military strike. Two days later it was reported that the carrier task group had been re-routed westwards across the Arabian Sea.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bowen |first=Jeremy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23897775 |title=France's Hollande backs US on Syria action |agency=BBC World Service |date=30 August 2013 |access-date=28 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729004147/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23897775 |archive-date=29 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Andrea |last=Shalal-Esa |date=1 September 2013 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-carrier-idUSBRE9800IT20130901 |title=USS ''Nimitz'' carrier group rerouted for possible help with Syria |location=Washington, DC |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=30 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924184147/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/01/us-syria-crisis-carrier-idUSBRE9800IT20130901 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

It was reported that ''Nimitz'', after eight months at sea, transited the Suez Canal on 20 October 2013, into the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility, where the Navy intended to keep her for a few weeks conducting joint training with allied nations before returning home.<ref>{{cite news |last=Simoes |first=Hendrick |title=USS ''Nimitz'' sent to Mediterranean |journal=Stars and Stripes |date=22 October 2013 |location=Manama, Bahrain |url=http://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/uss-nimitz-sent-to-mediterranean-1.248381 |access-date=27 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025223507/http://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/uss-nimitz-sent-to-mediterranean-1.248381 |archive-date=25 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=''Nimitz'' to Operate in Mediterranean |url=http://www.c6f.navy.mil/article648center.html |work=648 |publisher=U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs |date=21 October 2013 |access-date=27 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193119/http://www.c6f.navy.mil/article648center.html |archive-date=29 October 2013 }}</ref> ''Nimitz'' returned to Everett on 16 December 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last=de Leon |first=John |title=USS ''Nimitz'' returns to Everett after 9-month deployment |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2013/12/uss-nimitz-returns-to-everett-after-9-month-deployment |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]] |location=Everett, Washington |date=16 December 2013 |access-date=28 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202133453/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2013/12/uss-nimitz-returns-to-everett-after-9-month-deployment/ |archive-date=2 December 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In late 2014, following the completion of work up qualifications, ''Nimitz'' participated in her first deployment, a two-week multi-national fleet exercise involving the [[Third Fleet]], as well as ships from the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] and [[JMSDF]].<ref>{{cite press release |last=Agee |first=Kelly |title=''Nimitz'' to Participate Alongside Canadian, Japanese, other US Ships in Task Group Exercise |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=83960 |agency=Navy News Service |location=San Diego, California |publisher=USS Nimitz Public Affairs |date=20 October 2014 |access-date=4 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206203650/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=83960 |archive-date=6 December 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Following the conclusion of the exercise, on 3 November the first [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35C Lightning II]] to land on an aircraft carrier recovered aboard ''Nimitz'' to begin a two-week Development Testing I deployment. This saw a pair of aircraft from [[VX-23]] undertaking carrier operations of launch, recovery and handling aboard ship in both day and night conditions.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84238 |title=F-35C Completes First Arrested Landing aboard Aircraft Carrier |author=Naval Air Forces, Public Affairs |agency=Navy News Service |location=San Diego, California |date=3 November 2014 |access-date=28 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141201200619/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84238 |archive-date=1 December 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Dave |last=Majumdar |url=http://news.usni.org/2014/11/03/u-s-navy-version-f-35-lands-carrier-first-time |title=U.S. Navy Version of F-35 Lands on Carrier for First Time |journal=USNI News |publisher=U.S. Naval Institute |date=3 November 2014 |access-date=28 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207030813/http://news.usni.org/2014/11/03/u-s-navy-version-f-35-lands-carrier-first-time |archive-date=7 December 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> The initial deployment was completed on 14 November 2014.<ref>{{cite press release |author=Commander, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84481 |title=F-35C Completes Initial Sea Trials aboard Aircraft Carrier |location=San Diego, California |agency=Navy News Service |date=17 November 2014 |access-date=4 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129064853/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84481 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2015, ''Nimitz'' transferred to Bremerton to undergo a 16-month maintenance cycle.<ref>{{cite news |author=Herald staff |title=''Nimitz'' moving to Bremerton for 16 months of maintenance |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140624/NEWS01/140629578 |location=Everett, Washington |date=24 June 2014 |access-date=4 December 2014 |newspaper=The Herald |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208111954/http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140624/NEWS01/140629578 |archive-date=8 December 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 1 June 2017, ''Nimitz'' left [[Naval Base Kitsap]] for her next scheduled deployment.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=100818|title=USS Nimitz, USS Shoup and USS Kidd Depart for Deployment|date=1 June 2017|publisher=[[United States Navy]]|access-date=2 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024141328/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=100818|archive-date=24 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> This deployment was against [[ISIS]] in Iraq and Syria. Her F/A-18s played an important role in the [[Battle of Tal Afar (2017)|Battle of Tal Afar]], providing precision air support for advancing Iraqi soldiers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/02/world/middleeast/isis-iraq-fight.html |title=ISIS Is on Its Heels, but Fighting to the Death |first=Helene |last=Cooper |author-link1=Helene Cooper |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2 September 2017 |access-date=30 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024033256/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/02/world/middleeast/isis-iraq-fight.html |archive-date=24 October 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 1 March 2018, ''Nimitz'' entered [[dry dock]] at [[Puget Sound Naval Shipyard]] for ten months of overhaul.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/2018/03/01/uss-nimitz-dry-dock/379655002/ |title=USS Nimitz enters shipyard's dry dock for a year of maintenance |first=Julianne |last=Stanford |newspaper=Kitsap Sun |date=1 March 2018 |access-date=9 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409110146/https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/2018/03/01/uss-nimitz-dry-dock/379655002/ |archive-date=9 April 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2020s ===
[[File:USS NImitz CVN-68 Apra Harbor, Guam.JPG|thumb|USS ''Nimitz'' enters [[Apra Harbor]], Guam in June 2020]]In April 2020, the [[coronavirus]] was reported to have spread to ''Nimitz'' when the first case was reported on 7 April.<ref name=politico>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/07/coronavirus-sailor-aircraft-carrier-navy-nimitz-173210 |title=Sailor aboard 4th U.S. aircraft carrier tests positive for coronavirus |work=Politico |last1=Bertrand |first1=Natasha |last2=Seligman |first2=Lara |name-list-style=amp |date=7 April 2020 |access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="nimitz.military">{{cite web |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/04/07/nimitz-becomes-4th-aircraft-carrier-covid-19-case-report.html |title=Nimitz Becomes 4th Aircraft Carrier with COVID-19 Case: Report |work=military.com |last=Pawlyk |first=Oriana |date=7 April 2020 |access-date=8 April 2020}}</ref> One sailor had received a positive result the previous week after exhibiting symptoms, and was subsequently placed in isolation and removed from the ship.<ref name=politico/> Another crew member also tested positive, but was reported to have not been working on the ship.<ref name="nimitz.military"/> On 27 April, ''Nimitz'' completed a 27-day quarantine and began [[COMPTUEX]] training.<ref>{{cite web |title=USS Nimitz Departs for Training |url=https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112773 |website=navy.mil |publisher=USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Public Affairs |access-date=30 April 2020 |archive-date=7 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507211102/https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112773 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 5 July 2020, the ship was deployed in the [[South China Sea]] along with {{USS|Ronald Reagan}}. On 31 December, acting [[Secretary of Defense]] [[Christopher C. Miller|Chris Miller]] ordered ''Nimitz'' to return directly to her home port following a nearly ten-month deployment in the [[Fifth Fleet]] area of operation.<ref>{{cite web |title=USS Nimitz Returns to Home Port |publisher=United States Department of Defense |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2460415/uss-nimitz-returns-to-home-port/ |date=31 December 2020 |access-date=8 January 2021}}</ref> The carrier was at the time supporting the withdrawal of U.S. troops in Somalia along with {{USS|Makin Island|LHD-8|6}} and her [[amphibious ready group]].<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Aircraft Carrier, 2,500 Marines Off the Coast of Somalia as Pentagon Repositions Forces in Africa |publisher=USNI News |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/12/21/u-s-aircraft-carrier-2500-marines-off-the-coast-of-somalia-as-pentagon-repositions-forces-in-africa |date=21 December 2020 |access-date=8 January 2021}}</ref> On 3 January 2021, in an abrupt reversal, acting Defense Secretary Miller ordered ''Nimitz'' to redeploy due to "Recent threats issued by Iranian leaders against President Trump and other U.S. government officials."<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement by Acting Secretary Miller on Iranian Threats and the USS Nimitz |publisher=United States Department of Defense |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2460938/statement-by-acting-secretary-miller-on-iranian-threats-and-the-uss-nimitz/ |date=3 January 2021 |access-date=8 January 2021}}</ref>

In May 2022, ''Nimitz'' led [[Carrier Strike Group 11]] in the [[Eastern Pacific Ocean]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2022/05/23/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-may-23-2022|title=USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 23, 2022|publisher=usni.org|date=23 May 2022|access-date=2 June 2022}}</ref> On 28 November 2022, ''Nimitz'' departed [[Naval Base Kitsap|Kitsap]] and sailed to [[Naval Base San Diego|San Diego]] to pick up the carrier strike group leadership.<ref>{{cite news |last1=LaGrone |first1=Sam |title=Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Departs San Diego for Pacific Deployment |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/12/03/nimitz-carrier-strike-group-departs-san-diego-for-pacific-deployment |access-date=23 March 2023 |publisher=United States Naval Institute |date=3 December 2022}}</ref> She left San Diego on 3 December, for her Pacific deployment leading Carrier Strike Group 11 and embarking [[Carrier Air Wing 17]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ziezulewicz |first1=Geoff |title=USS Nimitz and its strike group head out on deployment |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2022/12/05/uss-nimitz-and-its-strike-group-head-out-on-deployment/ |access-date=23 March 2023 |publisher=Navy Times |date=6 December 2023}}</ref>

''Nimitz'' logged her 350,000th arrested landing on 22 April 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=USS Nimitz Records 350,000th Arrested Landing |url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/3371612/uss-nimitz-records-350000th-arrested-landing/ |access-date=24 April 2023 |publisher=U.S. Navy Press Office |date=24 April 2023}}</ref>

===Planned retirement===
The ''Nimitz''-class carriers have a lifespan of approximately 50 years. Estimates on decommissioning for ''Nimitz'' herself were updated in April 2022, with the Navy Press Corps indicating that, “USS ''Nimitz'' (CVN 68) was planned to be removed from the battle force in fiscal year (FY) 2025, when the Ship Terminal Off-load Program (STOP) begins, with inactivation scheduled to begin in 2027.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Larson |first=Caleb |date=16 April 2022 |title=The End of an Era: U.S. Navy to Retire the USS Nimitz Aircraft Carrier |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/end-era-us-navy-retire-uss-nimitz-aircraft-carrier-201850 |access-date=19 April 2022 |website=The National Interest |language=en}}</ref> 

In March 2025, the Navy announced that ''Nimitz'' would deploy one last time, then arrive at her new homeport of Norfolk Naval Station in Virginia no later than 12 April 2026. At that point she will begin the one-year STOP process before shifting to Newport News Shipbuilding for initial defueling and deactivation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Naval Base Kitsap would swap oldest aircraft carrier for newest under Navy plan |url=https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2025-03-07/nimitz-aircraft-carrier-kitsap-17070445.html |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Stars and Stripes |language=en}}</ref>

==Overhauls==
* October 1975 to December 1975 – Post Shakedown Availability
* May 1977 to July 1977 – Selected Restricted Availability
* October 1978 to January 1979 – Selected Restricted Availability
* October 1980 to January 1981 – Selected Restricted Availability
* April 1982 to June 1982 – Selected Restricted Availability – waist catapult bridle catcher removed.
* June 1983 to July 1984 – Complex Overhaul – forward port [[sponson]] added; 3 Mk-25 BPDMs replaced with 2 Mk-29; 3 CIWS added; SPS-49 search radar replaces SPS-43.
* November 1985 to March 1986 – Selected Restricted Availability – forward port sponson changed/enlarged.
* August 1987 to February 1988 – Selected Restricted Availability
* August 1989 to March 1990 – Selected Restricted Availability
* October 1991 to May 1992 – Selected Restricted Availability
* December 1993 to January 1995 – Selected Restricted Availability – port bow catapult bridle catcher removed.
* June 1996 to January 1997 – Selected Restricted Availability
* May 1998 to June 2001 – Refueling and Complex Overhaul – starboard bow catapult bridle catcher removed; top two levels of the island replaced; new antenna mast; new radar tower; RAM replaced CIWS at forward port sponson; RAM added to aft starboard sponson; 2 CIWS at island/stern removed.
* February 2004 to August 2004 – Planned Incremental Availability – catwalk grating was replaced and flight deck resurfaced.
* March 2006 to September 2006 – Planned Incremental Availability
* July 2008 to January 2009 – Planned Incremental Availability
* November 2010 to March 2012 – Planned Incremental Availability – 2 CIWS added to forward starboard sponson enlargement/new port stern sponson.
* January 2015 to October 2016 – Planned Incremental Availability
* March 2018 to (approximately) May 2019 – Docked Planned Incremental Availability
* March 2021 to November 2021 – Planned Incremental Availability

==Awards and decorations==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 4th award.svg{{!}}border|width=103}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=6|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=4|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=103}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg{{!}}border|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=103}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=11|type=service-star|ribbon=Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=103}}
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan=2|[[Navy Unit Commendation]] with two [[5/16 inch star|stars]]
|colspan=2|[[Meritorious Unit Commendation]]
|colspan=2|[[Navy E Ribbon]] with<br> four Battle "E" devices
|-
|colspan=2|[[Navy Expeditionary Medal]]<br> with six stars
|colspan=2|[[National Defense Service Medal]]<br> with one star
|colspan=2|[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]]<br> with four [[service star|stars]]
|-
|colspan=2|[[Southwest Asia Service Medal]]
|colspan=2|[[Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal]]<br>with one star
|colspan=2|[[Sea Service Deployment Ribbon]]<br>with eleven stars
|}

==In popular culture==

''[[The Final Countdown (film)|The Final Countdown]]'', a 1980 alternate history science fiction film about a contemporary aircraft carrier that travels through time to the day before the 1941 [[attack on Pearl Harbor]], was set and filmed on board the real-life USS ''Nimitz''.<ref name="NYTCanby">[[Vincent Canby|Canby, Vincent]]. [https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9907E0DE1538F932A3575BC0A966948260 " 'The Final Countdown' (1980) - Carrier ''Nimitz'' stars in 'Countdown'".] ''[[The New York Times]]'', 1 August 1980.</ref>

''Nimitz'' is the focus of ''The Big Aircraft Carrier'' in Little Mammoth Media's ''BIG Adventure Series''. In it, they talk how the navy ship works for children including a complete tour of the carrier, how the sailors and pilots work and even all the training they undertake.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://littlemammoth.media/product/?productId=204|title=The BIG Aircraft Carrier - See the USS Nimitz in Action!|website=littlemammoth.media|date=1995|access-date=17 October 2023}}</ref>

The [[PBS]] series ''[[Carrier (TV series)|Carrier]]'' followed the May–November 2005 deployment of ''Nimitz'' to the Persian Gulf, documenting the life and shipboard routines of the crew over ten episodes.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.documentary.org/online-feature/anchors-aweigh-ten-part-carrier-series-set-deployment-pbs |title=Anchors Aweigh! Ten-Part 'Carrier' Series Set for Deployment on PBS |magazine=International Documentary Association Magazine |last=Gabert |first=Shelley |access-date=30 January 2025}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Carrier Strike Group Eleven]]
* [[List of aircraft carriers]]
* [[List of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy]]
* [[USS Nimitz UFO incident|USS ''Nimitz'' UFO incident]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite web |first= Edmond L. |last= Boullianne |title= Carrier Air Wing Surge Operations: A Revolution in Strike Warfare |url= https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a328154.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200201222619/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a328154.pdf |url-status= live |archive-date= 1 February 2020 |work= Joint Military Operations Department |publisher= [[United States Naval War College]] |location= [[Newport, Rhode Island]] |date= 13 May 1997 |access-date=20 July 2012 }}
* {{cite book |last1= Jewell |first1= Angelyn |title= USS ''Nimitz'' and Carrier Airwing Nine Surge Demonstration |url= http://cna.org/sites/default/files/research/2797011110.pdf |year= 1998 |publisher= [[Center for Naval Analyses]] |location= [[Alexandria, Virginia]] |id= CRM 97–111.10/April 1998 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131019094319/http://cna.org/sites/default/files/research/2797011110.pdf |archive-date= 19 October 2013 }}
* {{cite book |first1= John F. |last1= Schank |first2=Mark V. |last2=Arena |first3=Denis |last3=Rushworth |first4=John |last4=Birkler |first5=James |last5=Chiesa |title= Refueling and Complex Overhaul of the USS ''Nimitz'' (CVN 68): Lessons for the Future |url= http://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR1632/index.html |publisher= [[Rand Corporation]] |location= [[Santa Monica, California]] |isbn= 0-8330-3288-7 |year= 2002 |access-date= 4 December 2010 }}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|USS Nimitz (CVN-68)}}
===Official===
* {{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/n/nimitz.html}}
* [http://www.nimitz.navy.mil/ USS ''Nimitz''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222120649/http://www.nimitz.navy.mil/ |date=22 February 2011 }} – Official website
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111005060527/http://www.hs6.navy.mil/index.html HSC-6] – Official website
* Story archive – U.S. Navy – [https://web.archive.org/web/20090906214819/http://www.navy.mil/local/story_archive.asp?id=49 USS ''Nimitz'' (CVN-68)]
* [https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/USS-Nimitz-CVN-68/ USS Nimitz (CVN 68)] - Commander, Naval Air Force, US Pacific Fleet
===Additional===
* [http://ussnimitzassociation.org/ USS ''Nimitz'' Association]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFvVRm1sWmA "USS ''Nimitz'' Dry Dock – Episode 1"] <small>(or: "USS ''Nimitz''… a documentary – Episode 1")</small>
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke6wUEWJg2w "USS ''Nimitz'' Dry Dock – Episode 2"]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeA6t_HZqvQ&feature=relmfu "USS ''Nimitz'' Dry Dock – Episode 3"]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOFshhcTApU "USS ''Nimitz'' Dry Dock – Episode 4, 'Many Hands'"]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KdkSLHO5l0&feature=endscreen "USS ''Nimitz'' Dry Dock – Episode 5"]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edl9LKCDrR0 "USS ''Nimitz'' Dry Dock – Episode 6, 'The Climb'"]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LhHMpHa5aQ "USS ''Nimitz'' Dry Dock – Episode 7, 'Heavy Work'"]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avxFmP2hvtA "USS ''Nimitz'' Dry Dock – Episode 8, 'Readiness'"]

===Images===
* [http://www.relevantsearchscotland.co.uk/ships/ships/069nimitz.html USS ''Nimitz'' information and images] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212023725/http://www.relevantsearchscotland.co.uk/ships/ships/069nimitz.html |date=12 December 2008 }}
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/aircraft_carriers/nimitz_cvn_68/uss_nimitz_cvn_68_page_1.htm Maritimequest USS ''Nimitz'' CVN 68 Photo Gallery]

{{Nimitz class aircraft carrier}}
{{Nuclear surface ships}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nimitz (CVN 68)}}
[[Category:Nimitz-class aircraft carriers]]
[[Category:Ships built in Newport News, Virginia]]
[[Category:1972 ships]]
[[Category:Nuclear-powered ships of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Cold War aircraft carriers of the United States]]
[[Category:Aircraft carriers of the United States]]
[[Category:Naval ships involved in the COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]