Nimitz making history on her way out
The U.S. Embassy in Panama recognized the importance of the recent visit of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to Panama City on the country’s West (Pacific) coast as the supercarrier sails to her new homeport in Norfolk from Bremerton. She also hosted representatives from Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador for flight ops in the process as part of the 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2026.
Panamanian distinguished visitors and U.S. Embassy Panama personnel pose for a photo during flight operations on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Pacific Ocean, March 28, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jaron Wills)
Note, there are over 25,000 American citizens living in Panama, and something like 300,000 former Canal Zone expats and their descendants.
Armed Forces of El Salvadoran and civilian distinguished visitors observe flight operations on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Pacific Ocean, March 27, 2026. Nimitz is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2026, which seeks to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the region through joint, multinational, and interagency exchanges and cooperation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd
Mexican military and civilian distinguished visitors observe flight operations on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Pacific Ocean, March 23, 2026. Nimitz is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2026, which seeks to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the region through joint, multinational, and interagency exchanges and cooperation. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jaron W
An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the “Kestrels” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137, launches from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during flight operations in the Pacific Ocean, March 19, 2026. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled homeport shift to Norfolk, Virginia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Meyer)
Nimitz is accompanied by her escort, USS Gridley (DDG-101).
Of course, Nimitz can’t pass through the Canal as she is both too tall (252 feet to the top of the mast) to sail under the Bridge of the Americas which has a 200 foot clearance at high tide, and is too wide (252-foot beam across deck) to fit into even the new 1,400-foot-long Neopanamax locks, opened in 2016, which are only 180 feet wide.
The Embassy said it was the first visit by a U.S. carrier to Panama in “over 50 years.”
The Canal, which opened in 1914, was first transited by an American carrier in January 1924, when USS Langley transitioned from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Langley in Gaillard Cut, Panama Canal, Nov 16, 1924 185-G-0947 National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo. NARA Identifier: 100996474; Local Identifier: 185-G-947; Agency-Assigned Identifier: 80-C139; Container ID: Box 5, Volume 10. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/100996474
Throughout the rest of the 1920s and 30s, it was common to see Lexington and Saratoga pass through the Canal, swapping from Atlantic to Pacific war games and exercises.
Palm trees form a picturesque setting for USS Saratoga (CV 3) in Pedro Miquel Locks, Panama Canal, Canal Zone, 21 January 1935.
Then came Ranger, Yorktown, Enterprise, and the gang. Of note, Ranger made the passage at least four times in her career.
USS Ranger, in the Panama Canal, late 1930s.
Some 15 of the 24 completed Essex-class carriers were completed on the East Coast and, when rushed west to the Pacific, did so via the “Ditch” to save time and fuel, with many later making their way back through the Canal post VJ Day for mothballs or continued service.
USS Yorktown (CV-10) transiting the Panama Canal, bound for the Pacific combat zone, circa 11 July 1943. Note Grumman TBF-1 and Douglas SBD-5 aircraft on deck. SBDs carry markings of VB-4. Also note camouflage screens alongside the canal lock. Photographed by Lieutenant Charles Kerlee, USNR. 80-G-K-15334
While CVEs and CVLs were soon disposed of in all but auxiliary service and the new Midway class CVBs (and every American flattop class after) were too big to transit the man-made wonder, the Canal remained on the menu when redeploying the dwindling Essexes for Korea and Vietnam. Valley Forge did so at least five times, with the last being in 1962.
USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) transits Gatun Locks during her transit of the Panama Canal on 31 May 1950. Note crew on deck, and ship utility unit North American SNJ-type aircraft. 80-G-439853
USS Valley Forge (CVA-45) approaches the Pedro Miguel Lock while transiting the Panama Canal, circa 18 August 1953. Her deckload includes several TBM, F4U, and F2H aircraft and many automobiles. The photograph was released for publication on 16 September 1953. NH 96943
USS Valley Forge (CV-45/LPH-8) passing through the Panama Canal, north to south, en route to San Diego, CA., January 1962
However, it should be noted that some East Coast-based CV9s were sent to Vietnam via the Suez (such as Intrepid in 1967) to both boost American presence in the Med and Middle East, even briefly, and because it was a slightly shorter trip (10,350 from Norfolk to Singapore via Suez, versus 10,900 Norfolk to Singapore via Panama and Pearl). Another outlier, USS Shangri-La, made an epic circumnavigation the long way via Cape Town, going East and Cape Horn going West on her 1970-71 Vietnam deployment.
While I cannot pinpoint the final Canal transit by an American carrier, it can be a safe bet that Lexington, which operated from Pensacola, may have called at Panama sometime between the Cuban Missile Crisis and her decommissioning in 1991.
The “more than 50 years” quote would dial it back to circa 1976 and before. I just wish I could say which flattop that was…
