Tag Archives: Nimitz Carrier Strike Group

Uncle Chester Shuffles out for One Last Go

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Named in honor of the fleet admiral that oversaw the Pacific War, the USS Nimitz (CVAN/CVN-68) was ordered on 31 March 1967 and commissioned just over eight years later on 11 April 1975.

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) replenishes from USS Mount Baker (AE-34) during UNREP training on her shakedowns in Guantanamo Operations Area, Caribbean, 31 July 1975. At the time, her wing, CVW-8, had two F-4J Phantom squadrons (VF-31 and VMFA-333), two A-7E Corsair units (VA-82, VA-86), an A-6E Intruder squadron (VA-35), and assorted EA-6B, E-2B, and SH-3H dets. She has outlasted all of these types. NHHC K-109941

Even new math shows that her 50th anniversary is coming up in a few weeks, and she will celebrate it haze gray and underway on her 30th deployment- and that’s not even counting almost smashing the Kido Butai!

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) departed Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, for a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific on 21 March, with an all-DDG escort as the carrier has outlasted almost every U.S. cruiser that would have traditionally accompanied her.

Sailors man the rails on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Puget Sound after getting underway for a regularly scheduled Indo-Pacific deployment, March 21, 2025. An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides realistic and relevant training to ensure the readiness necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s timeless role across the full spectrum of military operations. (U.S. Navy photo 250321-N-QV399-1053 by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Japeth Carter)

As noted by 3rd Fleet PAO:

NIMCSG consists of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9.

The embarked air wing consists of nine squadrons flying F/A-18C/E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Hawkeyes, C-2A Greyhounds, and MH-60R/S Sea Hawks; Squadrons are the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, “Mighty Shrikes” of VFA-94, “Kestrels” of VFA-137, “Blue Diamonds” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146, “Cougars” of VAQ-139, “Indians” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6, “Bluetails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, “BattleCats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40.

DESRON 9 consists of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), and USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123).

11 Months Underway

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Ships assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group sail in formation with Indian navy ships during a cooperative deployment in the Indian Ocean, July 20, 2020. Photo By: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Donald R. White, Jr. VIRIN: 200720-N-MY642-0207M

From DOD:

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is returning after operations in U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility. It was the first carrier strike group to deploy under COVID-19 protocols. By the time the carrier strike group reaches home, the sailors and Marines aboard will have been gone for 321 days.

The Nimitz, the cruiser USS Princeton, and the destroyers USS Sterett and USS Ralph Johnson made up the group. 

Overall, the carrier strike group steamed more than 87,300 nautical miles during its deployment. The carrier launched 10,185 sorties totaling 23,410 flight hours logged.

I’m not sure the value of wearing out ships and crew on year-long deployments when there are no major conflicts underway, but you damned sure don’t see other fleets able/willing to pull off this type of crap, which is a statement of deterrence all its own, I suppose. 

Of note, Nimitz is our oldest active warship in fleet service– and the oldest commissioned aircraft carrier in the world–  slated to celebrate the 46th anniversary of her commissioning in May. Princeton is no spring chicken either, as the early Tico left Pascagoula for the fleet in 1989.