USS Nimitz CVN 68

.....The USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Battle Group got underway from San Diego Jan. 10 to begin a compressed three-week training exercise. By taking advantage of several efficiencies in the training pipeline, Commander, 3rd Fleet (C3F) was able to combine two normally separate training evolutions into one three-week exercise, expediting the battle group’s availability for deployment. The first two weeks focused on a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), and the last week concentrated on a Joint Task Force Training Exercise (JTFEX). This exercise was the culmination of nine months of training and preparation.

.....Nimitz departed San Diego, Calif., Mar. 3, 2003 on her first western pacific (WESTPAC) deployment since 1997.

.....Nimitz arrived in the 5th fleet area of responsibility in April and provided air support for ground troops in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This deployment marks the first time the carrier has deployed to the U.S. Central Command region since 1997.

.....The Nimitz made a port call at Jebel Ali on May 08, 2003 and departed on 13 May 2003.

.....On July 3, 2003 the Nimitz made another port call at Jebel Ali and stayed until July 09, 2003 after which it continued to conduct operations in support of Iraqi Freedom.

.....Throughout much of August and into early September the Nimitz transited back and forth from the North Arabian Sea into the Persian Gulf. On or about September 6 the Nimitz began heading east, entering the Indian Ocean on September 8, 2003. On September 11 she was in the Andaman Sea and made a port call at Singapore on September 12.

.....After conducting operations in the Indian Ocean and the Andaman Sea throughout the rest of September into October the Nimitz made one final port call at Singapore on October 08, 2003, departing that port on or about October 13. On October 14, 2003 the Nimitz was in the South China Sea, and on October 20 she entered the Pacific Ocean.

.....On October 23, 2003 the Navy announced that the Nimitz CSG would return to San Diego on November 5, 2003, following a highly successful eight-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and combat support ship USS Bridge (AOE 10) made a brief port call in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Oct. 27, before getting underway for their final leg home Oct. 31. The first ship from the Nimitz CSG to return home was the Pearl Harbor-based Aegis cruiser, USS Chosin (CG 65), arriving Naval Station Peal Harbor Nov. 2.

.....As Nimitz approached the Southern California coast, Nov. 4, Carrier Air Wing 11 squadrons made homecomings, as they conducted a “fly off” of more than 70 aircraft from the aircraft carrier. The aircrews and aircraft flew into the following four homeports: Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.; Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.; Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu, Calif.; Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.

.....The following day, Nov. 5, Nimitz pulled into San Diego Bay and moored at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

.....During the ship’s deployment, Nimitz flew more than 6,500 missions in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition, this was the first deployment of the F/A-18F Super Hornet (two-seat version) and E-2C Hawkeye 2000. Nimitz was also the first aircraft carrier to deploy with two Super Hornet squadrons. This was Nimitz's first deployment since their major overhaul in 1997 and its first since relocating to San Diego in 2001.

.....As the lead ship of the world's most powerful and capable class of warships, Nimitz stands ready to serve as our nation's finest instrument of peace, power projection and platform for diplomacy.

Mission

.....USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is an impressive sight. Nearly 1,100 feet long and displacing 95,000 tons, the sheer size of this "floating city" is staggering. But the real marvel of an aircraft carrier is the enormous amount of activity concentrated in such a relatively small area. On the flight deck and in the hangar bay, the air wing operates up to about 70 aircraft. Below in the engineering spaces, two nuclear reactors provide propulsion and electricity. There are repair facilities of all kinds, supporting the air wing, Nimitz, and all ships of the battle group. The enormous job of supporting the air wing falls on the crew, which must provide for all of their needs.

.....The size and complexity of an aircraft carrier only hints at the importance of these ships as part of America 's Navy. No other country has ever deployed as formidable a ship as Nimitz and the other carriers in our Navy. These ships, far from being merely symbols or monuments, are the backbone of America 's maritime force, and the men and women of Nimitz are the front-line guardians of our national security.

Operating Forward, From the Sea

.....To understand the role of the carrier today, one must recognize the sweeping changes which have taken place in the world in the past few years. The end of the Cold War marked the end of a relatively static threat. While large and technically advanced, our adversary was a known and predictable quantity. Now, regional hostilities potentially threaten our national security interests around the world. The Navy's vision of the future is captured in the landmark white paper "...From the Sea." This document outlines the Navy's fundamental shift from preparing for an open-ocean war at sea with the Soviet Navy to focusing on regional threats to U.S. national interests. "...From the Sea" recognizes the ability of the U.S. Navy to control the sea lanes as well as controlling the "littoral zone," the areas from off the coast to as far inland as necessary to establish a safe zone for entry of additional U.S. forces. In this way, the Navy and Marine Corps are an "enabling" force, establishing safe beachheads, ports and airfields, and paving the way for follow-on action by Army, Air Force and allied forces.

Powerful, Flexible Forces

.....Aircraft carriers are the single most flexible force in the U.S. arsenal. The traditional carrier air wing, consisting of a mixture of aircraft types, is able to meet virtually any emergent security need. When deployed, the carrier can be counted on to quickly respond to nearly any tasking with its own assets. The air wing is also an extremely flexible force structure. If the situation requires it, the air wing can be quickly tailored to suit the mission by changing the aircraft mix. This could be as small a change as removing Navy patrol aircraft and adding Navy fighters, or as radical as removing much of the air wing in favor of Marine Corps and Army helicopters. This kind of "adaptive force packaging" has been clearly demonstrated in recent military action and represents the wave of the future.

Forward Deployed, Ready on Arrival

.....Aircraft carriers are routinely forward deployed around the world, engaging in joint (U.S. Navy, Marines, Army and Air Force) and combined (with other allied nations) exercises. These exercises hone our own combat skills as well as providing valuable experience in operating with other forces. While deployed, aircraft carriers operate in international waters providing a reassuring presence to our allies and a warning to potential enemies. This presence can be quickly increased or withdrawn as the situation dictates. Should the situation require it, the aircraft carrier and air wing team are ready on arrival to accomplish whatever mission is given, from unobtrusive surveillance to devastating strikes and anything in between. Although aircraft carriers are routinely deployed near traditional areas of potential conflict, the aircraft carrier can move quickly to another area of the world should a crisis erupt, and be ready to operate immediately.

Endurance

.....The ability of an aircraft carrier to remain on station in international waters for an indefinite time is unmatched by any other military asset. The reduction of overseas presence by the Army and Air Force places an even greater premium on the Navy's "floating airfields." Large troop movements or long-range aircraft patrols from the U.S. can be both expensive and an unnecessary escalation of conflict. For Nimitz, endurance is both a function of the ship's nuclear propulsion and the Navy's support forces. Being nuclear powered, the ship can sail nearly indefinitely at high speed (30+ knots) to take station where needed. Once on station, the ship itself carries great quantities of food, aviation fuel, and spare parts for sustained, unsupported operations. To resupply, Navy oilers and combat support ships bring aviation fuel, fresh food and weapons. Critical parts and mail are brought by C-2 cargo planes. If necessary, Nimitz can continue operations almost indefinitely, without entering port.

Ready today and tomorrow

.....The modern aircraft carrier is a marvel of complexity. However, the single goal of combat readiness is the heart of its mission. Optimized during an evolutionary process, Nimitz is not only the product of skilled shipbuilders, but of great ships and Sailors who sailed before. The lessons learned in millions of miles of steaming, countless aircraft launches and recoveries, and a myriad of missions in both peace and war have given the Navy and the nation today's reliable and potent weapons system. Our nation's aircraft carriers are truly national assets.