Newport News, Va., June 25, 2001 — USS Nimitz (CVN-68) pulls away from the Newport News Shipyard and Dry Dock Company enroute to the Virginia Capes operating area for sea trials, after completing a comprehensive nuclear reactor overhaul. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Joshua L. Treadwell. [010625-N-5302T-002].

Sailors from the Air Department, V-1 Division, wash the island of USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during a flight deck scrub down, Oct. 21, 2001. The aircraft carrier was en route to her new homeport of San Diego, Calif. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Tiffini Jones (# 011021-N-8273J-009).

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, November 3, 2001 — USS Nimitz (CVN-68) passes by the Arizona Memorial as Sailors spell out "FREEDOM" and man the rails of the ship as she pulls into Pearl Harbor for a liberty visit. The stop was the first port call for Nimitz following a transit around South America while on the way to her homeport of San Diego, Calif. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Shawn Patrick Eklund (# 011103-N-3642E-008).

San Diego, California, November 13, 2001 — Sailors display a 3,000 sq. ft. flag on the flight deck aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68) as the carrier approaches the pier at Naval Air Station North Island and completes a homeport change after a complex nuclear reactor overhaul performed at Newport News, Virginia. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Michael D. Kennedy (# 011113-N-5067K-001).

San Diego, Calif., May 22, 2002 — USS Nimitz (CVN 68) transits San Diego harbor for a scheduled work-up period. Note RAM launcher on port bow sponson.

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Frederick McCahan. [020522-N-8894M-002].

San Diego, Calif., Sept. 30, 2002 — An aerial view of San Diego Harbor with four of the Navy's aircraft carriers moored at the Naval Air Station, North Island. The carriers are (from left) USS Constellation (CV-64), USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). It is rare to have this many carriers in port at any one time. U.S. Navy photo (# 020930-N-7265L-001) by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Inez Lawson.

San Diego, Calif., March 2, 2003.

San Diego, Calif., March 2, 2003.

San Diego, Calif., March 3, 2003 — USS Nimitz (CVN-68) departs San Diego, at the beginning of her deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Arabian Sea, Apr. 7, 2003 — The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) enters the Persian Gulf to relieve USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) after the latter's ninth month of deployment in support of both Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Tyler J. Clements (# 030407-N-6817C-007).

The Arabian Sea, Apr. 8, 2003 — USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) carry out flight operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Kristi Earl (# 030408-N-1974E-002).

The Persian Gulf, Apr. 10, 2003 — The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59), and fast combat support ship USS Bridge (AOE-10) participate in an underway replenishment (UNREP) while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Kristi Earl (# 030410-N-1974E-003).

The Persian Gulf, Apr. 24, 2003 — USS Nimitz (CVN-68) transits the Persian Gulf as she prepares for Flight Quarters. Nimitz Carrier Strike Force and Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Elizabeth Thompson (# 030424-N-6536T-004).

The Persian Gulf, Apr. 24, 2003 — USS Nimitz (CVN-68) transits the Persian Gulf as she prepares for Flight Quarters. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Elizabeth Thompson (# 030424-N-6536T-006).

The Persian Gulf, Jun. 28, 2003 — USS Nimitz (CVN-68) conducts flight operations as part of her mission for Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Elizabeth Thompson (# 030628-N-6536T-004).

The Persian Gulf, Jun. 29, 2003 — USS Nimitz (CVN-68) conducts flight operations as part of her mission for Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Kristi J. Earl (# 030629-N-1974E-010).

Pacific Ocean, Nov. 3, 2003 — USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) personnel participate in a flag unfurling rehearsal on the ship’s flight deck during Tiger Cruise with the help of fellow tigers. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and embarked CVW-11 were en route to San Diego, Calif., following an eight-month deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Elizabeth Thompson (# 031103-N-6536T-006).

Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif., Nov. 5, 2003 — USS Nimitz (CVN-68), returns home to San Diego. Nimitz flew more than 6,500 missions, sent more than 4,790,000 e-mails and traveled more than 63,500 nautical miles during her extended eight-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This was Nimitz’s first deployment since her major overhaul in 1997 and since relocating to San Diego in 2001. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Rebecca J. Moat (# 031105-N-8629M-001).

Off Point Loma, CA, heading out to sea, November 2003.

This is the Nimitz alongside at North Island, 10 January 2004. She is in the middle of an extensive upkeep/maintenance period. Her island superstructure is entirely covered in a white enclosure and she had numerous work sheds on deck.

Pacific Ocean, December 11, 2004 — The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) shown underway along the coast of southern California conducting Composite Training Unit Exercise. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Shannon E. Renfroe (# 041211-N-0413R-020).

Another view, as above (# 041211-N-0413R-027).

Pacific Ocean, March 14, 2005 — Four F/A-18F Super Hornets fly over USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and her escorts while underway off the coast of southern California. Nimitz and Carrier Strike Group Eleven (CSG-11) were conducting a Joint Task Force Training Exercise (JTFEX). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Shannon E. Renfroe (# 050314-N-0413R-004).

Persian Gulf, July 15, 2005 — An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Four One (VFA-41), goes to full afterburner prior to launching off the flight deck during night flight operations aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group was on a regularly scheduled deployment and participating in Maritime Security Operations. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Dominique V. Brown (# 050715-N-4843B-027).

A US Navy (USN) F/A-18F Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 41 (VFA-41) "Black Aces," Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California, conducts a mission over the Persian Gulf, 13 September 2005. The Hornet is armed with an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile on the wingtip and an AGM-65 Maverick missile on the pylon. Tucked under the intake is an AAQ-14 LANTIRN (Low-Altitude Navigation and Targeting InfraRed for Night) pod. Also under the fuselage, a 370-gallon External Fuel Tank. VFA-41 was embarked aboard the USN aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). U.S. Air Force photo by TSGT Rob Tabor, USAF (# 050913-F-5480T-016).

Pacific Ocean, Jan. 26, 2006 — Counter measure sprinkler operating systems are tested during USS Nimitz (CVN-68) Inspection and Survey (INSURV), off the southern coast of California. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Roland Franklin (# 060126-N-8158F-001).

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) transits the Pacific Ocean after a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) with USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), 11 February 2006. Nimitz was preparing for a major propulsion plant examination off the coast of southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Shannon E. Renfroe (#060211-N-0413R-075).

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) sails along side of he Military Sealift Command (MSC) fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10) after a replenishment at sea (RAS), 11 February 2006. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was preparing for a major propulsion plant examination off the coast of southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Shannon E. Renfroe (# 060211-N-0413R-230).

North Island, Calif., May 11, 2006 — Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter tours the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) to see the construction work being done to the ship. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Craig P. Strawser (# 060511-N-2568S-011).

USNS Pecos (T-AO 197) pulls along side USS Nimitz (CVN-68) for a replenishment at sea, 1 September 2006. The aircraft carrier was underway off the coast of California conducting sea trials after successfully completing a six-month Planned Incremental Availability period. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Roland Franklin (# 060901-N-8158F-063).

Operations Specialist 3rd Class Kamara Bellis performs an identification check of air contacts aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68), October 4, 2006. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was underway conducting Tailored Ships Training Availability (TSTA) off the coast of Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Emily M. Stroia (# 061004-N-9865S-028).

(NS026876) USS Nimitz (CVN-68) passing under the Golden Gate Bridge during the parade of ships that kicked off San Francisco Fleet Week 2006, on October 7.

(NS026876a) Later in the day, the carrier dropped anchor off Yerba Buena island. Former Naval Air Station Alameda, and the USS Hornet Museum can barely be seen in the right, distant background.

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) enters San Francisco Bay, Calif., during San Francisco Fleet Week 2006, 7 October 2006. Since 1981, San Francisco Fleet Week has been an annual opportunity for Northern Californians to honor the men and women serving in the United States Navy, Coast Guard and Marines. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shannon E. Renfroe (#061007-N-0413R-001).

Sailors secure an EA-6B Prowler to the flight deck of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) after completing night time flight operations in the Pacific Ocean, March 1, 2007. Nimitz was conducting Joint Task Force Exercises off the coast of Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joseph Pol Sebastian Gocong (# 070301-N-5484G-145).

USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7) conducts a replenishment at sea (RAS) with nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in the Pacific Ocean, 12 April 2007. Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) was deployed in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joseph Pol Sebastian Gocong (# 070412-N-5484G-171).

Arabian Sea, May 22, 2007 — (from foreground) USS Nimitz (CVN-68), USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) transit the Gulf of Oman. The three ships were flagships for three different strike groups, which were on regularly, scheduled deployments in support of Maritime Operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Denny Cantrell (# 070522-N-8157C-240).

Arabian Sea, May 22, 2007 — USS Nimitz (CVN-68) (bottom) along with (from top left to right) USS Higgins (DDG-76), USS Antietam (CG-54) and USS O'Kane (DDG-77) steam through the Gulf of Oman. All these ships were part of two different strike groups; the John C. Stennis (CVN-74) Carrier Strike Group and Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, which were on regularly scheduled deployments in support of Maritime Operations. The latter help set the conditions for security and stability, as well as complement counter-terrorism and security efforts to regional nations. Official U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Denny Cantrell (# 070522-N-8157C-1176).

An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Sunliners" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81 lands safely on the flight deck of USS Nimitz (CVN-68), 12 June 2007, in the Persian Gulf. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and embarked Carrier Air Wing 11 were deployed in 5th Fleet conducting maritime operations and supporting the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gretchen M. Roth (#070612-N-8119R-141).

Pacific Ocean, August 14, 2007 — Nimitz (CVN-68), Kitty Hawk (CV-63) and John C. Stennis (CVN-74) Carrier Strike Groups transit in formation during a joint photo exercise (PHOTOEX) during Valiant Shield 2007, the largest joint exercise in the Pacific this year. Held in the Guam operating area, Valiant Shield 2007 included 30 ships, more than 280 aircraft and more than 20,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

The aerial formation, led by an Air Force B-52 Stratofortress, consists of aircraft from the carrier strike groups as well as Air Force aircraft. Ships are, left to right: guided missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG-90); nuclear-propelled aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), followed by the guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59) and the guided missile destroyers USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) and USS Pinckney (DDG-91); nuclear-propelled attack submarine USS Hampton (SSN-767); aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), followed by the guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG-63) and guided missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG-89); nuclear-propelled attack submarine USS Key West (SSN-722); nuclear-propelled aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), followed by the guided missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-54) and the guided missile destroyers USS Preble (DDG-88) and USS O'Kane (DDG-77); the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer on the extreme right has not been positively identified, but is possibly USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60).

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hana'lei Shimana (# 070814-N-6009S-001).

Another view, as above.

DoD photo # 1542987 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jarod Hodge.

San Diego, September 30, 2007 — USS Nimitz (CVN-68) passes by Naval Base Point Loma as she pulls into San Diego Bay. The vessel, flagship of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, returned home after completing a six-month Western Pacific deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian Gaines (# 070930-N-4007G-003).

San Diego, September 30, 2007 — This is a great view of USS Nimitz (CVN-68) passing the Point Loma Sub Base (see NS026884), with a good overhead view of Arco (ARDM-5). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian Gaines (# 070930-N-4007G-003).

USS Nimitz (CVN-68); Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego, Calif.; December 2007.

Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, led by USS Nimitz (CVN-68), steams in the Pacific Ocean, 22 February 2008, shortly after completing exercises with several Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force ships. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Scorza (#080222-N-4420S-852).

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) performs a replenishment at sea with the guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) while launching and recovering aircraft in the western Pacific Ocean, 22 February 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jake Berenguer (# 080222-N-6326B-108).

A B-52 Stratofortress flies past USS Nimitz (CVN-68) as two U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets intercept, 28 April 2008. The B-52 is from the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. U.S. Navy photo by Tech Sgt. Corey Clements, USAF (#080423-F-0017C-003).

USS Nimitz (CVN-68); Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego, Calif.; Saturday, 14 March 2009.

Line handlers watch as USS Nimitz (CVN-68) arrives in Manama, Bahrain, 24 October 2009 for a scheduled post visit. This visit marked the third time in history that a US Navy aircraft carrier had docked pierside in Bahrain. The last carrier to moor pierside for a liberty call in Bahrain was USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), 19 May 2009, and then over 50 years before that the 11,373-ton Commencement Bay-class escort aircraft carrier USS Rendova (CVE-114) in 1948. The Nimitz Strike Group was deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations as part of a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as well as regional Maritime Security Operations. U.S. Navy photo by LCDR Corey Barker (#091024-N-1056B-001).

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) departs Bremerton, WA, 23 March 2010, for a Tiger Cruise to her homeport, San Diego, CA.

Air group was Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, tail code "NH".

Sailors and more than 1,000 friends and family members spell out the word "Nimitz" aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during the ship's 2010 Tiger Cruise, 23 March 2010, in the Pacific Ocean. Tiger Cruise 2010 was the last evolution in the carrier's eight-month deployment to the Arabian Sea supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class James Mitchell (# 100323-N-3327M-211).

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) approaches her new homeport at Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton, Wash., 9 December 2010. The nuclear-propelled aircraft carrier was in the process of making an administrative homeport change from Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif., and was scheduled for a docking planned incremental availability in Bremerton.