Changes

'''Homeport:''' [[San Diego]], [[California]].

'''Homeport:''' [[San Diego]], [[California]].

==History==

==History==

After her commissioning on May 3, 1975, ''Nimitz''’ first deployment began on July 7, 1976 when she departed Norfolk for the Mediterranean.  Included in the task force were the nuclear-powered cruisers USS ''South Carolina'' (CGN 37) and USS ''Califonia'' (CGN 36). The deployment marked the first time in 10 years that nuclear-powered ships had deployed to the Mediterranean.  In November 1976, ''Nimitz'' was awarded the coveted 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 ship returned to Norfolk on Feb. 7, 1977 after a seven-month deployment.  ''Nimitz'' again sailed toward the Mediterranean Sea on Dec. 1, 1977.  Following a peaceful deployment, the ship returned home to Norfolk on July 20, 1978.

After her commissioning on May 3, 1975, ''Nimitz''’ first deployment began on July 7, 1976 when she departed Norfolk for the Mediterranean.  Included in the task force were the nuclear-powered cruisers [[USS ''South Carolina'' (CGN 37)]] and [[USS ''Califonia'' (CGN 36)]]. The deployment marked the first time in 10 years that nuclear-powered ships had deployed to the Mediterranean.  In November 1976, ''Nimitz'' was awarded the coveted 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 ship returned to Norfolk on Feb. 7, 1977 after a seven-month deployment.  ''Nimitz'' again sailed toward the Mediterranean Sea on Dec. 1, 1977.  Following a peaceful deployment, the ship returned home to Norfolk on July 20, 1978.

During ''Nimitz''’ third cruise to the Mediterranean beginning on Sept. 10, 1979, she was dispatched to strengthen the U.S. Naval forces in the Indian Ocean area as tensions heightened over Iran’s taking of 52 U.S. hostages.  Four months later, Operation ''Evening Light'' was launched from ''Nimitz'' in an attempt to rescue the hostages.  The rescue was aborted in the Iranian desert when the number of operational helicopters fell below the minimum needed to complete the rescue.  ''Nimitz''’ homecoming on May 26, 1980 was, at the time, the largest given to any carrier battle group returning to the United States since the end of World War II.

During ''Nimitz''’ third cruise to the Mediterranean beginning on Sept. 10, 1979, she was dispatched to strengthen the U.S. Naval forces in the Indian Ocean area as tensions heightened over Iran’s taking of 52 U.S. hostages.  Four months later, Operation ''Evening Light'' was launched from ''Nimitz'' in an attempt to rescue the hostages.  The rescue was aborted in the Iranian desert when the number of operational helicopters fell below the minimum needed to complete the rescue.  ''Nimitz''’ homecoming on May 26, 1980 was, at the time, the largest given to any carrier battle group returning to the United States since the end of World War II.

Shortly after leaving the Gulf, the strike group participated in MALABAR 2005, the seventh annual bi-lateral exercise between the U.S. and Indian navies.  For the first time in the history of the exercise, a U.S. carrier operated together with the Indian carrier INS ''Viraat'' (R 22).   

Shortly after leaving the Gulf, the strike group participated in MALABAR 2005, the seventh annual bi-lateral exercise between the U.S. and Indian navies.  For the first time in the history of the exercise, a U.S. carrier operated together with the Indian carrier INS ''Viraat'' (R 22).   

During the deployment, the ''Nimitz'' Strike Group made a number of port visits throughout the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf including stops in Hawaii, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Bahrain, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  ''Nimitz'' also made her first-ever stops in Guam and Fremantle, Australia.  The ship returned to San Diego in November 2005 and subsequently was awarded the Pacific Fleet Battle “E” and the Admiral H. Flatley Memorial Award.

During the deployment, the ''Nimitz'' Strike Group made a number of port visits throughout the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf including stops in Hawaii, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Bahrain, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  ''Nimitz'' also made her first-ever stops in Guam and Fremantle, Australia.  The ship returned to San Diego in November 2005 and subsequently was awarded the Pacific Fleet Battle “E” and the Admiral H. Flatley Memorial Award.

==Flight deck crash in 1981==

==Flight deck crash in 1981==