Changes

'''Home port:''' [[San Diego]], [[California]].

'''Home port:''' [[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|USS ''South Carolina'']] (CGN 37) and [[USS California|''USS ''California'']] (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|USS ''South Carolina'']] (CGN 37) and [[USS California|USS ''California'']] (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.

On August 18-19, 1981, during her fourth deployment, ''Nimitz'' and USS ''Forrestal'' (CV 59) conducted an open ocean missile exercise in the Gulf of Sidra near what Libyan leader Khadafi called the “Line of Death.” On the morning of August 19, two ''Nimitz'' aircraft from VF-41, were fired upon by Libyan pilots.  ''Nimitz'' pilots returned fire and shot both Libyan aircraft from the sky.  Newspapers across the country rallied around the incident against terrorist-backing Libya with front page headlines reading: “U.S. 2 - Libya 0.”

On August 18-19, 1981, during her fourth deployment, ''Nimitz'' and USS ''Forrestal'' (CV 59) conducted an open ocean missile exercise in the [[Gulf of Sidra]] near what [[Libya]]n leader Khadafi called the “Line of Death.” On the morning of August 19, two ''Nimitz'' [[F-14 Tomcat]]s from VF-41, were fired upon by Libyan pilots.  ''Nimitz'' pilots returned fire and shot both Libyan aircraft from the sky.  It was the US Navy's first aerial combat since the [[Vietnam War]].  Newspapers across the country rallied around the incident against terrorist-backing Libya with front page headlines reading: “U.S. 2 - Libya 0.”

''Nimitz'' departed the Mediterranean on May 21, 1987, crossed the Atlantic Ocean, rounded the rough waters of Cape Horn, South America, and sailed for the first time in the waters of the Pacific Ocean enroute to her new home port of Bremerton, WA., arriving there on July 2,1987.  In September 1988, during her initial Western Pacific deployment, the ship operated off the South Korean coast to provide security for the Olympic Games in Seoul.  On October 29, 1988, ''Nimitz'' began operating in the North Arabian Sea where she participated in Operation ''Earnest Will''.  ''Nimitz'' returned home on March 2, 1989.  Following an extensive overhaul period, ''Nimitz'' departed Bremerton on February 25, 1991, for the Western Pacific and eventually the Arabian Gulf, relieving USS ''Ranger'', during Operation ''Desert Storm'' and returned home on August 24, 1991.  ''Nimitz'' again deployed on February 1, 1993 to the Arabian Gulf, relieving USS ''Kitty Hawk'' (CV 63) as part of Operation ''Southern Watch''.

''Nimitz'' departed the Mediterranean on May 21, 1987, crossed the Atlantic Ocean, rounded the rough waters of Cape Horn, South America, and sailed for the first time in the waters of the Pacific Ocean enroute to her new home port of Bremerton, WA., arriving there on July 2,1987.  In September 1988, during her initial Western Pacific deployment, the ship operated off the [[South Korea]]n coast to provide security for the Olympic Games in [[Seoul]].  On October 29, 1988, ''Nimitz'' began operating in the North Arabian Sea where she participated in Operation ''Earnest Will''.  ''Nimitz'' returned home on March 2, 1989.  Following an extensive overhaul period, ''Nimitz'' departed Bremerton on February 25, 1991, for the Western Pacific and eventually the [[Arabian Gulf]], relieving USS ''Ranger'', during [[Gulf War|Operation ''Desert Storm'']] and returned home on August 24, 1991.  ''Nimitz'' again deployed on February 1, 1993 to the Arabian Gulf, relieving USS ''Kitty Hawk'' (CV 63) as part of Operation ''Southern Watch''.

On September 1, 1997, ''Nimitz'' set out on an around-the-world cruise that would allow the carrier to return to her East Coast roots and begin a multi-year overhaul at Newport News Ship- building and Drydock Company. During the around-the-world deployment, ''Nimitz'' was ordered into the Arabian Gulf to support Operation ''Southern Watch'' and various United Nations initiatives; answering each challenge.  At times the ''Nimitz'' Battle Group was the only force available in the region to enforce U.N. sanctions as lraq launched a campaign of defiance.  

On September 1, 1997, ''Nimitz'' set out on an around-the-world cruise that would allow the carrier to return to her East Coast roots and begin a multi-year overhaul at Newport News Ship- building and Drydock Company. During the around-the-world deployment, ''Nimitz'' was ordered into the Arabian Gulf to support Operation ''Southern Watch'' and various United Nations initiatives; answering each challenge.  At times the ''Nimitz'' Battle Group was the only force available in the region to enforce U.N. sanctions as lraq launched a campaign of defiance.  

Before the cruise was over, the U.S. returned to a policy of keeping two carriers in the Gulf simultaneously.  ''Nimitz'' returned to Virginia on March 1, 1998 and on May 26, 1998 began her mid-life refueling overhaul.  On June 25, 2001, ''Nimitz'' departed Newport News Shipbuilding and began preparations for her transition to her new home port of San Diego, California.  ''Nimitz'' arrived in its new home port of San Diego on November 13, 2001.  

Before the cruise was over, the U.S. returned to a policy of keeping two carriers in the Gulf simultaneously.  ''Nimitz'' returned to Virginia on March 1, 1998 and on May 26, 1998 began her mid-life refueling overhaul.  On June 25, 2001, ''Nimitz'' departed Newport News Shipbuilding and began preparations for her transition to her new home port of San Diego, California.  ''Nimitz'' arrived in its new home port of San Diego on November 13, 2001.  

As hostilities grew during the early part of 2003, ''Nimitz'' was tasked to set sail in March to support combat operations in Afghanistan and lraq as part of Operations ''Enduring Freedom'' and ''Iraqi Freedom''. The ship returned to San Diego in November after more than eight months at sea.  As a result of the crew’s hard work and the ship’s success, ''Nimitz'' was awarded the Battle “E,” as the finest carrier in the Pacific Fleet; the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; the Navy Unit Commendation; and the 2003 Admiral H. Flatley Memorial Award for excellence in aviation safety, in combination with the ship’s air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11.

As hostilities grew during the early part of 2003, ''Nimitz'' was tasked to set sail in March to support combat operations in [[Afghanistan]] and Iraq as part of Operations ''Enduring Freedom'' and ''Iraqi Freedom''. The ship returned to San Diego in November after more than eight months at sea.  As a result of the crew’s hard work and the ship’s success, ''Nimitz'' was awarded the Battle “E,” as the finest carrier in the Pacific Fleet; the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; the Navy Unit Commendation; and the 2003 Admiral H. Flatley Memorial Award for excellence in aviation safety, in combination with the ship’s air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11.

In May 2005, ''Nimitz'' embarked on a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf in support of Operation ''Iraqi Freedom'' and the [[Global War on Terrorism]].  These operations helped set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complemented the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations.  While in the Fifth Fleet area of operations, ''Nimitz'' and its embarked air wing, CVW 11, launched more than 4,500 sorties totaling more than 11,000 flight hours.  More than 1,100 sorties and 6,000 flight hours were flown in direct support of troops on the ground in Iraq.

In May 2005, ''Nimitz'' embarked on a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf in support of Operation ''Iraqi Freedom'' and the [[Global War on Terrorism]].  These operations helped set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complemented the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations.  While in the Fifth Fleet area of operations, ''Nimitz'' and its embarked air wing, CVW 11, launched more than 4,500 sorties totaling more than 11,000 flight hours.  More than 1,100 sorties and 6,000 flight hours were flown in direct support of troops on the ground in Iraq.

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==