Changes

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 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.”

''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 homeport 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 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''.

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 homeport of San Diego, California.  ''Nimitz'' arrived in its new homeport 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 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.