• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

USS Nimitz Celebrates Three Decades of Service

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050517-08
Release Date: 5/17/2005 1:59:00 PM

By Journalist 2nd Class Kris Allen, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- During the first week of a Western Pacific deployment, crew members aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) celebrated the ship’s 30th birthday May 12.

The aircraft carrier’s commanding officer, Capt. Ted Branch, gave a short address to the crew and then cut a birthday cake with help from the ship’s two “Old Salts,” two Sailors from Fleet Adm. Nimitz’ home state of Texas, and the Sailor who had served the longest time aboard the ship.

Branch discussed Adm. Nimitz, the ship’s namesake, and talked about some of the highlights of the ship’s history. He ended his remarks by focusing on the progress of the current deployment. “I’m happy to be out here with you guys, and I think we’re going to do a great job,” he commented.

Throughout the day, the movies “The Final Countdown,” “Midway,” and a short film entitled “The Nimitz Story,” narrated by Walter Cronkite, was aired on the ship’s television system.

During the past three decades, Nimitz has made more than 10 deployments, including a world cruise and cruises in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Desert Storm and Southern Watch.

Nimitz has also changed homeports three times, beginning with Norfolk, Va., then moving to Bremerton, Wash., in 1987, and finally moving to San Diego in June 2001 after a three-year mid-life refueling overhaul in Virginia.

The ship has earned numerous awards in her 30 years, including the 2004 Pacific Fleet Battle “E,” the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation, and the 2003 Admiral H. Flatley Memorial Award for excellence in aviation safety.

Nimitz is the flagship for Commander, Carrier Strike Group 11, led by Rear Adm. Peter Daly. The strike group and Carrier Air Wing 11 deployed May 7 in support of the global war on terrorism.