Key Points – The USS Nimitz (CVN-68), the lead ship of its class and a symbol of US naval power for 50 years, is currently conducting its final patrol in the South China Sea before its impending retirement.
-Commissioned in 1975, the nuclear-powered carrier is operating with Carrier Air Wing 17 and Destroyer Squadron 9, launching F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and projecting US presence in a contested region aimed at deterring Chinese assertiveness.
-This deployment underscores the Navy’s strategy of maintaining at least two carriers in East Asia. While the Nimitz requires expensive maintenance, its decommissioning marks the end of a significant era as new Ford-class carriers come online.
The End of a Splendid Era: The USS Nimitz Makes Its Last Patrol
Can you believe that the U.S. Navy has a carrier that has served for 50 years?
The USS Nimitz is a dynastic ship that has left American enemies in awe over its combat power, long-duration deployments, and ability to bring the fight to adversaries anywhere in the world. The Nimitz, however, is in the process of being retired after decades of loyal service.
The Nimitz was first commissioned in 1975, and Father Time is catching up to it.
The Navy has the Gerald R. Ford-class supercarriers that are being built and coming online with many modern features that will allow the Americans to dominate enemies with long-range aviation operations.
What Is the De-commission Status?
The retirement process for the Nimitz is already underway. Huntington Ingalls Inc. has received an $18.4 million contract with Naval Sea Systems Command to begin the planning stages of decommissioning. Sea Systems Command already submitted a plan for the deactivation of the Nimitz last fall.
However, the Nimitz crew did not get the memo about retirement. The hardy carrier is still patrolling the waves and sending its aircraft over the skies of some of the most dangerous waters in the world. The Nimitz is currently steaming around the South China Sea – an East Asian hot spot that could be the region where war with China could start someday.
The Nimitz is launching F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets regularly. These warbirds are from the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22.
The Floating Air Base Is as Strong as Ever
The carrier left Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, on March 21, 2025, and journeyed to East Asia.
This is a fitting last campaign for the Nimitz that has served in so many combat operations in the previous five decades.
This will be the last deployment and the carrier strike group is making the best of it with Carrier Air Wing 17 and Destroyer Squadron 9 pulling their weight for round-the-clock operations.
Two Carriers in East Asia at All Times
To join the Nimitz in the Indo-Pacific, the USS George Washington carrier is in northeast Asia. This is an order of battle that the Navy wants to continuously pursue – having at least two carriers in East Asia at all times. The Indo-Pacific will be a decisive group of waters for the Navy in the coming years and the Pentagon wants to project power there to keep the sea lines of communication open and freedom of navigation at maximum levels.
Leader of an Amphibious Attack with Marine Corps
One reason that Nimitz is so important is that if could lead an amphibious attack group that includes U.S. Marines. The amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) is in the Philippine Sea and the Nimitz could accompany it to invade an island if necessary. The America can also launch aircraft such as the F-35B Lightning II STOVL jump jet and the versatile CV-22 Osprey to transport marines quickly to battle.
China is usually up to no good in the region. They act belligerent toward Taiwan. The Chinese navy and coast guard use aggressive “grey zone” tactics short of war against vessels from the Philippine navy, and they threaten to choke off transit points with anti-access/ area denial maritime tactics.
It is necessary for the Navy and Marine Corps to have a presence in these waters to keep China from setting up a confrontation that could lead to an accident or miscalculation that would set spark an international incident.
Say Hello to a Nimitz Veteran
The Nimitz is perfect for these deterrence roles. It is just too bad the ship is heading to retirement status. The carrier requires expensive and lengthy maintenance periods, and keeping it in the water is a full-time job. It’s time to exit the stage. If you ever see a Navy veteran wearing a USS Nimitz ball cap around town, congratulate this sailor for serving on a carrier that has been a keeper of the sea for so long. You may start a conversation and hear some sea stories about the Nimitz that will entertain you for hours.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
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