U.S Navy’s Oldest Carrier USS Nimitz Arrives At Naval Station, Mayport, After Final Overseas Deployment

The US Navy’s oldest nuclear-powered supercarrier, the USS Nimitz, returned to American waters on its 101st day of deployment.

It arrived at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, on Tuesday afternoon for the first port call since it left San Diego in March.

USS Nimitz spent 3 months in Central and South America and during this deployment, it earned the title of the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the history of the U.S. Navy, surpassing the USS Enterprise.

The warship will continue on its northbound course and return to its new homeport at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia.

Nimitz participated in the Southern Seas 26 multinational exercises, where it trained with naval units of Chile, Argentina and Brazil, among other countries.

It also hosted various dignitaries from Panama and Jamaica who were flown out to the warship to meet Rear Adm. Cassidy Norman, commander of Carrier Strike Group 11, and Capt. Joseph Furco, commanding officer of Nimitz.

USS Nimitz will retire in March 2027 and will be replaced by USS John F. Kennedy, the second Gerald R. Ford-class carrier.