USS Nimitz returns to Sinclair Inlet after training

People watch from the bow of the USS Turner Joy as the USS Nimitz returns to Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton on Saturday.
People watch from the bow of the USS Turner Joy as the USS Nimitz returns to Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton on Saturday.
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The USS Nimitz returned to Sinclair Inlet on Saturday after several weeks of training at sea. In addition to testing the systems aboard the carrier, the USS Nimitz trained with Carrier Strike Group 11.

"Nimitz sailors performed with the utmost dedication, drive, and excellence during this period of training and testing. A great deal of work has been done during the past several weeks,” said Capt. Craig C. Sicola, the warship's 20th commanding officer. “I have all the confidence in the world that the team aboard this mighty warship is ready to handle any challenge that comes our way."

The strike group, led by Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney, embarked together for the first time in more than two years.

“We were able to combine our strengths, and each command that makes up this team has demonstrated the operational excellence required to ensure national security and global stability through hard work, patience and trust.” Sweeney said. “This underway period has proven that our ships, aircraft, equipment, and most importantly, our sailors are ready to do the nation's bidding when the time comes."

The Washington State Ferry Walla Walla passes the USS Nimitz as the aircraft carrier returns to Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton on Saturday.
The Washington State Ferry Walla Walla passes the USS Nimitz as the aircraft carrier returns to Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton on Saturday.

As part of the ship’s Distinguished Visitor program, three astronauts and seven support staff from NASA were also aboard the USS Nimitz during training.

"Embarking on the ship has given both the crew of the USS Nimitz and NASA flight controllers, astronauts, and engineers an opportunity to come together and see what we have in common,” said U.S. Army Col. and NASA Astronaut Andrew Morgan.

The NASA team expressed appreciation for the USS Nimitz for hosting them and shared their admiration for the crew’s hard work and commitment to teamwork. “We want every sailor on the USS Nimitz to know that we are very proud. NASA, the astronauts, and the entire space industry wouldn't exist without people like you aboard this ship. It's been our honor to be here with you onboard, and to have been hosted so well,” Morgan said.

"Being able to meet everybody has been my favorite part. Seeing the stuff on the flight deck has been amazing, but being able to meet, talk to, and see the pride that everybody has in their work has been really special to me,” said NASA flight surgeon Benjamin Johansen.

In March 2021, the USS Nimitz returned from a 99,000-mile, 11-month deployment across the globe. The 1,092-foot carrier launched and landed more than 8,600 planes during a trip that began alongside the COVID-19 pandemic.

NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, and Andrew Morgan present a gift to the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. The astronauts presented an American flag, which was flown in space, to the crew of the Nimitz as a gesture of appreciation during their visit.
NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, and Andrew Morgan present a gift to the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. The astronauts presented an American flag, which was flown in space, to the crew of the Nimitz as a gesture of appreciation during their visit.

At the start of 2022, after months of repair work, the USS Nimitz again left Bremerton to prepare for its next deployment. At that time, 40% of the crew was new to the ship with an expanded crew of about 5,000 sailors (up from the carrier’s Bremerton crew of 3,000). In late March, the carrier returned to Bremerton after two months of training off the coast of San Diego.

The USS Nimitz most recently left Bremerton in early May of 2022, where it continued training for the carrier’s next deployment. The ship was joined in the Pacific waters by other ships in its strike group, including destroyers and cruisers.

Alongside the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is currently in dry dock 6 at the Puget Sound Naval Yard for maintenance, the USS Nimitz is one of two aircraft carriers based in Bremerton. The two ships are part of the 11 carriers in the Navy’s fleet.

Named after World War II hero Chester Nimitz, an admiral who helped defeat the Japanese Navy, the USS Nimitz is nearing the end of its Naval career. After 47 years on the water, the ship — commissioned in 1975 — is due to be decommissioned in 2025. Though the upcoming deployment may be one of the USS Nimitz’s last, there have been discussions about extending the ship’s life.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: USS Nimitz returns to Sinclair Inlet after training