USS Nimitz returns to Naval Base Kitsap Dec. 10

The ‘Old Salt’ returns to Bremerton on Dec. 10. Here are some recent highlights of the ship’s voyage home

By Richard Walker Kitsap News Group • December 8, 2017 1:30 am
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U.S. Navy sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), cut the Sailor of the Year cake, Nov. 3 in the Sea of Japan. From left, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Hugo Echeverritrujillo, Senior Sailor of the Year; Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class James Gibbens, Sailor of the Year; Capt. Kevin Lenox, commanding officer; Electronics Technician 3rd Class Dallymae Arce, Junior Sailor of the Year; Air Traffic Controller Airman Apprentice Connor Jonas, Blue Jacket of the Year. (Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Emily Johnston/U.S. Navy)
U.S. Navy sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), cut the Sailor of the Year cake, Nov. 3 in the Sea of Japan. From left, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Hugo Echeverritrujillo, Senior Sailor of the Year; Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class James Gibbens, Sailor of the Year; Capt. Kevin Lenox, commanding officer; Electronics Technician 3rd Class Dallymae Arce, Junior Sailor of the Year; Air Traffic Controller Airman Apprentice Connor Jonas, Blue Jacket of the Year. (Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Emily Johnston/U.S. Navy)

BREMERTON — There’s no place like home for the holidays. And the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) will arrive home at Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton after a six-month deployment in time to celebrate the season.

The ship will arrive at approximately noon Dec. 10. Best public viewing will be along the Bainbridge Island waterfront, and the Bremerton and Port Orchard waterfront areas abutting Sinclair Inlet. Traffic may be heavier in Bremerton a few hours before and after the ship’s return.

USS Nimitz departed Bremerton on June 1. The carrier, embarked with Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG 11), returns home to Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton. Guided-missile destroyers USS Shoup (DDG 86) and USS Kidd (DDG 100) return to Naval Station Everett.

The strike group consists of USS Nimitz, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, and guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59). The air wing and DESRON command staff disembarked in San Diego on Dec. 5. USS Princeton and guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) arrived at their homeport at Naval Base San Diego on Dec. 5 as well. USS Pinckney (DDG 91) returns to its homeport at Naval Base San Diego on Dec. 10.

CVW-11 consists of Lemoore, California-based Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, VFA 154, VFA 146, Whidbey Island-based Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, Norfolk-based Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, and San Diego-based Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 and Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30.

The strike group:

  • Sailed more than 78,000 miles during the deployment (equivalent to approximately five times around the world).
  • Flew more than 1,300 combat sorties into Iraq and Syria.
  • Dropped more than 900 pieces of ordnance.

The strike group conducted training and operations with the:

  • French Marine Nationale.
  • Indian Navy.
  • Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
  • Republic of Korea Navy.
  • Royal Australian Navy.
  • United Kingdom’s Royal Navy.
  • Royal New Zealand Navy.

These included Malabar 17 in the Indian Ocean, Intrepid Sentinel in the Gulf of Oman, and landmark Three-Carrier Strike Force Operations in the Western Pacific. In addition, the strike group conducted visit, board, search and seizure drills, close-in coordinated maneuvers, flag hoisting drills, sea surveillance, replenishments-at-sea, maritime patrol and reconnaissance, explosive ordnance disposal operations, and air, surface, and anti-submarine warfare training.

“I am very proud of the entire Strike Group and all that our sailors and Marines accomplished during this deployment,” said Rear Adm. Gregory Harris, commander, Nimitz Strike Group. “The team demonstrated the professionalism, strength, and resolve of the U.S. Navy around the world. They battled through the intense heat of the Arabian Gulf to conduct operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, and now it’s time for all of us to get back and enjoy some well-deserved family time.”

Over the six-month span, the strike group conducted port visits in:

  • Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
  • Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  • Chennai, India.
  • Manama, Bahrain.
  • Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
  • Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
  • Hamad, Qatar.
  • Duqm, Oman.
  • Pattaya, Thailand.
  • Sasebo, Japan.

Sailors participated in numerous volunteer events, including interacting with children at schools, visiting patients at hospitals, and socializing with animals at shelters. USS Pinckney sailors also participated in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 50th anniversary celebration in Thailand, which included an International Fleet Review, conferences, and a parade.

Nimitz Strike Group is part of U.S. 3rd Fleet, which leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. U.S. 3rd Fleet constantly coordinates with U.S. 7th Fleet to plan and execute missions based on their complementary strengths to promote ongoing peace, security, and stability throughout the entire Pacific theater of operations.

U.S. Navy Capt. Kevin Lenox, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), speaks prior to a frocking ceremony in the ship’s hangar bay, Nov. 24 in the Pacific Ocean. Four hundred crew members were promoted in the ceremony. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cole Schroeder/U.S. Nacvy)

U.S. Navy Capt. Kevin Lenox, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), speaks prior to a frocking ceremony in the ship’s hangar bay, Nov. 24 in the Pacific Ocean. Four hundred crew members were promoted in the ceremony. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cole Schroeder/U.S. Nacvy)

U.S. Navy Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class Corey Oliver, of Houston, Texas, meets with his family on the pier after the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), arrived at Naval Air Station North Island, Dec. 5 in Coronado, California. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific region routinely for more than 70 years promoting peace and security. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cole Schroeder/U.S. Navy)

U.S. Navy Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class Corey Oliver, of Houston, Texas, meets with his family on the pier after the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), arrived at Naval Air Station North Island, Dec. 5 in Coronado, California. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific region routinely for more than 70 years promoting peace and security. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cole Schroeder/U.S. Navy)

A U.S. Navy sailor’s son waits on the pier to meet his father for the first time after the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) returned to Naval Air Station North Island, Dec. 5 in Coronado, California. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific region routinely for more than 70 years promoting peace and security. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emily Johnston/U.S. Navy)

A U.S. Navy sailor’s son waits on the pier to meet his father for the first time after the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) returned to Naval Air Station North Island, Dec. 5 in Coronado, California. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific region routinely for more than 70 years promoting peace and security. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emily Johnston/U.S. Navy)

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