Last week, the tried-and-true USS Nimitz aircraft carrier completed an important mission. The historic flat-top had been assigned to the Southern Command area of responsibility and concluded the “Southern Seas” naval exercise in South America.
This was a significant show of force by the old Nimitz, demonstrating to the world that this floating airbase still has its mojo.
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 30, 2018) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 flies by the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during dual-carrier sustainment operations with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). In addition to demonstrating the Navy’s inherent flexibility and scalability, this evolution provides the opportunity to conduct complex, multi-unit training to enhance maritime interoperability and combat readiness; prepare the Navy to protect our homeland; and preserve and promote peace anywhere around the world. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Juan Sotolongo/Released)
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Jan. 22, 2021 The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) breaks away from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) following a replenishment-at-sea exercise, Jan. 22, 2022. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and security, and defend U.S., allied and partner interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bela Chambers)
Patrol Closer to Home
President Donald Trump’s national security team has shown a renewed emphasis on the Western Hemisphere to protect American interests in its neighborhood.
The Nimitz was able to circumnavigate South America to display its mighty power to carry the flag and deter any adversary willing to sail close to U.S. shores or to deploy ships that could threaten U.S. allies in the region.
The Nimitz Did a Nice Job in the Western Hemisphere
“Throughout the deployment, the strike group conducted vital engagements with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Uruguay, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. The fleet also successfully executed high-visibility port visits in Brazil, Chile, Jamaica, and Panama, further cementing enduring ties with host nations,” according to a U.S. Navy news release.
Can the USS John F. Kennedy Be Ready in Time?
This is a positive development, but just how many more deployments can the Nimitz conduct?
It was supposed to be retired by now, but the U.S. Navy extended its service life until the new Ford-class super carrier USS John F. Kennedy is ready for active duty.
(September 11, 2003) – USS Nimitz (CVN 68) navigates one of the busier sea lanes in the Indian Ocean. Nimitz is deployed with Nimitz Carrier Strike Force in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Sadaam Hussein. US Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Monica L. McLaughlin.
It could be 2028 before the Kennedy hits the high seas. Since the U.S. must maintain 11 carriers at all times, the Nimitz must still be ready for missions that could involve active combat.
It would need an RCOH to deploy to the Middle East or the Indo-Pacific
The Nimitz is the Navy’s oldest aircraft carrier, and while extending its life is appealing, the vessel’s advanced age remains a concern.
Nuclear refueling last happened in 2021. So it would really need another Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) before it could be sent on an additional deployment. So the Nimitz is actually ready to be retired now rather than in 2028.
But the Navy is happy that it completed the South American mission.
This shows the world that the American maritime force is better than ever at keeping the world safe for carrier-based missions amid numerous wars and geopolitical threats.
What About the Amount of Nuclear Fuel?
So, how much nuclear fuel is left in the Nimitz?
The Navy keeps this information under lock and key. I would say the propulsion system needs some tender loving care, since the last RCOH was 25 years ago.
I don’t see missions for the Nimitz anymore, and that is a problem for the Navy as it struggles to ready the USS John F. Kennedy supercarrier.
The Navy Is In Decent Shape With Its Carriers
This may not be all that bad for the Navy, though. Carrier operations have been successful lately. Operation Epic Fury saw the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford dominate.
They pushed their aviation units hard to conduct nearly 24-7 operations that saw strike airplanes punish Iranian nuclear infrastructure and military targets.
Without the Lincoln and the Ford, the United States would not have enjoyed such prowess against Iran.
That leaves the Navy to ponder the next step in carrier use and strategy.
This could be the end of the Nimitz as the service branch waits on the Kennedy. The Pentagon is planning for the JFK to be ready in March of 2027.
That seems too optimistic to me, as the Ford-class has experienced many schedule slips and cost overruns.
The Nimitz Has Found a Final Resting Place
Could the Nimitz conduct one more deployment in the next two years? That pesky nuclear fuel problem could crop up.
I just don’t see the Nimitz taking to the waves again, and that would mean the Navy would be down another carrier.
How About Action in the Caribbean?
One mission the Nimitz could maybe handle in 2027 would be a deployment to the Caribbean.
President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have declared war on narco-terrorists close to American shores.
A Nimitz-led carrier strike group could do some damage to these drug runners. Other than that potential use case, I just don’t see the Nimitz assigned any other type of mission before it retires.
But the Training Mission Is More Likely
That doesn’t mean the Navy is hurting that badly.
The JFK will eventually be ready. Meanwhile, the Nimitz could be used as a training carrier, allowing aviators to rehearse launching and landing.
That makes sense for optimal uses that would help the Navy train more pilots in the most difficult phase of aviation training.
The Nimitz has been a great carrier. No mission besides a Caribbean deployment is likely in the cards.
It would require a full RCOH, which could take another four to five years. But what an amazing history for this flat-top, which recently answered the call to South America without issue.
Next will likely be a training mission that will educate pilots in the ways of carrier aviation, and that’s not a bad final job for this famous flat-top.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Author of now over 3,500 articles on defense issues, 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 US 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 US Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
