The keel of USS Nimitz was laid on June 22, 1968 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Va. It was destined to become the largest warship ever. The ship was commissioned May 3, 1975, at Pier 12, Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

CVN 68 first deployment began on July 7, 1976, when it departed Norfolk for the Mediterranean. Included in the task force were the nuclear-powered cruisers USS South Carolina and USS California. The deployment marked the first time in 10 years that nuclear-powered ships had deployed to the Mediterranean. In November 1976, it was awarded the coveted Battle "E" from Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic Fleet, for being the most efficient and foremost aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Fleet. The ship returned to Norfolk Feb. 7, 1977, after a seven-month deployment.

USS Nimitz again sailed toward the Mediterranean Sea December 1, 1977. Following a peaceful deployment, the ship returned home to Norfolk July 20, 1978.

During the third cruise to the Mediterranean beginning Sept. 10, 1979, it was dispatched to strengthen the U.S. Naval presence in the crucial Indian Ocean area as tensions heightened over Iran's taking of 52 American hostages. Four months later, Operation "Evening Light" was launched from carrier in an attempt to rescue the hostages. The rescue was aborted in the Iranian Desert when the number of operational helicopters fell below the minimum needed to transport the attack force and hostages out of Iran. During its deployment, the ship operated 144 continuous days at sea. Nimitz' homecoming on May 26, 1980 was, at the time, the largest given to any carrier battle group returning to the United States since the end of World War II. The ship's crew was greeted by President and Mrs. Carter, members of Congress, military leaders and thousands of families and friends.

On May 15, 1981 she departed Norfolk for the final phases of her workup schedule for an upcoming Mediterranean Cruise. On the night of May 25, an EA-6B Prowler crash-landed on the flight deck, killing 14 crewmen and injuring 45 others. The carrier returned to port to repair damaged catapults and returned to sea less than 48 hours later to complete its training schedule. On August 18 and 19, 1981 during its fourth deployment, USS Nimitz and USS Forrestal conducted an open ocean missile exercise in the Gulf of Sidra near what Libyan leader Khadafi called the "Line of Death." On the morning of August 19, two aircraft from VF-41 were fired upon by Libyan pilots. The pilots returned fire and shot both Libyan aircraft from the sky. Newspapers across the country rallied around the incident against terrorist-backing Libya with front-page headlines reading "U.S. 2 - Libya 0."

On June 14, 1985, two Lebanese Shiite Muslim gunmen hijacked TWA Flight 847, carrying 153 passengers and crew, including many Americans. In response, CVN 68 was ordered to steam at flank speed to the Eastern Mediterranean, off the coast of Lebanon, where it remained until August. After another extended deployment, the carrier left the Mediterranean on May 21, 1987. It crossed the Atlantic Ocean, rounded the rough waters of Cape Horn, South America, and sailed for the first time in the waters of the Pacific Ocean enroute to its new homeport, Bremerton, Wash. Shr arrived there July 2, 1987.

In September, 1988 the ship operated off the South Korean coast to provide security for the Olympic Games in Seoul. On October 29, USS Nimitz began operating in the North Arabian Sea where it participated in Operation "Earnest Will." This operation called for U.S. Navy ships to protect shipping lanes and escort U.S. registered (re-flagged) Kuwaiti tankers.

On February 25, 1991, CVN 68 departed Bremerton for the western Pacific and eventually the Arabian Gulf, where it relieved USS Ranger (CV 61), during Operation Desert Storm. The ship returned to Bremerton August 24.

February 1, 1993 USS Nimitz again departed for a six-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf, relieving USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) to take its place as part of Operation Southern Watch.

November 27, 1995 USS Nimitz deployed to western Pacific, Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf, and to the waters off Taiwan, where once again the presence of carrier forces at sea positively influenced events ashore, calming a volatile standoff between mainland China and Taiwan.

On September 1, 1997, the Nimitz set out on an around-the-world cruise that would see the carrier return to her East Coast roots and begin a multi-year overhaul in the Newport News shipyard where she was built. The around-the-world deployment promised to be an exciting experience with scheduled port visits ranging from the Far East to the Mediterranean Sea; however, she was ordered into the Arabian Gulf to support Operation Southern Watch and various United Nation initiatives. Answering each challenge, USS Nimitz served on station in the Arabian Gulf throughout the holidays and returned to a celebrated and long anticipated homecoming on March 1, 1998. On May 26, she began a mid-life refueling overhaul that will enable her to provide her nation with a second quarter century of service.

USS Nimitz completed refuelling in June 2001 and departed Norfolk on Sept. 21, enroute for her new homeport in San Diego via Cape Horn. CVN 68 arrived in San Diego November 8.

The Nimitz began a four-month Post-Shakedown Availability at Naval Air Station North Island in January 2002. She ended her pier-side availability in May and conducted sea trials, the first step in preparation for her overseas deployment.

USS Nimitz began training in preperation for its western Pacific deployment in August. Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) One started on Aug. 13 and marked the first phase in a 16-week evaluation period of her crewmembers, as they were evaluated on their damage control knowledge and their ability to apply that knowledge to real life scenarios aboard the ship. In September CVN 68 began TSTA II/III and also conducted exercises testing out its CEC system. This test of the CEC system was the first for the West Coast. The carrier returned to San Diego in mid-September. In mid-October it had left port for engineering work-ups.

Reports, both from the media and from the Navy through Fall 2002, indicated that the Nimitz was due to depart for WestPac in early FY '03 or by the end of 2002. However, as of mid-November the ship had yet to take part in any additional major training exercises that would indicate that a deployment was forthcoming though there are indications that her crew has been alerted to the possibility of a January deployment if the need arises. She continued to depart San Diego for very short underway periods in late 2002 and it is possible that the carrier was experiencing technical or engineering difficulties following her RCOH.

December 9, The aircraft carrier departed San Diego for engineering trials and other training.

USS Nimitz Carrier Battle Group got underway from San Diego January 10, 2003, to begin a compressed three-week training exercise. The first two weeks will focus on a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), and the last week will concentrate on a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX).

The ship returned to San Diego on or about Jan. 30, having completed both her COMPTUEX and JTFEX. Visuals of the Nimitz indicated that her entire Air Wing was still present on the aircraft carrier even though she was pier side at North Island. This seemed to indicate that the ship would be deployed soon after the return to San Diego as standard procedure is for the Air Wing to return to Lemoore upon completion of exercises.

March 3, USS Nimitz CBG departed San Diego for a surge Middle East deployment.

The Nimitz entered the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility on or about April 3, making it the fourth carrier strike group in the region deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This deployment marks the first time the carrier has deployed to the U.S. Central Command region since 1997.

May 12, The aircraft carrier departed Jebel Ali, U.A.E., after a five-day port visit to Dubai.

On July 3, she made another port call at Jebel Ali and stayed until July 9 after which it continued to conduct operations in support of Iraqi Freedom.

Throughout much of August and into early September the Nimitz transited back and forth from the North Arabian Sea into the Persian Gulf. On or about Sept. 6 she began heading east, enterring the Indian Ocean on September 8. On Sept. 11 she was in the Andaman Sea and made a port call at Singapore on 12th. After conducting operations in the Indian Ocean and the Andaman Sea throughout the rest of September into October the carrier made one final port call at Singapore on October 8, departing that port on or about Oct. 13. On 14th she was in the South China Sea, and on 20th she enterred the Pacific Ocean. USS Nimitz, USS Princeton (CG 59) and combat support ship USS Bridge will first make a brief port call in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Oct. 27, before getting underway for their final leg home Oct. 31.

November 5, USS Nimitz returned to homeport after an extended eight-month deployment. During the ship's underway period, aircraft from CVW-11 flew more than 6,500 missions in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition, this was the first deployment of the F/A-18F and E-2C Hawkeye 2000. CVN 68 is also the first aircraft carrier to deploy with two Super Hornet squadrons.

USS Nimitz officially kicked off its planned incremental availability (PIA) Feb. 23, 2004, to begin a six-month maintenance period to prepare the ship for its next deployment. From air conditioning units and electronics, to berthing spaces and self-service laundry, the ship will receive many upgrades, improvements and repairs. Besides the quality of life improvements the carrier is scheduled to receive, it will also have an overhaul of some of its mission essential equipment and systems. One of the most complex tasks to be performed during Nimitz's PIA will be modifying the ship's 10 air conditioning plants to use environmentally friendly refrigerant. The replacement of catwalk grating, the rework of the catapults, the resurfacing of the flight deck and the replacement of service steam piping throughout the ship are also scheduled.

August 17, Vice Adm. James M. Zortman relieved Vice Adm. Michael D. Malone as Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific, during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the Nimitz.

August 21, CVN 68 is currently conducting sea trials off the coast of southern California after completing a Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) period. On Aug. 26, the aircraft carrier conducted daytime flight operations for the first time since returning home from OIF.

November 20, USS Nimitz pulled back into Naval Air Station North Island after an arduous 23 days at sea completing Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA) phases I, II and III, and Final Evaluation Period (FEP). It has taken only three months for carrier to become "emergency surge" deployable in accordance with the Navy’s Fleet Response Plan since returning to full operational status after a six-month pierside Planned Incremental Availability. Though the ship received the highest grade of outstanding for its TSTA and FEP, it will not put what it learned on the back burner. The ship’s training organization used the TSTA/FEP as a cornerstone in preparation of its Composite Unit Training Exercise or COMPTUEX, which begins next week.

November 23, Capt. Ted N. Branch relieved Capt. Bob Gilman as commanding officer of USS Nimitz.

December 2, The aircraft carrier is currently off the coast of southern California conducting Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPUTEX).

January 26, 2005 CVN 68 is currently conducting Operational Reactor Safeguard Examination off the coast of southern California.

March 25, USS Nimitz returned to San Diego after completing a two-week Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) in preparation for the upcoming deployment.

April 4, The Nimitz is currently conducting Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications (FRS-CQ) off the West Coast.

May 7, USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment in the Central and western Pacific.

May 18, The aircraft carrier pulled into Naval Station Pearl Harbor for a routine port visit.

June 7, USS Nimitz departed Hong Kong after a four-day port call. The ship arrived in Apra Harbor, Guam, June 18.

July 4, The Nimitz departed Port Kelang, Malaysia, after a four-day port visit to resume its deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. She entered the 5th fleet AoR in the Persian Gulf on 13th.

September 22, USS Nimitz and CVW-11 concluded nine weeks of supporting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Persian Gulf, when the ship transited the Strait of Hormuz into the Indian Ocean. Aircrafts from CVW 11 launched more than 4,500 sorties totaling more than 11,000 flight hours since entering the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations. Of those, more than 1,100 sorties and 6,000 flight hours have been in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

September 28, Transiting the Indian Ocean Carrier Strike Group participate in exercise Malabar 2005, with the Indian Navy, designed to increase interoperability between the two navies while enhancing the cooperative security relationship between India and the United States. The at-sea exercise includes maritime interdiction, surface events, sub-surface, air events and personnel exchanges. Malabar '05 is scheduled to conclude October 5th.

October 18, The Nimitz and the fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10) made a visit to the "land down under" October 7-12th when the ships pulled into Fremantle, Australia.

October 30, CVN 68 pulled into Naval Station Pearl Harbor for a brief port visit and to pick up "Tigers."

November 8, USS Nimitz returned to homeport after a six-month underway period in the western Pacific and Arabian Gulf.

January 6, 2006 The aircraft carrier is currently preparing for Inspection and Survey (INSURV) off the coast of southern California.

February 1, CVN 68 is currently conducting Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications (FRS-CQ) off the West Coast.

February 8, The Nimitz is underway off the coast of southern California conducting Operational Reactor Safeguard Examination (ORSE).

February 11, USS Nimitz transfered the ammunition to USNS Bridge and USS John C. Stennis, February 10-11th. She is currently preparing for a major propulsion plant examination off the West Coast.

August 30, The aircraft carrier is currently underway conducting sea trials after successfully completing a six-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) period.

September 16, USS Nimitz departed San Diego with more than 3,200 guests, for a "Friends and Family Day Cruise."

October 3, The Navy paraded ships and aircraft through San Diego Bay Oct. 1 to kick-off San Diego's Fleet Week celebration. Nearly 100,000 San Diegans and visitors from neighboring towns watched ships, including USS Nimitz, USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), USS Ogden (LPD 5) and USS Princeton (CG 59) sail through San Diego Bay. People also lined up for ship tours immediately following the procession.

October 9, Thousands of spectators gathered along the embarcadero and Marina Green Oct. 7 to view the annual parade of ships, kicking off San Francisco Fleet Week 2006. The flotilla of Navy vessels highlighting the event included USS Nimitz, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), USS Princeton (CG 59), USS Chafee (DDG 90), USS Higgins (DDG 76) and USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53). U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Steadfast (WMEC 623) also participated in the procession.

November 2, CVN 68 passed another milestone on the way to deployment when the crew successfully completed Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) after more than 30 days at sea.

December 1, The San Diego-based aircraft carrier, along with Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW 11), is currently underway conducting Composite Training Unit Excercise (COMPTUEX) off the coast of southern California.

January 12, 2007 USS Nimitz is currently underway conducting routine training exercises in the Pacific Ocean.

January 31, CVN 68 is currently underway conducting Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications (FRS-CQ) of the Californian coast. The ship returned to Naval Air Station North Island after a routine trainings on Feb. 15.

February 27, The Nimitz CSG is currently underway conducting Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) off the West Coast.

April 2, USS Nimitz departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment in support of the global war on terrorism.

May 8, The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to conduct maritime security operations (MSO) in regional waters, and provide air support to ground forces operating in Afghanistan and Iraq. Aircraft from CVW-11 began conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) on 11th.

May 23, USS Nimitz and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) CSG-s and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Expeditionary Strike Group entered the Persian Gulf to conduct missions in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and perform Expeditionary Strike Force (ESF) training.

June 3, CVN 68 began conducting missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom following the ship's port visit to Manama, Bahrain, May 28 - June 2. CVW-11 has flown 788 sorties and more than 2,800 hours in direct support of OEF.

July 2, USS Nimitz, along with USS Pinckney (DDG 91), pulled into Chennai, India, for a scheduled port visit. The aircraft carrier returned to Persian Gulf July 12.

August 1, Capt. Thomas Downing relieved Capt. David Woods, as Commanding Officer of CVW 11, during an airborne change of command ceremony. The Nimitz is curently in the Pacific Ocean and is scheduled to participate in Exercise Valiant Shield off the coast of Guam Aug. 7-14, along with the Kitty Hawk and Stennis Carrier Strike Groups.

August 20, Six U.S. Navy ships from USS Nimitz CSG arrived in Hong Kong for a four-day port call.

September 5, After recently departed Singapore, the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group joined more than twenty other ships from five countries, in the Bay of Bengal, to partcipate in Exercise Malabar 2007 Sept. 4-10. The exercise, stretching from India's eastern coast to the Andamans near Indonesia, will also include USS Kitty Hawk and India's lone aircraft carrier, the INS Viraat.

September 24, CVN 68 CSG departed Pearl Harbor after a two-day port visit. The USS Nimitz crew brought 1,295 special guests aboard for a Tiger Cruise back to San Diego.

September 30, USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group returned to San Diego after a six-month deployment. During that time, aircraft from Carrier Air Wing Eleven flew 8,240 hours in direct support of operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

December 5, The Nimitz is currently underway off the coast of southern California conducting sustainment training exercises.

January 24, 2008 USS Nimitz departed San Diego for a surge deployment under the Navy's Fleet Response Plan (FRP) and will operate in the western Pacific Ocean in support of U.S. commitments in the region while the forward-deployed USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) undergoes scheduled maintenance in Yokosuka, Japan.

February 9, Four F/A-18 fighter jets intercepted and escorted the Russian Tu-95 bomber as it flew at 2,000 feet above the Nimitz battle group. In total, four Tu-95's were involved. Two remained about 500 miles east of the U.S. ships, and another orbited about 50 miles away.

February 11, CVN 68 pulled into Sasebo, Japan, for a scheduled port visit.

February 28, The Nimitz arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea, to take part in Exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2008, an annual joint exercise involving forces from both the United States and Republic of Korea.

March 16, CO Michael C. Manazir completed his 1,000th career trap landing in a F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to VFA-41 "Black Aces." USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) conducted an Expeditionary Strike Force (ESF) exercise with the USS Essex (LHD 2) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) March 14-16.

March 29, The Nimitz and Kitty Hawk CSGs are currently conducting combined training exercises in the western Pacific Ocean.

April 6, The aircraft carrier departed Hong Kong after a three-day port call.

April 20, CVN 68 pulled into Apra Harbor, Guam, for a four-day port visit.

June 3, USS Nimitz returned to homeport after more than four-month underway period.

January 16, 2009 The Nimitz is currently conducting flight deck certification after completing a six-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA).

January 21, USS Nimitz departed San Diego for Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) Carrier Qualifications off the coast of southern California.

February 18, The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is currently off the West Coast conducting Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA).

March 24, CVN 68 is currently in the Pacific Ocean conducting FRS-CQ.

May 11, USS Nimitz is underway off the coast of southern California, for Composite Training Unit Excercise (COMPTUEX), in preparation for the upcoming deployment.

May 19, An HH-60H Seahawk, from Helicopter Anti Submarine Squadron (HS) 6, crashed at 11.36 p.m., about 15 miles south of Point Loma. Lt. Cmdr. Eric J. Purvis, Lt. Allison M. Oubre, Naval Air Crewman 1st Class Samuel “Grant” Kerslake, Naval Air Crewman 2nd Class Aaron L. Clingman and Naval Air Crewman 3rd Class Sean M. Ward were killed. The helicopter had taken off from the Nimitz and was involved in search-and-rescue exercises when it crashed.

June 12, Vice Adm. Richard Hunt relieved Vice Adm. Samuel Locklear III, as the 3rd Fleet commander, during a change-of-command ceremony abord the Nimitz at Naval Air Station North Island.

July 31, USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group departed San Diego for a scheduled western Pacific deployment.

August 10, Capt. Bret C. Batchelder, Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, completed his 1,000th career trap landing in a F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the "Warhawks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97.

August 24, Capt. Paul O. Monger relieved Capt. Michael C. Manazir as CO of USS Nimitz during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship at Fleet Activities Yokosuka (FAY). The aircraft carrier arrived in Japan today for a scheduled port visit.

September 8, The Nimitz arrived in Singapore for a goodwill port call.

September 18, Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 launched its first sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, after USS Nimitz CSG relieved USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) CSG on station in the North Arabian Sea.

October 7, A milestone is reached when an EA-6B Prowler, flown by "Black Ravens" XO, Cmdr. Vincent Johnson, became the 100,000th aircraft to launch off Catapult Number 1.

October 24, USS Nimitz pulled into Khalifa Bin Salman Port at Hidd for a port visit to Kingdom of Bahrain.

November 19, Two F/A-18E Super Hornets from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14 and one E-2C Hawkeye from Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117 were flown from the Nimitz Nov. 14 to promote U.S. naval aviation at the 11th Dubai International Air Show, Nov. 15-19.

December 4, CVN 68 returned to the North Arabian Sea, to resume combat missions supporting OEF, following a port visit to Jebel Ali.

December 18, Cmdr. Max McCoy relieved Cmdr. Paul Spedero as CO of the "Sidewinders" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, during an aerial change of command ceremony.

January 25, 2010 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) CSG relieved the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group as Commander, Task Force 50. Since entering the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations, CVW 11 has flown more than 2,600 combat sorties and totaled 15,296 cumulative flight hours.

January 31, USS Nimitz anchored off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, for a four-day port visit.

February 7, CVN 68 pulled to Port Klang, Malaysia, for a goodwill port visit to Kuala Lumpur.

February 16, Deputy Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 Capt. Scott Conn reached a milestone by making his 1,000th carrier-arrested landing on board the Nimitz. He is the 325th Naval aviator to successfully complete 1,000 traps.

February 17, The Nimitz CSG arrived in Hong Kong for a scheduled port call.

March 6, Rear Adm. Robert P. Girrier relieved Rear Adm. John W. Miller as Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, during a change-of-command ceremony on board the USS Nimitz in the Philippine Sea.

March 21, CVN 68 arrived in Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton to bring home members of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135 and to pick up 1200 "Tigers".

March 26, USS Nimitz returned to homeport after an extended eight-month deployment.

May 21, The Nimitz is currently undergoing a carrier incremental availability at Naval Air Station North Island in preparation for the ship's Inspection and Survey (INSURV) in October. INSURV is a major inspection mandated by Congress to assess a ship's material condition, its ability to operate its weapons, radar, engineering and navigation systems, maintain its berthing spaces, and function safely.

July 2, USS Nimitz returned to San Diego after a three-day sea trials completing the CIA.

July 12, The Nimitz departed for CQ, with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, off the coast of southern California.

August 5, CVN 68 is currently conducting a Sustainment Exercise (SUSTEX) with the CVW-11. The aircraft carrier returned to Naval Base Coronado August 20.

August 31, USS Nimitz returned to homeport after a four-day Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications (FRS-CQ).

September 2, The Nimitz departed San Diego for "blue water" operations with the CVW-11.

September 16, USS Nimitz transferred more than 1,200 tons of ordnance to the USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8), Sept. 14-15, during an ammunition offload in preparation for the ship's upcoming docking planned incremental availability (DPIA). The aircraft carrier returned to homeport Sept. 20.

October 5, CVN 68 returned to Naval Air Station North Island after a two-day demonstrations underway period for the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV).

October 22, USS Nimitz departed for Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications off the coast of southern California. The aircraft carrier returned to San Diego Oct. 28.

November 8, The Nimitz returned to homeport after a six days of routine training and CQ with the Training Air Wing One (TRAWING-1) and TRAWING-2.

December 6, USS Nimitz departed San Diego for a 12-month Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, Wash.

December 9, Just hours after the Nimitz arrived in Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, the Navy announced that the "administrative" move from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., will become a permanent homeport change but to Naval Station Everett, Wash., in December 2011, when the aircraft carrier completes a year-long maintenance. USS Nimitz will replace USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) which is scheduled to leave Washington in early fiscal 2012 for a homeport change to Norfolk, Va., for a four-year RCOH.

December 16, CVN 68 completed its move from Naval Base Kitsap to its dry-dock at the PSNS&IMF, an evolution that took more than seven hours to complete. During DPIA, the Nimitz will receive major upgrades to its combat, self-defense, navigation and potable water systems and numerous other components.

July 7, 2011 PSNS&IMF reached a milestone in the USS Nimitz's ongoing maintenance availability with the installation of two new sponsons, structures that project from the aircraft carrier to support a weapon system or antenna array.

September 29, USS Nimitz moved from dry-dock 6 to Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton's Pier Delta.