Nimitz Class

Nimitz class aircraft carrier

PDF generated using the open source mwlib toolkit. See http://code.pediapress.com/ for more information. PDF generated at: Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:42:38 UTC

ContentsArticlesOverviewNimitz class aircraft carrier 1 1 14 14 21 28 35 35 42 47 57 65 72 72 78 84 84

Nimitz subclassUSS Nimitz (CVN-68) USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)

Theodore Roosevelt subclassUSS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) USS George Washington (CVN-73) USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)

Ronald Reagan subclassUSS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77)

Design detailsA4W reactor

ReferencesArticle Sources and Contributors Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 85 87

Article LicensesLicense 89

1

OverviewNimitz class aircraft carrier

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) Class overview Name: Builders: Operators: Preceded by: Succeeded by: In commission: Planned: Completed: Active: Nimitz class aircraft carrier Newport News Shipbuilding CompanyUnited States Navy

Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier and USSEnterprise Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier 3 May 1975 10 10 USSNimitz USSDwight D. Eisenhower USSCarl Vinson USSTheodore Roosevelt USSAbraham Lincoln USSGeorge Washington USSJohn C. Stennis USSHarry S. Truman USSRonald Reagan USSGeorge H.W. Bush General characteristics

Type: Displacement: Length:

Aircraft carrier 100000 to 104600 long tons (100000106300 t) Overall: 1092feet (332.8 m) Waterline: 1040feet (317.0 m)[1]

''Nimitz'' class aircraft carrier

2Overall: 252 ft (76.8 m) Waterline: 134 ft (40.8 m) Maximum navigational: 37 ft (11.3 m) Limit: 41 ft (12.5 m) 2 Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors 4 steam turbines 4 shafts 260,000 shp (194 MW) 30+ knots (56+km/h; 35+mph) Essentially unlimited distance; 20 years Ship's company: 3,200 Air wing: 2,480

Beam: Draft: Propulsion:

Speed: Range: Complement:

Sensors and AN/SPS-48E 3-D air search radar processing systems: AN/SPS-49(V)5 2-D air search radar AN/SPQ-9B target acquisition radar AN/SPN-46 air traffic control radars AN/SPN-43C air traffic control radar AN/SPN-41 landing aid radars 4 Mk 91 NSSM guidance systems 4 Mk 95 radars Electronic warfare and decoys: Armament: Armor: Aircraft carried: SLQ-32A(V)4 Countermeasures suite SLQ-25A Nixie torpedo countermeasures

1624 Sea Sparrow or NATO Sea Sparrow missiles 3 or 4 Phalanx CIWSs or RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles[2]

2.5in (64 mm) kevlar over vital spaces 85-90 fixed wing and helicopters[3]

The Nimitz-class supercarriers are a class of ten nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in service with the United States Navy. With an overall length of 1092ft (333 m) and full-load displacements of over 100,000 long tons,[1] they are the largest capital ships in the world. Instead of the gas turbines or diesel-electric systems used for propulsion on many modern warships, the carriers use two A4W pressurized water reactors which drive four propeller shafts and can produce a maximum speed of over 30knots (56 km/h) and maximum power of around 260000shp (190MW). As a result of the use of nuclear power, the ships are capable of operating for over 20 years without refueling and are predicted to have a service life of over 50 years. They are categorized as nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and are numbered with consecutive hull numbers between CVN-68 and CVN-77.[4] All ten carriers were constructed by Newport News Shipbuilding Company in Virginia. Nimitz, the lead ship of the class, was commissioned on 3 May 1975 and George H. W. Bush, the tenth and last of the class, was commissioned on 10 January 2009. Since the 1970s, Nimitz-class carriers have participated in many conflicts and operations across the world, including Operation Eagle Claw in Iran, the Gulf War, and more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. The angled flight decks of the carriers use a CATOBAR arrangement to operate aircraft, with steam catapults and arrestor wires for launch and recovery. As well as speeding up flight deck operations, this allows for a much wider variety of aircraft than with the STOVL arrangement used on smaller carriers. An embarked carrier air wing consisting of up to around 90 aircraft is normally deployed on board. The air wings' strike fighters are primarily F/A-18F Super Hornets and F/A-18C Hornets, after the retirement of the F-14 Tomcat. In addition to their aircraft, the vessels carry short-range defensive weaponry for anti-aircraft warfare and missile defense.


3

Design and constructionDesignThe Nimitz-class aircraft carriers were ordered to supplement the aircraft carriers of the Kitty Hawk class and Enterprise class, maintaining the strength and capability of the US Navy after the older carriers were decommissioned.[5] The ships were designed to be improvements on previous US aircraft carriers, in particular the Enterprise and Forrestal-class supercarriers, by using a more modern design, although the arrangement of the ships, in particular that of their flight decks, is relatively similar to that of the Kitty Hawk class.[6] Among other design improvements, the two reactors on Nimitz class carriers take up less space than those on Enterprise, which uses eight, meaning there is more interior space. This, along with a more generally improved design, means that Nimitz-class carriers can carry 90 percent more aviation fuel and 50 percent more ordnance when compared to the Forrestal class. The US Navy has also stated that the carriers could withstand three times the damage sustained by the Essex class inflicted by Japanese air attacks during World War 2.[3] The hangars on the ships are divided into three fire bays by thick steel doors that are designed to restrict the spread of fire. This addition has been present on US aircraft carriers since World War 2, after the fires caused by Kamikaze attacks.[7] The first ships were designed around the time of the Vietnam war, and certain aspects of the design were influenced by operations there. To a certain extent, the carrier operations in Vietnam demonstrated the need for increased capabilities of aircraft carriers, over their survivability, as they were used to send sorties into the war, and were therefore less subject to attack. As a result of this experience, Nimitz carriers were designed with larger stores of aviation fuel and larger magazines in relation to previous carriers, although this was partly as a result of increased space available due to the arrangement of the ships' propulsion systems.[8] A major purpose of the ships was initially to support the US military during the Cold War, and they were designed with capabilities for that role, including using nuclear power instead of oil, for greater endurance when deployed in blue water, and the ability to make adjustments to the carriers' weapons systems on the basis of new intelligence and technological developments.[9] They were initially categorized only as attack carriers, but ships have been constructed with anti-submarine capabilities since Carl Vinson.[10] [11] As a result, the ships and their aircraft are now able to participate in a wide range of operations, which can include sea and air blockades, mine laying, and missile strikes on land, air and sea.[12] The total cost of construction for each ship was around $4.5 billion.[13] [5]

ConstructionAll ten Nimitz-class aircraft carriers were constructed between 1968 and 2006 at Newport News Shipbuilding Company, in Newport News, Virginia, in the largest dry dock in the western hemisphere, dry dock 12, now 2172feet (662 m) in length after a recent expansion. Since Roosevelt, the carriers were manufactured in modular construction (George H.W. Bush was constructed from 161 'super-lift' modules). This means that whole sections could be welded together Vinson at sea in 2010 with plumbing and electrical equipment already fitted, improving efficiency. Using gantry cranes, which can lift 2000000pounds (910 t), the modules could then be lifted into the dry dock and welded. In the case of the bow section, these can weigh over 1500000pounds (680 t).[14] [15] [16] This method was originally developed by Ingalls Shipbuilding and increases the rate of work because much of the fitting out does not have to be carried out within the confines of the already finished hull.[17]


4

DescriptionThe Nimitz class carriers have an overall length of 1092ft (333 m) and a full-load displacement of about 100,000104,000 long tons (102,000106,000 metric tons).[18] They have a beam at the waterline of 135ft (41 m) and the maximum width of their flight decks is 251ft 10in to 257ft 3in (77.76m to 78.41m) (depending on the variant). The ships' companies can number up to 3,200, not including an air wing of 2,480.[19] Due to a design flaw, ships of this class have inherent lists to starboard when under combat loads that exceed the capability of their list control systems. The problem appears to be especially prevalent on some of the more modern vessels, due to their design differences. This problem has been previously rectified by using damage control voids for ballast, but a solution using solid ballast which does not affect the ship's survivability has been proposed.[18] [20]

PropulsionAll ships of the class are powered by two A4W nuclear reactors, kept in separate compartments. They power four propeller shafts, and can produce a maximum speed of over 30knots (56 km/h) and maximum power of 260000bhp (190MW).[3] The reactors produce heat through nuclear fission which heats water. This is then passed through four turbines (manufactured by General Electric) which are shared by the two reactors. The turbines in turn power the four bronze propellers, each with a diameter of 25feet (7.6 m) and a weight of 66000pounds (30 t). Behind these are the two rudders, which are 29feet (8.8 m) high and 22feet (6.7 m) long, and each weigh 110,000pounds (unknown operator: u',' t).[21] The Nimitz-class ships constructed since Reagan also have bulbous bows in order to improve speed and fuel efficiency by reducing hydrodynamic drag.[22] As a result of the use of nuclear power, the ships are capable of operating continuously for over 20 years without refueling, and are predicted to have a service life of over 50 years.[21]

Propeller of Washington

Armament and protectionIn addition to the aircraft carried onboard, the ships carry defensive equipment for direct use against missiles and hostile aircraft. These consist of either three or four NATO RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile launchers, designed for defense against aircraft and anti-ship missiles as well as either three or four 20mm Phalanx CIWS missile defense cannons. Ronald Reagan has none of these, having been built with the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile system, two of which have also been installed on Nimitz and George Washington. These will be installed on the other ships as they return for Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH).[3] [20] Since Theodore Roosevelt, the carriers have been constructed with 2.5in (64 mm) kevlar armor over vital spaces, and earlier ships have been retrofitted with it: Nimitz in 19831984, Eisenhower from 19851987 and

Firing of a Sea Sparrow missile from Roosevelt. A Phalanx CIWS is in the left of the image.

Vinson in 1989.[2] [23] The other countermeasures the ships use are four Sippican SRBOC (super rapid bloom off-board chaff) six-barrel MK36 decoy launchers, which deploy infrared flares and chaff to disrupt the sensors of incoming missiles; an SSTDS torpedo defense system, and an AN/SLQ-25 Nixie torpedo countermeasures system. The carriers also use Raytheon AN/SLQ-32(V) electronic warfare systems to detect and disrupt hostile radar signals in addition to the electronic warfare capabilities of some of the aircraft onboard.[24] [25]

''Nimitz'' class aircraft carrier The presence of nuclear weapons on board U.S. aircraft carriers since the end of the Cold War has neither been confirmed nor denied by the U.S. government. As a result of this, as well as concerns over the safety of nuclear power, the presence of a U.S. aircraft carrier in a foreign port has occasionally provoked protest from local people, for example when Nimitz docked in Chennai, India, in 2007. At that time, the Strike Group commander Rear Admiral John Terence Blake stated that: "The US policy is that we do not routinely deploy nuclear weapons on board Nimitz."[26] [27]

5

Carrier Air WingIn order for a carrier to deploy, it must embark one of ten Carrier Air Wings (CVW).[28] The maximum number of aircraft the carriers can accommodate is 8590, but current numbers are around 64. Although the air wings are integrated with the operation of the carriers they are deployed to, they are nevertheless regarded as a separate entity. As well as the aircrew, the air wings are also made up of support personnel involved in roles including maintenance, aircraft and ordnance handling and emergency procedures. Each person on the flight deck wears colored clothing to make their role easily identifiable. The flight deck of Truman A typical Carrier Air Wing can include 1214 F/A-18F Super Hornets as strike fighters; two squadrons of 1012 F/A-18C Hornets, with one of these often provided by the U.S. Marine Corps (VMFA), also as strike fighters; 46 EA-6B Prowlers for electronic warfare; 46 E-2C Hawkeyes used for airborne early warning; C-2 Greyhounds used for logistics and a Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron of 68 SH-60F & HH-60H Seahawks. Aircraft that have previously operated from Nimitz-class carriers include F-14 Tomcats, S-3 Vikings, A-7 Corsair II and A-6E Intruder aircraft.[29]

Flight deck and aircraft facilitiesThe ships have four elevators to transfer aircraft between the hangars and the flight deck.[7] They have a nine-degree angled flight deck, which allows for aircraft to be launched and recovered simultaneously. This angle of the flight deck was reduced slightly in relation to previous carriers, as the current design improves the air flow around the carrier.[8] Four steam catapults are used to launch fixed-wing aircraft, and four arrestor wires are used for recovery. The two newest carriers, Reagan and Bush, only have three arrestor wires each, as the fourth was used infrequently on earlier ships and was therefore deemed unnecessary. This CATOBAR arrangement allows for faster launching and recovery, as well as a much wider range of aircraft that can be used on board compared with smaller aircraft carriers, most of which use a simpler STOVL arrangement without catapults or arrestor wires. The island on the flight deck is the location from which the ship's aircraft operations are controlled by the "Air boss", as well as being the position of the bridge.[6] Four large elevators can transport aircraft from the flight deck to the hangars below. These hangars are divided into three bays by thick steel doors that are designed to restrict the spread of fire.[7]

Strike GroupsWhen an aircraft carrier deploys, it takes a Strike Group, made up of several other warships and supply vessels which allow the operation to be carried out. The armament of the Nimitz class is made up only of short range, defensive weapons, used as a last line of defense against enemy missiles and aircraft. The other vessels in the Strike Group provide additional capabilities, such as long range Tomahawk missiles or the Aegis Combat System, and also protect the carrier from attack. A typical Strike Group may include, in addition to an aircraft carrier: up to around six surface combatants, including frigates, guided missile cruisers and guided missile destroyers (used primarily for anti-aircraft warfare and anti-submarine warfare); one or two attack submarines (for seeking out and destroying hostile surface ships and submarines); and an ammunition, oiler, and supply ship of Military Sealift Command to

''Nimitz'' class aircraft carrier provide logistical support.[30] The precise structure, and numbers of each type of ship, can vary between groups, however, depending on the objectives of the deployment.[31]

6

Design differences within the classWhile the designs of the final seven ships (from Theodore Roosevelt) are slightly different to those of the earlier ships, the US Navy nevertheless regards all vessels as a single class.[32] As the older carriers come in for Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH), they are upgraded to the standards of the latest ships, as well as having their nuclear power plants refuelled. This is the most substantial overhaul the ships receive, although other, smaller refits also update the ships' equipment.[20] [33] The ships were initially categorised only as attack carriers, but have been constructed with anti-submarine capabilities George Washington carrier strike group in the since Carl Vinson. These improvements include better radar systems, Caribbean Sea in April 2006 and facilities which enable the ships to operate aircraft in a more effective anti-submarine role, including the fitting of common undersea picture (CUP) technology which uses sonar to allow for better assessment of the threat from submarines.[10] Theodore Roosevelt and those completed after her have slight structural differences from the earlier carriers, and improved protection for ordnance storage in their magazines. Other improvements to the ships since that time include upgraded flight deck ballistic protection, first implemented on George Washington, and the high-strength low-alloy steel (HSLA-100) used for constructing ships since John C. Stennis.[6] [34] More recently, older ships have had their flight decks refitted with a non-slip material fitted on new-build ships, to improve safety for both crew and aircraft.[35] [36] The final ship George H.W. Bush was designed as a "transition ship" to the Nimitz class replacement, the Gerald R. Ford class. Bush incorporates new technologies including improved propeller and bulbous bow designs, a reduced radar signature and electronic and environmental upgrades.[37] [38] As a result, the ship's cost was US$6.2billion, higher than that of the earlier Nimitz-class ships which each cost around US$4.5 billion.[39] To lower costs, some new technologies and design features were also incorporated into the Ronald Reagan, the previous carrier, including a redesigned island.[40]

Service historyShipsThe United States Navy lists the following ships in the Nimitz class:[32]Ship Hull Number CVN-68 Laid down Launched Commissioned RCOH Homeport (2010) References

Nimitz

22 June 1968

13 May 1972

3 May 1975

19982001 Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California 20012005 Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia 20052009 Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California 2009 Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia Naval Station Everett, Everett, Washington

[19] [41]

Dwight D. Eisenhower Carl Vinson

CVN-69

15 August 1970 11 October 1975 31 October 1981 3 November 1984

11 October 1975 15 March 1980 27 October 1984 13 February 1988

18 October 1977

[42] [43]

CVN-70

13 March 1982

[44] [45]

Theodore Roosevelt

CVN-71

25 October 1986

[1] [46]

Abraham Lincoln CVN-72

11 November 1989

[47] [48]

''Nimitz'' class aircraft carrier[1] [49]

725 August 1986 13 March 1991 29 November 1993 12 February 1998 6 September 2003 21 July 1990 4 July 1992 Yokosuka Naval Base, Yokosuka, Japan Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton, Washington Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia

George Washington John C. Stennis

CVN-73

CVN-74

11 November 1993 7 September 1996 4 March 2001

9 December 1995 25 July 1998

[1] [50]

Harry S. Truman CVN-75

[1] [51]

Ronald Reagan

CVN-76

12 July 2003

[1] [52]

George H.W. Bush

CVN-77

9 October 2006

10 January 2009

[53]

19751989One of the first major operations in which the ships were involved was Operation Eagle Claw launched by Nimitz in 1980 after she had deployed to the Indian Ocean in response to the taking of hostages in the US embassy in Tehran.[12] Although initially part of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet,[54] Eisenhower relieved Nimitz in this operation after her service in the Mediterranean Sea.[41] Nimitz conducted a Freedom of Navigation exercise alongside the aircraft carrier Forrestal in August 1981 in the Gulf of Sidra, near Libya. During this exercise, two of the ship's F-14 Tomcats shot down two Libyan aircraft in what became known as the Gulf of Sidra incident.[55] In 1987, Vinson participated in the first US carrier deployment in the Bering Sea,[56] and Nimitz provided security during the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.[57]

19902000The two most significant deployments the Nimitz class was involved in during the 1990s were the Gulf War and its aftermath, and Operation Southern Watch in southern Iraq. All active vessels were engaged in both of these to some extent, with Operation Southern Watch continuing until 2003.[58] However, most carriers in operation in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm played supporting roles, with only Roosevelt playing an active part in combat operations. Throughout the 1990s and more recently, Nimitz-class carriers have RH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters in Nimitz in 1980 been deployed as part of humanitarian missions. While deployed in the Gulf War, Lincoln was diverted to the Indian Ocean to participate alongside 22 other ships in Operation Fiery Vigil, evacuating civilians following the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo on Luzon Island in the Philippines. In October 1993, Lincoln deployed to Somalia to assist UN humanitarian operations there, spending four weeks flying patrols over the area around Mogadishu while supporting US troops during Operation Restore Hope. The same ship also participated in Operation Vigilant Sentinel in the Persian Gulf in 1995.[48] Roosevelt flew patrols in support of the Kurds over northern Iraq as part of Operation Provide Comfort in 1991. In 1996, George Washington played a peacekeeping role in Operation Decisive Endeavor in Bosnia and Herzegovina.[59] In 1999, Roosevelt was called to the Ionian Sea to support Operation Allied Force alongside other NATO militaries.[60]


8

2001presentTruman's maiden deployment was in November 2000. The carrier's air wing flew 869 combat sorties in support of Operation Southern Watch, including a strike on Iraqi air defense sites on 16 February 2001, in response to Iraqi surface-to-air missile fire against United Nations coalition forces.[61] After the 11 September attacks, Vinson and Roosevelt were among the first warships to participate in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Vinson sailed towards the Persian Gulf intending to support Operation Southern Watch in July 2001. This changed in response to the attacks, and the ship changed course to travel towards the North Arabian Sea, where she launched the first airstrikes in support of the operation on 7 October 2001.[62] Following the attacks, Stennis and Washington participated in Operation Noble Eagle, carrying Lincoln in drydock during 1990 out homeland security operations off the West Coast of the United States. All active ships have been involved to some extent in Iraq and Afghanistan since that time. This included the invasion in 2003, as well as providing subsequent support for Operation Iraqi Freedom since then.[63] The carriers have also provided aid after natural disasters; in 2005, Lincoln supported Operation Unified Assistance in Indonesia after the December 2004 tsunami,[64] and Truman provided aid after Hurricane Katrina later in 2005.[65] The Reagan Carrier Strike Group performed humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in the Philippines in June 2008 after Typhoon Fengshen, which killed hundreds from the central island regions and the main island of Luzon.[66] In January 2010 Vinson operated off Haiti, providing aid and drinking water to earthquake survivors as part of the US led Operation Unified Response, alongside other major warships and hospital ship Comfort.[67]

Refueling Complex OverhaulIn order to refuel their nuclear power plants, the carriers each undergo a Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) once in their service lives. This is also the most substantial overhaul the ships undergo while in service, and involves bringing the vessels' equipment up to the standards of the newest ships. The ship is placed in dry dock and essential maintenance is carried out including painting of the hull below the waterline, and replacement of electrical and mechanical components such as valves. Due to the large time periods between the ships' constructions, the armament and designs of the newer ships are more modern than those of the older ships. In RCOH, the older ships are refitted to the standards of the newer ships, which can include major upgrades to the flight deck, aircraft catapults and combat systems as well as other upgrades such as improved radar systems, although precise details can vary significantly between the ships. The improvements normally take around four years to complete. The RCOH for Theodore Roosevelt, which began in 2009, will reportedly cost US$ 2.4billion.[68] [69] [70] Planned Incremental Availability is a similar procedure, although it is less substantial and does not involve refuelling of the nuclear power plants.[71]


9

Symbolic and diplomatic rolesDue to their status as the largest warships in the US Navy, the deployment of an aircraft carrier can fulfil a symbolic role, not just in terms of a deterrent to an enemy, but often as a diplomatic tool, in strengthening relations with allies and potential allies. The latter of these functions can take place either as a single visit to a country, in which senior naval officers are allowed to observe the operating of the carrier and to interact with its senior officers,[72] or as part of an international task force. This can be in combat operations, such as Operation Senior officers of the Reagan strike Allied Force in 1999,[73] or other deployments involving training, such as group in Busan, Korea. RIMPAC. As well as this, carriers have participated in international Maritime Security Operations, combating piracy in the Persian Gulf and off the coast of Somalia.[74] [75]

Accidents and incidentsAs on most large warships, there have been several incidents involving the death or injury of one or more crew members, although most have involved freak accidents or failures, such as a man overboard as a result of poor weather. One of the highest-profile incidents was on 26 May 1981, when an EA-6B Prowler crashed on the flight deck of Nimitz, killing 14 crewmen and injuring 45 others.[12] [76] Forensic testing of the personnel involved showed that several tested positive for marijuana. While this was not in itself found to have directly caused the crash, the findings of the investigation provoked the introduction of mandatory drug testing of all service personnel.[77] [78] In cases of ditched aircraft, pilots have been able to eject safely in several cases. However, fatal aircraft crashes have occurred; in 1994, Lt. Kara Hultgreen, the first female F-14 Tomcat pilot, was killed while attempting to land on board Lincoln during a training exercise.[48] Fires have also caused damage to the ships; in May 2008, while being transferred to her current homeport at Yokosuka Naval Base in Yokosuka, Japan, George Washington suffered a serious fire which cost US$70million in repairs and injured 37 sailors. The fire was caused by unauthorised smoking in an area near improperly stored flammable refrigerant.[79] [80] [81] An incident occurred during a deployment near Libya in August 1981, when Nimitz was involved in the shooting down of two Libyan aircraft by two US F-14 Tomcats in what became known as the Gulf of Sidra incident.[41]

FutureThe ships were designed to have a fifty-year service life.[82] Each will continue operating at full capacity until that time when they will be decommissioned. This process will first take place on Nimitz and is estimated to cost from US$750 to $900million. This compares with an estimate of US$53million for a conventionally powered carrier. Most of the difference in costs is due to the deactivation of the nuclear power plants and safe removal of radioactive material and other contaminated equipment.[83] A new class of carriers, the Gerald R. Ford class, is being constructed to replace previous vessels after decommissioning. Artist's impression of the Gerald R. Ford class Ten of these are expected, and the first will enter service in 2015 to replace Enterprise. The rest of these new carriers will gradually replace the oldest Nimitz vessels as they reach the end of their service life.[84] The new carriers will have a similar design to Bush (using an almost identical hull shape), but will also have further technological and structural improvements.[85]


10

See also List of aircraft carriers List of naval ship classes in service Naval aviation

Notes[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] Polmar, p. 112 Fontenoy, Paul E. (2006). Aircraft carriers: an illustrated history of their impact. ABC-CLIO Ltd. p.349. ISBN978-1851095735. Gibbons, Tony (2001). The Encyclopedia of Ships. London, United Kingdom: Amber Books. p.444. ISBN978-1-905704-43-9. The letters CVN denote the type of ship: "CV" is the hull classification symbol for aircraft carriers, and "N" indicates nuclear-powered propulsion. The number after the CVN means that this is the 68th "CV", or large aircraft carrier. Ronald O'Rourke (2005). "Navy CVN-21 Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress" (http:/ / www. history. navy. mil/ library/ online/ navycvn21. htm). US Department of the Navy. . Retrieved 18 December 2009. Polmar, p. 113 Darwin, Robert; Bowman, Howard; Hunstad, Mary; Leach, William; Williams, Frederick (2005). Aircraft Carrier Flight and Hangar Deck Fire Protection: History and Current Status (http:/ / handle. dtic. mil/ 100. 2/ ADA432176). Defense Technical Information Center. p.10. . Friedman, p. 316 Jim Wilson "21st Century Carrier Force" Popular Mechanics October 1998, pp. 5866

[10] Sandra I. Erwin (July 2003). "7th Fleet Experiment Probes Navys Near-Term Concerns" (http:/ / www. nationaldefensemagazine. org/ ARCHIVE/ 2003/ JULY/ Pages/ 7th_Fleet3817. aspx). National Defense Industrial Association. . Retrieved 31 December 2009. [11] Patricia Kime (September 2003). "Navy Should Bolster Crisis Planning for Theater ASW" (http:/ / www. navyleague. org/ sea_power/ sep_03_12. php). Navy League of the United States. . Retrieved 31 December 2009. [12] "Cold War Ship Nimitz class" (http:/ / www. nationalcoldwarexhibition. org/ explore/ ship. cfm?ship=Nimitz Class). Royal Air Force Museum London. 2008. . Retrieved 21 December 2009. [13] All monetary values are adjusted for inflation to 2000s figures [14] "CVN 78 Construction & Facilities" (http:/ / www. sb. northropgrumman. com/ products/ geraldrfordclass/ construction/ index. html). Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. . Retrieved 30 May 2010. [15] "Construction of George H. W. Bush (CVN 77)". US Navy. 8 March 2005. [16] "George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Christening" (http:/ / www. sb. northropgrumman. com/ bush/ docs/ Facts_about_CVN_77. pdf). Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. 7 October 2006. . Retrieved 30 May 2010. [17] "Our Heritage: Litton Industries" (http:/ / www. northropgrumman. com/ heritage/ index. html). Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. . Retrieved 30 May 2010. [18] Wolfson, Dianna. " A Solution to the Inherent List on Nimitz Class Aircraft Carriers (http:/ / handle. dtic. mil/ 100. 2/ ADA425773)" Defense Technical Information Center 2004 [19] "USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Multi-Purpose Aircraft Carrier" (http:/ / www. nvr. navy. mil/ nvrships/ details/ CVN68. htm). Naval Vessel Register. 2004. . Retrieved 18 December 2009. [20] "Aircraft Carriers CVN" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ navydata/ fact_display. asp?cid=4200& tid=200& ct=4). US Navy. 6 November 2009. . Retrieved 19 December 2009. [21] "Information About Us" (http:/ / www. public. navy. mil/ usff/ nctamspac/ Pages/ AboutUs. aspx). US Navy. 14 October 2009. . Retrieved 24 May 2010. [22] Yardley, Roland; Schank, John; Kallimani, James (2007). A Methodology for Estimating the Effect of Aircraft Carrier Operational Cycles on the Maintenance Industrial Base: Technical Report. RAND Corporation. p.30. ISBN978-0833041821. [23] Wertheim, p. 884 [24] Wertheim, p. 885 [25] Polmar, p. 108 [26] "Nimitz docks off Chennai to 'build new relations with India'" (http:/ / www. indianexpress. com/ news/ nimitz-docks-off-chennai-to-build-new-relat/ 203639/ ). The Indian Express. 3 July 2007. . Retrieved 11 January 2010. [27] "NAM and Nimitz" (http:/ / www. hinduonnet. com/ fline/ fl2414/ stories/ 20070727000806200. htm). Frontline. 1427 July 2007. . Retrieved 11 January 2010. [28] Although there are ten carrier air wings in the US Navy, they are numbered between CVW-1 (USS Enterprise) and CVW-17 (USS Carl Vinson) [29] Lambeth, p. 89Lambeth, Benjamin (2005). American Carrier Air Power At The Dawn Of A New Century. RAND Corporation. p.89. ISBN0-8330-3842-7. [30] Stevens, p. 24 [31] Polmar, p. 37

''Nimitz'' class aircraft carrier[32] "Aircraft Carriers CV, CVN" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ navydata/ fact_display. asp?cid=4200& tid=200& ct=4). Fact File. US Navy. 12 October 2007. . Retrieved 10 January 2009. [33] "Refueling and Complex Overhaul" (http:/ / www. sb. northropgrumman. com/ products/ acfleetservices/ ). Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. . Retrieved 19 April 2008. [34] "Costing the CVN-21: A DID Primer" (http:/ / www. defenseindustrydaily. com/ costing-the-cvn21-a-did-primer-01624/ ). Defense Industry Daily. 19 December 2005. . Retrieved 27 December 2009. [35] "USS Nimitz Flight Deck" (http:/ / www. surfacetechnologiescorp. com/ projects/ USS-Nimitz/ ). Surface Technologies Corporation. . Retrieved 2 January 2010. [36] Lt. Katharine Cerezo (20 February 2010). "Truman Flight Deck Receives New Non-Skid" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ search/ display. asp?story_id=51351). US Navy. . Retrieved 13 March 2010. [37] "Press Release" (http:/ / www. irconnect. com/ noc/ press/ pages/ news_releases. html?d=165151). Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. 11 May 2009. . Retrieved 27 March 2010. [38] "Design Enhancements" (http:/ / www. sb. northropgrumman. com/ bush/ design_enhancements. html). Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. . Retrieved 28 May 2010. [39] "Aircraft Carrier Named the USS George H.W. Bush Commissioned" (http:/ / www. foxnews. com/ story/ 0,2933,479087,00. html). Fox News Channel. 10 January 2009. . Retrieved 14 January 2010. [40] "Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Christening: Advanced Media Kit" (http:/ / www. sb. northropgrumman. com/ Reagan/ About_the_Christening/ Media Link/ reagan_press_kit. pdf). Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. . Retrieved 27 December 2009. [41] "USS Nimitz (CVA(N)-68)" (http:/ / www. history. navy. mil/ DANFS/ n5/ nimitz. htm). Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History & Heritage Command. 8 May 2009. . Retrieved 23 March 2010. [42] "USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)" (http:/ / www. nvr. navy. mil/ nvrships/ details/ CVN69. htm). Naval Vessel Register. 2004. . Retrieved 18 December 2009. [43] Evans, Mark L. (27 September 2006). "USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)" (http:/ / www. history. navy. mil/ danfs/ d6/ cvn69. htm). Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History & Heritage Command. . Retrieved 23 March 2010. [44] "USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)" (http:/ / www. nvr. navy. mil/ nvrships/ details/ CVN70. htm). Naval Vessel Register. 2004. . Retrieved 18 December 2009. [45] Evans, Mark L. (11 July 2007). "USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)" (http:/ / www. history. navy. mil/ DANFS/ c3/ carl_vinson. htm). Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History & Heritage Command. . Retrieved 23 March 2010. [46] "USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)" (http:/ / www. nvr. navy. mil/ nvrships/ details/ CVN71. htm). Naval Vessel Register. 2004. . Retrieved 18 December 2009. [47] "USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)" (http:/ / www. nvr. navy. mil/ nvrships/ details/ CVN72. htm). Naval Vessel Register. 2004. . Retrieved 18 December 2009. [48] Evans, Mark L. (13 August 2008). "Abraham Lincoln" (http:/ / www. history. navy. mil/ danfs/ a2/ abraham_lincoln. htm). Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History & Heritage Command. . Retrieved 23 March 2010. [49] "USS George Washington (CVN-73)" (http:/ / www. nvr. navy. mil/ nvrships/ details/ CVN73. htm). Naval Vessel Register. 2004. . Retrieved 18 December 2009. [50] "USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)" (http:/ / www. nvr. navy. mil/ nvrships/ details/ CVN74. htm). Naval Vessel Register. 2004. . Retrieved 18 December 2009. [51] "USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)" (http:/ / www. nvr. navy. mil/ nvrships/ details/ CVN75. htm). Naval Vessel Register. 2004. . Retrieved 18 December 2009. [52] "USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)" (http:/ / www. nvr. navy. mil/ nvrships/ details/ CVN76. htm). Naval Vessel Register. 2004. . Retrieved 18 December 2009. [53] "USS George H.W. Bush CVN-77" (http:/ / www. nvr. navy. mil/ nvrships/ details/ CVN77. htm). Naval Vessel Register. 2004. . Retrieved 18 December 2009. [54] "USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Multi-purpose aircraft carrier" (http:/ / www. nvr. navy. mil/ nvrships/ details/ CVN69. htm). Naval Vessel Register. 2001. . Retrieved 18 December 2009. [55] Love, Robert William (1992). History of the U.S.Navy: 19421991 v. 2. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. p.755. ISBN978-0811718639. [56] " 1987 Command History (http:/ / www. history. navy. mil/ shiphist/ c/ cvn-70/ 1987. pdf)" US Navy report. 6 December 1988. [57] Offley, Ed (2001). Pen and Sword: A Journalist's Guide to Covering the Military. Portland, Oregon: Marion Street Press. p.224. ISBN978-0966517644. [58] Lambeth, p. 6 [59] Richelson, Jeffrey (1999). The U.S. Intelligence Community. Boulder, Colorado: Perseus Books Group. p.196. ISBN978-0813368931. [60] Kosovo: Operation "Allied Force" (http:/ / www. parliament. uk/ commons/ lib/ research/ rp99/ rp99-048. pdf). Parliament of the United Kingdom. 29 April 1999. p.16. . [61] "USS Harry S. Truman" (http:/ / www. public. navy. mil/ airfor/ cvn75/ Pages/ History. aspx). US Navy. . Retrieved 28 May 2010. [62] "USS Carl Vinson" (http:/ / www. cnn. com/ SPECIALS/ 2001/ trade. center/ deployment. map/ vinson. html). CNN. . Retrieved 2 April 2010.

11

''Nimitz'' class aircraft carrier[63] "Appendix A: Navy-Marine Corps: Crisis Response and Combat Actions" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ navydata/ policy/ vision/ vis04/ vpp04-appxa. pdf). US Navy. . Retrieved 31 May 2010. [64] "DoD Briefing on Operation Unified Assistance, the Post-Tsunami Relief Effort" (http:/ / www. defense. gov/ transcripts/ transcript. aspx?transcriptid=1653). US Department of Defense. 14 January 2005. . Retrieved 30 May 2010. [65] Burke, Heather (1 September 2005). "New Orleans Gets More Troops to Stop Katrina Looting" (http:/ / www. bloomberg. com/ apps/ news?pid=10000103& sid=axLmRQqK. K0U& refer=us). Bloomberg L.P.. . [66] "US ship coming to help retrieve victims of sea tragedy" (http:/ / www. gmanews. tv/ story/ 103093/ US-ship-coming-to-help-retrieve-victims-of-sea-tragedy). GMA News. 25 June 2008. . [67] Mike Mount and Larry Shaughnessy (13 January 2010). "First U.S. military aid reaches quake-stricken Haiti" (http:/ / www. cnn. com/ 2010/ US/ 01/ 13/ haiti. us. coast. guard/ index. html). CNN. . Retrieved 9 February 2010. [68] "Contracts: Navy" (http:/ / www. defenselink. mil/ contracts/ contract. aspx?contractid=4103). DefenseLink. 26 August 2009. . Retrieved 26 December 2009. [69] "CVN 70 Carl Vinsons Mid-Life RCOH Refueling & Maintenance" (http:/ / www. defenseindustrydaily. com/ cvn-70-carl-vinsons-midlife-rcoh-refueling-maintenance-01554/ ). Defense Industry Daily. 14 July 2009. . Retrieved 31 December 2009. [70] Schank, John; Arena, Mark; Rushworth, Denis; Birkler, John; Chiesa, James (2003). Refueling and Complex Overhaul of the USS "Nimitz" (CVN 68): Lessons for the Future. Santa Monica, California: RAND Corporation. pp.xiii-xviii. ISBN978-0833032881. [71] "Nimitz Begins Planned Incremental Availability" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ search/ display. asp?story_id=12076). US Navy. 1 March 2004. . Retrieved 30 May 2010. [72] "Reagan Sailors Visit Rio" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ search/ display. asp?story_id=13709). US Navy. June 2004. . Retrieved 9 January 2010. [73] Ripley, Tim (2001). Conflict in the Balkans, 19912000. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing. p.92. ISBN978-1841762906. [74] "Aircraft Carriers CVN" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ navydata/ fact_display. asp?cid=4200& tid=200& ct=4). US Navy. . Retrieved 9 January 2010. [75] "USS Nimitz Launches First Sorties, Support Coalition Troops in Afghanistan" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ search/ display. asp?story_id=48373). US Navy. 21 September 2009. . Retrieved 30 May 2010. [76] Anderson, Kurt; Beaty, Jonathan (8 June 1981). "Night of Flaming Terror" (http:/ / www. time. com/ time/ magazine/ article/ 0,9171,922544-1,00. html). Time. . Retrieved 2 October 2008. [77] Coombs, Robert; West, Louis (1991). Drug Testing: Issues and Options. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. pp.321. ISBN978-0195054149. [78] Abrams, Herbert (January 1987). "Human Instability and Nuclear Weapons". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: p.34. [79] Dale Eisman (30 July 2008). "Two top Navy officers fired over $70 million carrier blaze" (http:/ / hamptonroads. com/ 2008/ 07/ navy-relieves-top-officers-carrier-washington-after-fire). Virginia-Pilot. . Retrieved 19 December 2009. [80] Liewer, Steve (7 October 2008). "Crew Faulted In Blaze On Carrier" (http:/ / www. signonsandiego. com/ uniontrib/ 20081007/ news_1m7carrier. html). San Diego Union-Tribune. . [81] "Casualties: US Navy and Marine Corps Personnel Killed and Injured in Selected Accidents and Other Incidents Not Directly the Result of Enemy Action" (http:/ / www. ibiblio. org/ hyperwar/ NHC/ accidents. htm). Naval Historical Center. . Retrieved 13 March 2010. [82] "Aircraft Carriers CVN 21 Program" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ navydata/ fact_display. asp?cid=4200& tid=250& ct=4). US Navy. 6 November 2009. . Retrieved 19 December 2009. [83] Stevens, p. 10 [84] "CVN-77 Delivery Moved To December, Newport News On Track For January Commissioning" (http:/ / findarticles. com/ p/ articles/ mi_6712/ is_24_239/ ai_n29459545/ ). Defense Daily. 2006. . Retrieved 23 December 2009. [85] "CVN-78 Facts" (http:/ / www. sb. northropgrumman. com/ products/ geraldrfordclass/ facts/ index. html). Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. . Retrieved 30 May 2010.

12

ReferencesBibliography Friedman, Norman (1983). U.S. aircraft carriers: an illustrated design history. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN978-0870217395. Lambeth, Benjamin (2005). American Carrier Air Power At The Dawn Of A New Century. Santa Monica, California: RAND Corporation. ISBN978-0833038425. Polmar, Norman (2004). The Naval Institute guide to the ships and aircraft of the U.S. fleet. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN978-1591146858. Stevens, Ted (1998). Navy Aircraft Carriers: Cost-effectiveness of Conventionally and Nuclear-powered Carriers: Report to Congressional Requesters. Washington, D.C.: Government Accountability Office. ISBN1428976647.

''Nimitz'' class aircraft carrier Wertheim, Eric (2007). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft and Systems. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN978-1591149552.

13

External links US Navy website (http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/active/fleet_02.htm) Discovery channel video (http://military.discovery.com/videos/top-ten-fighting-ships-nimitz-aircraft-carrier. html) Naval Vessel Register page for USS Nimitz (http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/CVN68.htm) Busting the speed myth of USS Enterprise and Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier (http://www. navweaps.com/index_tech/tech-028.htm), a special report by NavWeaps.Com

14

Nimitz subclassUSS Nimitz (CVN-68)

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) at sea near San Diego, CA Career (United States) Name: Namesake: Ordered: Builder: Laid down: Launched: Commissioned: In service: Reclassified: Homeport: Motto: Nickname: Status: USS Nimitz Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz 31 March 1967 Newport News Shipbuilding 22 June 1968 13 May 1972 3 May 1975 10 CVN-68 NAS North Island, San Diego, California Teamwork, a Tradition "Old Salt" in active service, as of 2010 General characteristics Class and type: Displacement: Length: Beam: Draft: Nimitz-class aircraft carrier 100000long tons (110000 short tons) Overall: 1092feet (332.8 m) Waterline: 1040feet (317.0 m) Overall: 252 ft (76.8 m) Waterline: 134 ft (40.8 m) Maximum navigational: 37 ft (11.3 m) Limit: 41 ft (12.5 m)[1]

USS ''Nimitz'' (CVN-68)

15Propulsion: 2 Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors 4 steam turbines 4 shafts 260,000 shp (194 MW) 31.5knots (58.3 km/h)[2]

Speed: Range: Complement: Sensors and processing systems:

Essentially unlimited distance; 20 years Ship's company: 3,200 Air wing: 2,480 AN/SPS-48E 3-D air search radar AN/SPS-49(V)5 2-D air search radar AN/SPQ-9B target acquisition radar AN/SPN-46 air traffic control radars AN/SPN-43C air traffic control radar AN/SPN-41 landing aid radars 4 Mk 91 NSSM guidance systems 4 Mk 95 radars SLQ-32A(V)4 Countermeasures suite SLQ-25A Nixie torpedo countermeasures 2 21 cell Sea RAM 2 Mk 29 Sea Sparrow Classified 90 fixed wing and helicopters

Electronic warfare and decoys: Armament: Armor: Aircraft carried: Badge:

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is a supercarrier in the United States Navy, the lead ship of her class. She is one of the largest warships in the world. She was laid down, launched and commissioned as CVAN-68, but was redesignated CVN-68 (nuclear-powered multimission aircraft carrier) on 30 June 1975 as part of the fleet realignment of that year. The ship was named for World War II Pacific fleet commander Chester W. Nimitz, who was the Navys last fleet admiral. Unlike all subsequent Nimitz class carriers, Nimitz only uses her namesake's surname. She is also the only carrier of her class and the most recent supercarrier not to be named for someone who held elective office in the United States.

Monitor showing data about USS Nimitz.

Nimitz was homeported at Naval Station Norfolk until 1987, when she was relocated to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. After her second nuclear reactor refueling in 2001, Nimitz was relocated to NAS North

USS ''Nimitz'' (CVN-68) Island, in San Diego, California.

16

ConstructionThe keel of Nimitz was laid down 22 June 1968 by Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. She was christened in 1972 by Catherine Nimitz Lay, daughter of the late Admiral Nimitz. Nimitz was delivered to the Navy in 1975 and she was commissioned at Naval Station Norfolk, Va on 3 May 1975 by President Gerald Ford.

Nimitz Carrier Strike GroupNimitz is part of Carrier Strike Group 11 (CSG-11) with Carrier Air Wing 11 embarked, with Nimitz as the flagship of the battle group and the home of the commander of Destroyer Squadron 23.

Ships of DESRON-23 USSHiggins(DDG 76) USSJohn Paul Jones(DDG 53) USSPinckney(DDG 91) USSSampson(DDG 102)[3]

Squadrons of CVW-11 Strike Fighter Squadron 14 (VFA-14) "Tophatters"[4] Strike Fighter Squadron 41 (VFA-41) "Black Aces" Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86) "Sidewinders" Strike Fighter Squadron 97 (VFA-97) "Warhawks" Electronic Attack Squadron 135 (VAQ-135) "Black Ravens" Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117 (VAW-117) "Wallbangers" Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 6 (HS-6) "Indians" Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 Detachment 4 (VRC-30) "Providers"

Service history1970sUSS Nimitz first deployed to the Mediterranean on 7 July 1976 with Carrier Air Wing 8 embarked in company with the nuclear powered cruisers USS South Carolina and USS California. In November 1976, Nimitz was awarded the Battle "E" from Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet, for being the most efficient and foremost aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Fleet. The cruise was uneventful, and the carrier returned to Norfolk, Virginia on 7 February 1977. A second uneventful Mediterranean cruise was conducted from 1 December 1977 to 20 July 1978. The third deployment began on 10 September 1979 to the Mediterranean. The ship moved to the Indian Ocean in response to the Iran hostage crisis in which the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran was overtaken and 52 hostages were held. After four months on station, Operation Evening Light was launched from Nimitz's decks in an attempt to rescue the U.S. Embassy staff. The mission was aborted after a helicopter crashed at a refueling point in the Iranian desert. The ship finally returned home 26 May 1980, having spent 144 days at sea.


17

1980sOn 26 May 1981, an EA-6B Prowler crashed on the flight deck, killing 14 crewmen and injuring 45 others.[5] Forensic testing conducted found that several members of the deceased flight deck crew tested positive for marijuana. As a result of this incident, President Ronald Reagan instituted a "Zero Tolerance" drug policy across all of the armed services, which started the mandatory drug testing of all U.S. service personnel.[6] Nimitz deployed again to the Mediterranean on 3 August 1981. The ship, in company with USS Forrestal, conducted a Freedom of Navigation exercise in international waters in the Gulf of Sidra near Libya on 18 and 19 August 1981. On the morning of 19 August 1981, two F-14As of VF-41 were engaged by two Libyan Su-22s, resulting in the two Libyan aircraft being shot down in what became known as the Gulf of Sidra incident.F/A-18 Hornet landing on USS Nimitz.

Nimitz's fourth deployment, from 10 November 1982 to 20 May 1983, was to the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas. Nimitz deployed a fifth time on 8 March 1985. On 14 June 1985, two Lebanese gunmen hijacked TWA Flight 847, which carried 153 passengers and crew and included Americans. In response, Nimitz was deployed to the coast of Lebanon, where she remained until August 1985. The embarked Airwing 8 flew continuous sorties for 67 days, bombing several sites in Beirut including the runways of Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport. The ship returned to Norfolk on 4 October 1985. Nimitz, again with CVW-8 embarked, departed Norfolk for her sixth and final Mediterranean deployment on 30 December 1986. After four months and numerous Mediterranean port visits, the carrier crossed the equator en route to Rio de Janeiro. From Rio she proceeded south around Cape Horn and into the Pacific. After a brief stop in San Diego, California to offload her East Coast air wing, she arrived at her new home port of Bremerton, Washington on 2 July 1987. Nimitz deployed to the Western Pacific with Carrier Air Wing 9 embarked on 2 September 1988. During the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Nimitz provided security off the coast of South Korea. In October she operated in the North Arabian Sea participating in Operation Earnest Will, the protection of re-flagged Kuwaiti tankers. On 30 November 1988, while in the Arabian Sea, a 20 mm cannon accidentally fired during maintenance, striking an KA-6 Intruder. The ensuing fire spread to six other aircraft and there were two fatalities. The ship returned to Bremerton on 2 March 1989.

1990sOn 25 February 1991, Nimitz departed Bremerton for the Persian Gulf in relief of USS Ranger in the aftermath of Operation Desert Storm, returning to Bremerton on 24 August 1991. Nimitz again deployed to the Persian Gulf on 1 February 1993, in support of Operation Southern Watch (OSW), returning on 19 August 1993. On 27 November 1995, Nimitz deployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. In March 1996, she patrolled the waters off Taiwan amid missile tests conducted by the Chinese in the area, becoming the first American warship to pass though the Taiwan Strait since 1976. She also cruised the Persian Gulf in support of OSW prior to returning from deployment on 20 May 1996. On 1 September 1997, Nimitz began an around the world cruise, again supporting OSW, that ended in Newport News on 2 March 1998. She would spend the next three years undergoing a mid-life Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) that ended 25 June 2001.


18

2000sOn 21 September 2001, after sea trials in the Virginia Capes, Nimitz began her transit around South America to her new home port of NAS North Island in San Diego, California, arriving there on 13 November 2001. Aircraft from Carrier Air Reserve Wing 20 were embarked for the transit. From January to May 2002, she underwent a four month post-shakedown maintenance availability at North Island. Nimitz's eleventh operational deployment began on 3 March 2003.[7] She relieved USS Abraham Lincoln in the Persian Gulf in mid-April 2003, launching Carrier Air Wing 11 aircraft sorties over Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). She returned to San Diego on 5 November 2003. Nimitz and CVW-11 were awarded the 2003 Battle "E"[8] and Flatley Award[9] in early 2004. Nimitz, again with CVW-11 embarked, deployed to the Persian Gulf on 7 May 2005, returning on 8 November 2005.[10] This deployment marked three decades of service, and was depicted in the Emmy award winning 2008 PBS documentary series Carrier.[11] In June 2006, Nimitz was awarded the 2005 Battle "E".[12] The carrier departed North Island for her thirteenth deployment on 2 April 2007 to the Arabian Sea, relieving USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in support of OIF.[13] She anchored off Chennai, India on 2 July 2007 as part of efforts to expand bilateral defense cooperation between India and the United States.[14] Sailors participated in community work in Chennai prior to departing, on 5 July 2007, along with the destroyer USS Pinckney towards the Persian Gulf. She returned to North Island on 30 September 2007.[15] On 24 January 2008, Nimitz deployed to the Pacific for a "surge"-deployment.[16] On 9 February 2008, two Russian Tu-95 'Bear' bombers overflew the carrier in the Western Pacific.[17] Four F/A-18C Hornets were launched when the bombers were 500miles (800 km) away from the U.S. ships, and intercepted the bombers 50miles (80 km) south of Nimitz. Two F/A-18s trailed one of the bombers, which buzzed the deck of the carrier twice, while the other two F/A-18s trailed another TU-95 circling about 50miles (80 km) away from the carrier. Reportedly, there was no radio communication between the American and Russian aircraft. According to the Department of Defense, one of the two aircraft was said to have flown above Nimitz at an altitude of 2000feet (610 m). On the same day, Russian aircraft entered Japanese airspace, which caused the Japanese to raise protest to the Russian ambassador in Tokyo.[18] Again, on 5 March 2008, a Russian bomber came within 3 to 5 nautical miles (6 to 9 km) and flew 2000feet (610 m) above Nimitz and its battle group. Two F/A-18 fighters intercepted the Russian aircraft and escorted it out of the area.[17] Nimitz was awarded the Navy Battle "E" for battle efficiency for 2007 along with the Ney award for food service excellence. She returned to her homeport of San Diego, California on 3 June 2008. Nimitz Strike Group, including CVW-11, departed the States for a scheduled Western Pacific deployment on 31 July 2009,[19] and began to fly combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 21 September.[20] In January 2010, while in the Persian Gulf, the ship was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for its back-to-back deployments in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008. The award was presented by Admiral Gary Roughead in a ceremony on the ship on 6 January 2010.[21] Nimitz visited Hong Kong for five days in February to allow its crew to rest and visit the city. The visit occurred despite China previously disallowing carrier USS Kitty Hawk.[22] [23]


19

See also Carrier Strike Group Eleven List of aircraft carriers List of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy

References[1] Polmar, Norman (2004). The Naval Institute guide to the ships and aircraft of the U.S. fleet (http:/ / books. google. co. uk/ books?id=8MwyTX-iA2wC& pg=PA112& dq=nimitz+ class+ displacement& hl=en& ei=7DD0S-W8BYSdlgeRrNDuDA& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result& resnum=2& ved=0CC4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage& q=nimitz class displacement& f=false). Naval Institute Press. p.112. ISBN978-1591146858. . [2] Speed Thrills III - Max speed of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers (http:/ / www. navweaps. com/ index_tech/ tech-028. htm) [3] http:/ / www. cds23. navy. mil/ [4] http:/ / www. csfwp. navy. mil/ cvw-11/ squadrons. htm [5] Anderson, Kurt; Beaty, Jonathan (8 June 1981). "Night of Flaming Terror" (http:/ / www. time. com/ time/ magazine/ article/ 0,9171,922544-1,00. html). TIME in partnership with CNN (Time). . Retrieved 2 October 2008. [6] Ackerman, D. L. (1991). A history of drug testing. In R. H. Coombs & L. J. West (Eds.), Drug testing: Issues and options (pp. 3-21). Oxford: Oxford University Press, [7] Seaman, Journalist. "Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Joins Others Deployed to 5th Fleet" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ search/ display. asp?story_id=6720). Navy.mil. . Retrieved 2010-05-30. [8] "Nimitz Earns Coveted Battle "E"" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ search/ display. asp?story_id=12854). Navy.mil. . Retrieved 2010-05-30. [9] "Nimitz, CVW-11 Win 2003 Flatley Award" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ search/ display. asp?story_id=13586). Navy.mil. . Retrieved 2010-05-30. [10] From Commander, U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs. "USS Nimitz Strike Group Deploys" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ search/ display. asp?story_id=18250). Navy.mil. . Retrieved 2010-05-30. [11] "Nimitz Highlighted in PBS TV Series and Premiere" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ search/ display. asp?story_id=36564). U.S. Navy. 23 April 2008. . [12] "Nimitz Named Best in Pacific Fleet" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ search/ display. asp?story_id=24071). Navy.mil. . Retrieved 2010-05-30. [13] From Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs. "Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Arrives in 5th Fleet" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ search/ display. asp?story_id=29519). Navy.mil. . Retrieved 2010-05-30. [14] "USS Nimitz not known to be carrying nuke warheads" (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ USS_Nimitz_not_carrying_nuke_warheads/ articleshow/ 2151475. cms). The Times of India. 26 June 2007. . [15] Communication, Mass. "Nimitz Returns to San Diego Following Successful Deployment" (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ search/ display. asp?story_id=32232). Navy.mil. . Retrieved 2010-05-30. [16] Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Set to Deploy (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ search/ display. asp?story_id=34414) [17] Reuters (5 March 2008). "Russian bomber intercepted near U.S. ship" (http:/ / www. msnbc. msn. com/ id/ 23490503/ ). MSNBC. . Retrieved 6 March 2008. [18] "Russian bombers fly over US aircraft carrier" (http:/ / www. spiegel. de/ politik/ ausland/ 0,1518,534621,00. html). 12 February 2008. . Retrieved 6 March 2008. [19] Nimitz Strike Group Set To Deploy (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ search/ display. asp?story_id=47232) [20] USS Nimitz Launches First Sorties, Support Coalition Troops in Afghanistan (http:/ / www. navy. mil/ search/ display. asp?story_id=48373) [21] Liewer, Steve, "Meritorious Unit Honor Presented To Nimitz Crew", San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 January 2010. [22] " China decries Barack Obama's plan to meet Dalai Lama (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ asia-pacific/ 8511912. stm)" 12 February 2010. BBC News. Retrieved 2 March 2010. [23] Chin hm Hoa K gh Hong Kong cng lc c t Lai Lt Ma ti Hoa K (http:/ / www. nguoi-viet. com/ absolutenm/ anmviewer. asp?a=108496& z=5) (Vietnamese)


20

Sources This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here (http://www.history.navy.mil/DANFS/n5/nimitz.htm).

External linksOfficial USS Nimitz (http://www.nimitz.navy.mil) - Official website USS Nimitz Association (http://ussnimitzassociation.org/) Images USS Nimitz information and images (http://www.relevantsearchscotland.co.uk/ships/ships/069nimitz.html) Maritimequest USS Nimitz CVN-68 Photo Gallery (http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/ us_navy_pages/aircraft_carriers/nimitz_cvn_68/uss_nimitz_cvn_68_page_1.htm)

USS ''Dwight D. Eisenhower'' (CVN-69)

21

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower with the USSGeorge Washington in the Indian Ocean Career (United States) Name: Namesake: Builder: Cost: Laid down: Launched: Sponsored by: Commissioned: Homeport: Motto: Nickname: Status: Badge: USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight D. Eisenhower Newport News Shipbuilding $679million 15 August 1970 11 October 1975 Mamie Doud-Eisenhower 18 October 1977 NS Norfolk, Virginia I Like Ike Ike in active service, as of 2010[1]

General characteristics Class and type: Displacement: Length: Beam: Draught: Draft: Nimitz-class aircraft carrier 101600long tons (113800 short tons)[2]

Overall: 1092feet (332.8 m) Waterline: 1040feet (317.0 m) Overall Length: 1115feet (340 m) Overall: 252 ft (76.8 m) Waterline: 134 ft (40.8 m) Maximum navigational: 37 ft (11.3 m) Limit: 41 ft (12.5 m) 37.7 feet (11.3 meters)


222 Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors 4 steam turbines 4 shafts 260,000 shp (194 MW) 30+ knots (56+km/h; 35+mph) Essentially unlimited distance; 20 years Ship's company: 3,200 Air wing: 2,480 AN/SPS-48E 3-D air search radar AN/SPS-49(V)5 2-D air search radar AN/SPQ-9B target acquisition radar AN/SPN-46 air traffic control radars AN/SPN-43C air traffic control radar AN/SPN-41 landing aid radars 4 Mk 91 NSSM guidance systems 4 Mk 95 radars SLQ-32A(V)4 Countermeasures suite SLQ-25A Nixie torpedo countermeasures 2 Sea Sparrow & 2 RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile Classified 90 fixed wing and helicopters

Propulsion:


Electronic warfare and decoys: Armament: Armor: Aircraft carried:

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) ("Ike") is an aircraft carrier currently in service with the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1977, the ship is the second of the ten Nimitz-class supercarriers currently in service, and is the first ship named after the thirty-fourth President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower. The vessel was initially named Eisenhower, much like the lead ship of the class Nimitz, but the name was changed to its present form on 25 May 1970. The carrier, like all others of her class, was constructed at Newport News Shipbuilding Company in Virginia, with the same design as the lead ship, although the ship has been overhauled twice to bring her up to the standards of those constructed more recently. Since commissioning, Eisenhower has participated in deployments including Operation Eagle Claw during the Iran hostage crisis in 1980, as well as the Gulf war in the 1990s, and more recently in support of US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Design and constructionOn 29 June 1970, Newport News Shipbuilding of Newport News, Virginia was awarded the contract for construction. On 30 June 1975, her designation was changed from CVAN-69 to CVN-69. She was laid down as hull number 599 on 15 August 1970 at Newport News shipyard at a cost of $679million ($4.5billion in 2007 dollars), launched 11 October 1975 after christening by Mamie Doud-Eisenhower, and commissioned 18 October 1977, Captain William E. Ramsey in command.[1] Since her commissioning, Eisenhower has had 13 Commanding Officers. On commissioning, she replaced the aging World War II-era carrier USSFranklin D. Roosevelt in the fleet.


23

Service historyEarly deploymentsEisenhower was initially assigned to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and after receiving over a year of training, in Spring of 1978 the ship was visited by President Jimmy Carter who hit a golf ball off the flight deck into the Atlantic Ocean. In January 1979 she sailed for her first deployment to the Mediterranean Sea . During this deployment, while off the coast of Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin visited Eisenhower. The carrier returned to Norfolk Naval Station in July of the same year. Under the command of her second Commanding Officer, Captain James H. Mauldin, her second deployment occurred in 1980, when she was dispatched by President Carter to the Indian Ocean, in response to the Iran hostage crisis. She relieved the USS Nimitz 3 days after the Iranian hostage rescue attempt. As a result of the tensions in the area, Eisenhower stayed on station off the coast of Iran for over 8 months, and was at sea for a total of 254 days. During that period, Sailors and Marines enjoyed 2 beers (1 time) after 45 days without a port call. As a result of being at sea for 154 days, they subsequently enjoyed this on two more occasions. At one point, she spent 152 days (or 512 months) at sea without a port call, a new record. She was relieved by the USS Independence. She returned home to Norfolk on 22 December 1980, just in time for her airwing and crew to celebrate Christmas with their families. For over 20 years, she held the record for the longest peacetime deployment for an aircraft carrier in history. Prior to this, her sister ship, the USS Nimitz, was the previous record holder. Eisenhower's record was broken by another of her "sister ships," the USS Theodore Roosevelt. On her third deployment in 1982, she returned to the Mediterranean Sea, and spent a number of days at sea once again. Her new Commanding Officer was Captain E.W. Clexton, who was formerly her Executive Officer several years earlier under Captain W.E. Ramsey.

Overhaul and subsequent deploymentsAfter her fourth deployment Eisenhower went into Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock in October 1985 for a major overhaul. The 18-month yard period included the addition of the Close-in Weapons System, NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System, Naval Tactical Data System, anti-submarine warfare module, communications upgrades and rehabilitation of 1,831 berths in 25 compartments. She re-entered the fleet in April 1987. On 29 February 1988, the ship started her fifth deployment to the Mediterranean. While returning to Norfolk, on 29 August 1988, she collided with an anchored Spanish coal ship while entering the harbor to dock at Norfolk Naval Station when wind and currents pushed the carrier off course, although damage was minor to both ships. Eisenhower entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Portsmouth, VA) in September 1988, she returned to the fleet in April 1989.

1990sIn 1990, Eisenhower completed her sixth Mediterranean deployment. The deployment became a commemorative event in the worldwide 'Dwight D. Eisenhower Centennial,' celebrating the 100th anniversary of the late president's birth. During D-Day anniversary ceremonies off the coast of Normandy, President Eisenhower's son John Eisenhower and D-Day veterans embarked in the ship, while Carrier Air Wing Seven conducted a memorial flyover of the American cemetery at Omaha Beach.

USS ''Dwight D. Eisenhower'' (CVN-69) Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm In response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, Eisenhower became the first carrier to conduct sustained operations in the Red Sea, and only the second nuclear-powered aircraft carrier ever to transit the Suez Canal. Ike served as a ready striking force in the event Iraq invaded Saudi Arabia, and participated in maritime interception operations in support of a United Nations embargo against Iraq. After completion of an extensive shipyard period and work ups, the carrier deployed 26 September 1991 to the Persian Gulf to continue multi-national operations with coalition forces in support of Operation Desert Storm. Ike returned to Norfolk 2 April 1992, and on 12 January 1993, entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for overhaul and conversion, returning to the fleet 12 November 1993. Post-Gulf War In September 1994, Eisenhower and elements of the U.S. 10th Mountain Division first tested the concept of adaptive force packaging. The division's soldiers and equipment were loaded on board, and the ship's Army/Navy team headed for Port-au-Prince to lead Operation Uphold Democracy, the U.S.-led effort to restore the elected government of Haiti. One month later, in October 1994, Eisenhower departed for a six-month deployment which included flying missions in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Deny Flight. This deployment marked the first time that women had deployed as crew members USS Dwight D. Eisenhower departs for a six-month deployment to of a U.S. Navy combatant. Eisenhower, Carrier Air the Mediterranean. Wing Three, and the Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group Eight staff team included more than 400 women. The integration of women caused some negative headlines for the Navy. During the deployment, 15 women serving aboard had to be reassigned ashore due to pregnancy, earning the ship the nickname The Love Boat.[3] There was also a case of a sailor who filmed himself having sex with a female.[3] Eisenhower returned to Newport News Shipbuilding on 17 July 1995 for an 18-month complex overhaul which was completed on 27 January 1997. During this refitting, the popular game show Wheel of Fortune taped several weeks' worth of shows upon the boat for its twelfth season.[4] The ship departed on her 10th deployment on 10 June 1998 and returned in December. In February 1999, she returned to the Norfolk Navy Shipyard for a six-month refitting and returned to the fleet in June. Upon completion in June 1999, she returned to full duty in the fleet.

24

2000sDeploying in February 2000 and returning that August on the "Millennium Cruise," for the first time Ike's embarked aircraft dropped ordnance in combat while supporting Operation Southern Watch's No-Fly Zone over Iraq. On 21 May 2001, the ship returned to Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company (NNS&DDC) to begin a 4 year, $2.5billion refueling and complex overhaul. In addition to replacing the cores in the two nuclear reactors, Eisenhower underwent complex renovations and major technological upgrades during this scheduled half-life overhaul. On 25 January 2005, Ike left NNS&DDC under tow, and returned to Norfolk Naval Station, and the fleet. The modernizations are expected to extend the ship's service life well beyond 2025.

USS ''Dwight D. Eisenhower'' (CVN-69) Persian Gulf / Indian Ocean Deployment On 3 October 2006 with Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7), Eisenhower returned to sea as the flagship of Rear Admiral Allen G. Myers, commanding Carrier Strike Group 8. CSG-8 also includes the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG-68), guided-missile destroyers Ramage (DDG-61) and Mason (DDG-87), and the fast-attack submarine Newport News (SSN-750).[5] She visited Naples, Italy and then Limassol, Cyprus for three days in October 2006 before departing to the east. She entered the Persian Gulf in December 2006.[6] On 8 January 2007, a US AC-130 gunship based out of Djibouti was dispatched to target Al-Qaeda operatives located in Somalia. Eisenhower "was deployed in the Indian Ocean to provide air cover for the operation and, if needed, to evacuate downed airmen and other casualties."[7] It joined other US and allied vessels from Bahrain-based Combined Task Force 150[8] The US spokesperson did not say what particular ships comprised the cordon, but the task force includes vessels from Canada, France, Germany, Pakistan, the UK and the US. US ships of Combined Task Force 150 include the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Ramage (DDG-61) and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52).[9] The aim of the patrols is to "... stop SICC leaders or foreign militant supporters escaping" Somalia.[10] In March 2007, following the Iranian seizure of Royal Navy personnel, Eisenhower began battle group exercises off the Iranian coastline. In April 2007, the ship was relieved by the USS Nimitz.[11] 20082009 On 4 October 2008 Eisenhower sailor Robert Lemar Robinson was killed on the ship during training exercises off the coast of North Carolina. The sailor was killed after being struck by an airplane at 8:15 p.m. on the carrier's flight deck.[12] On 21 February 2009, Eisenhower deployed for the Arabian Sea and environs rotating into the forward-deployed forces there. She served as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 8 commanded by Rear Admiral Kurt W. Tidd. Also embarked were Carrier A French Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft conducts touch and go Air Wing 7 and the staff of Commander, Destroyer landings aboard the Eisenhower during a coalition training exercise. Squadron 28. Other ships of Strike Group 8 were USSBainbridge (DDG-96), USSHalyburton (FFG-40), USSScranton (SSN-756), USSVicksburg (CG-69), and USSGettysburg (CG-64). In addition to supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, the strike group conducted maritime security operations including anti-piracy operations. On 16 May, Eisenhower became the first Nimitz-class carrier to dock pierside in Manama, Bahrain. The last carrier to moor pierside in Bahrain was USS Rendova (CVE-114) in 1948. On 30 July 2009, the Eisenhower returned to Naval Station Norfolk after almost a six month deployment.[13]F/A-18E/F Super Hornet parked on the flight deck of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, as the ship operates in the Arabian Sea, December 2006.

25


26

2010sOn 2 January 2010, Eisenhower again deployed to the Middle East, the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations. She again served as the flagship of Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group commanded by Rear Admiral Philip S. Davidson. While in theater, the strike group provided security cooperation, forward naval presence, maritime security, and crisis response. In addition to the "Ike," the strike group was made up of Carrier Air Wing 7; Commander, Destroyer Squadron 28; the guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City; and guided-missile destroyers USS McFaul, USS Carney, and USS Farragut (DDG-99).[14] [15] On 28 July 2010, the "Ike" returned to its homeport in Norfolk.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Six participate in Special Purpose Insertion Extraction (SPIE) training session with the Dwight D. Eisenhower

AwardsEisenhower has earned a number of awards, including the Battle "E" in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1990, 1998, 1999 and 2006 as the most battle efficient carrier in the Atlantic Fleet. In 1999, she won the Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award for the Atlantic Fleet. In addition, she was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation with service star (1980, 1983); the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with three service stars (1990, 1992, 1995, 2001); the Navy Expeditionary Medal (1980), the National Defense Service Medal with service star; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with three service stars (1983, 1994, 1998, 2000); and Southwest Asia Service Medal with two campaign stars. The ship also won the Atlantic Fleet Retention Excellence Award (aka the Golden Anchor Award) in 1999.

See also Nimitz-class aircraft carrier List of aircraft carriers List of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy

Notes[1] USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (http:/ / navysite. de/ cvn/ cvn69. html) navysite.de Retrieved 5 March 2010 [2] Polmar, Norman (2004). The Naval Institute guide to the ships and aircraft of the U.S. fleet (http:/ / books. google. co. uk/ books?id=8MwyTX-iA2wC& pg=PA112& dq=nimitz+ class+ displacement& hl=en& ei=7DD0S-W8BYSdlgeRrNDuDA& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result& resnum=2& ved=0CC4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage& q=nimitz class displacement& f=false). Naval Institute Press. p.112. ISBN978-1591146858. . [3] "Navy moves to put women on submarines" (http:/ / www. msnbc. msn. com/ id/ 33297422/ ns/ us_news-military/ ). St. Marys, Georgia: Associated Press. 13 October 2009. . Retrieved 14 October 2009. [4] http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=5cjGNdSrsws& feature=related [5] Dorsey, Jack (28 September 2006). "Overhauled Eisenhower prepares for deployment after six years off" (http:/ / home. hamptonroads. com/ stories/ story. cfm?story=111767& ran=211308). The Virginian-Pilot. . Retrieved 13 October 2006. [6] Bloomberg News (http:/ / bloomberg. com/ apps/ news?pid=20601103& sid=aB9F0Hlr. fLA) [7] DeYoung, Karen (8 January 2007). "U.S. Strike in Somalia Targets Al-Qaeda Figure" (http:/ / www. washingtonpost. com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2007/ 01/ 08/ AR2007010801822. html). Washington Post. . Retrieved 8 January 2007. [8] "Navy tries to block fleeing jihadists from Somalia" (http:/ / www. airforcetimes. com/ story. php?f=1-292925-2458956. php). Air Force Times, Staff and wire reports. 3 January 2007. . Retrieved 4 January 2007. [9] "Ramage, Bunker Hill keeping an eye on Somalia" (http:/ / www. marinetimes. com/ story. php?f=1-292925-2461109. php). MarineTimes.com. 4 January 2007. . Retrieved 4 January 2007. [10] "Ethiopian troops to stay in Somalia weeks" (http:/ / today. reuters. com/ news/ articlenews. aspx?type=worldNews& storyID=2007-01-02T122054Z_01_L28741526_RTRUKOC_0_US-SOMALIA-CONFLICT. xml& pageNumber=0& imageid=& cap=& sz=13& WTModLoc=NewsArt-C1-ArticlePage4). Reuters. 2 January 2007. .

USS ''Dwight D. Eisenhower'' (CVN-69)[11] "Tensions High in Persian Gulf Over British Captives" (http:/ / abcnews. go. com/ GMA/ story?id=2991157). ABCNews.com. 29 March 2007. . Retrieved 29 March 2007. [12] Washington, Jim, "Sailor On Board Eisenhower Killed During Training", Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, 5 October 2008 [13] Prince, Adam (22 February 2009). "Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Deploys" (http:/ / www. eisenhower. navy. mil/ Papers/ 2009/ February/ feb22. pdfwebsite. pdf). USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). . Retrieved 23 February 2009. [14] Press, Associated (2 January 2010). "Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG deploys". Navy Times. [15] Vaughn, Tyra (3 January 2010). "Eisenhower strike group deploys to Middle East for 6 months". dailypress.com.

27

References SourcesThis article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here (http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/d6/cvn69.htm).

External links USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Official Site (http://www.eisenhower.navy.mil) Eisenhower bolsters US security presence off Somalia (http://www.janes.com/defence/news/jni/ jni070110_1_n.shtml) Jane's Navy International, January 2007 Dwight D. Eisenhower Sea Stories home page (http://www.ikebites.com) Dwight D. Eisenhower Reunion 2008 home page (http://www.cvn69.com) USS Dwight D. Eisenhower webpage (http://www.navysite.de/cvn/cvn69.html) Maritimequest USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69 Photo Gallery (http://www.maritimequest.com/ warship_directory/us_navy_pages/aircraft_carriers/uss_dwight_d_eisenhower_cvn_69_page_1.htm) USS Dwight D. Eisenhower history at U.S. Carriers (http://www.uscarriers.net/cvn69history.htm)

USS ''Carl Vinson'' (CVN-70)

28

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)

USS Carl Vinson sailing toward the southern hemisphere. Career (United States) Name: Namesake: Ordered: Builder: Laid down: Launched: Commissioned: Homeport: Motto: Nickname: USS Carl Vinson Carl Vinson 5 April 1974 Newport News Shipbuilding 11 October 1975 15 March 1980 13 March 1982 NAS North Island San Diego, California Vis Per Mare (Strength from the Sea) Starship Vinson, The Gold Eagle, San Francisco's Own, America's Favorite Carrier, Chuckie V, U.S.S. Chuck Wagon, The Carl Prison, Cell Block 70 in active service, as of 2010

Status: Badge:

General characteristics Class and type: Displacement: Length: Nimitz-class aircraft carrier 101300long tons (113500 short tons) Overall: 1092feet (332.8 m) Waterline: 1040feet (317.0 m)[1]


29Beam: Draft: Propulsion: Overall: 252 ft (76.8 m) Waterline: 134 ft (40.8 m) Maximum navigational: 37feet (11.3 m) Limit: 41feet (12.5 m) 2 Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors 4 steam turbines 4 shafts 260,000 shp (194 MW) 30+ knots (56+km/h; 35+mph) Essentially unlimited distance; 20 years Ship's company: 3,200 Air wing: 2,480 AN/SPS-48E 3-D air search radar AN/SPS-49(V)5 2-D air search radar AN/SPQ-9B target acquisition radar AN/SPN-46 air traffic control radars AN/SPN-43C air traffic control radar AN/SPN-41 landing aid radars 4 Mk 91 NSSM guidance systems 4 Mk 95 radars SLQ-32A(V)4 Countermeasures suite SLQ-25A Nixie torpedo countermeasures 2 Mk 57 Mod3 Sea Sparrow 2 RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile 3 Phalanx CIWS Unknown 90 fixed wing and helicopters


Electronic warfare and decoys: Armament:

Armor: Aircraft carried:

The USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is the third United States Navy Nimitz class supercarrier and is named after Carl Vinson, a Congressman from Georgia. Carl Vinson's callsign is "Gold Eagle".

NamesakeA member of the United States House of Representatives for fifty years, Carl Vinson was, for twenty-nine years, the Chairman of the House Naval Affairs and Armed Services Committee.

Ship Seal


30 The seal of USS Carl Vinson shows an eagle, wings spread and talons extended, carrying a banner in its beak. The eagle is emblematic of the nation and the ship's motto, and also represents the power that resides in the ship's aircraft. The eagle flies in the form of a stylized letter "V," the initial of the ship's namesake, Congressman Carl Vinson. The "V" also represents the ship's hull when viewed bow-on. Inscribed on the banner the eagle carries is the Latin Phrase "Vis Per Mare" which means "Strength from the Sea."[2]

Carrier Strike Group 1In October 2009, the US Navy announced that Carl Vinson would be the flagship of the newly established Carrier Strike Group 1, based in San Diego.[3] The ship, under the command of Captain Bruce H. Lindsey, departed Norfolk for San Diego on 12 January 2010. Accompanying the carrier was Carrier Air Wing Seventeen, Destroyer Squadron 1 and the guided missile cruiser Bunker Hill.[4]Seal of USS Carl Vinson.

Design and ConstructionThe keel was laid at Newport News Shipbuilding on 11 October 1975, and on 15 March 1980 the ship was launched/christened. Congressman Carl Vinson became the first person in the history of the United States Navy to witness a ship's launching in his honor. After builder sea trials, she was delivered to the Navy on 26 February 1982.

Ship history1980sUSS Carl Vinson is commissioned on 13 March 1982 at Newport News, Virginia, with Captain Richard Martin commanding. Present were the Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Thomas B. Hayward, Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman, Keynote speaker Senator John Tower, and ship's sponsor Molly Snead. After commissioning, USS Carl Vinson put to sea to conduct flight deck certifications, an evaluation designed to test the ships ability to conduct Modern US Navy carrier air operations. That was followed by numerous at sea periods for various training evolutions along the East Coast.[2] Carl Vinson departed Norfolk on 1 March 1983 with Carrier Air Wing Fifteen (CVW-15) embarked for her maiden deployment, an eight-month around the world cruise to her new homeport of Naval Air Station Alameda, California, arriving on 28 Oct. 1983.[2] Carl Vinson participated in RIMPAC '84 before departing on 14 October 1984 for an overseas deployment in the Western Pacific. Carrier Air Wing Fifteen (CVW-15) was embarked. From January until April 1985, Carl Vinson was in the Indian Ocean for 107 consecutive days. The WESTPAC deployment included Sea of Japan operations while pursuing a Soviet CHARLIE I submarine in the Indian Ocean.[5] The carrier received its first Meritorious Unit Commendation for operations conducted from November 1984 to May 1985. In February, the Chief of Naval Operations named Carl Vinson the winner of the Admiral James H. Flatley Memorial Award for operational readiness and aviation safety for 1984. On 12 August 1986 the ship departed Alameda for a western Pacific deployment, again with CVW-15 aboard, and in the process became the first modern U.S. aircraft carrier to operate in the Bering Sea. In January 1987, after operating extensively in the Indian Ocean and North Arabian Sea, Carl Vinson transited the Bering Sea once more while returning to NAS Alameda.[6]

USS ''Carl Vinson'' (CVN-70) Carl Vinson and CVW-15 departed for the ship's fourth overseas deployment on 15 June 1988. While on station the carrier supported Operation Earnest Will, the escort of U.S. flagged tankers in the Persian Gulf. The carrier returned to the States on 16 December 1988 and was awarded the Admiral Flatley Memorial Award for aviation safety for 1988. On 18 September 1989 the carrier departed Alameda to participate in PACEX '89, the largest peacetime naval exercise since the Second World War. During the exercise Carl Vinson operated in the Bering Sea and the Aleutian Islands, eventually leading a three carrier battle group operation in the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean. Carl Vinson had a port call in Pusan, South Korea and then returned to its home port of Alameda shortly after the devastating 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.[7]

31

1990sVinson departed on her fifth deployment (again with CVW-15) on 1 February 1990, the last deployment for the A-7 Corsair. The ship returned to Alameda on 9 August 1990. On 22 September 1990, Carl Vinson entered the yards at Bremerton Naval Station, Washington for a 28-month complex overhaul (COH). The carrier received its first COMNAVAIRPAC Battle "E" award for 1990.[8] On 17 February 1994 the carrier, with Carrier Air Wing Fourteen embarked, departed for the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. The carrier returned to Alameda on 17 August 1994, receiving its third Admiral Flatley Award for aviation safety. In 1995, a documentary entitled "Carrier: Fortress at Sea" was aired on the Discovery Channel, which chronicled the carrier's six month-long voyage to and from the Persian Gulf. From 26 August until 3 September 1995, Vinson participated in Exercise Ke Koa, as well as ceremonies to commemorate the end of CVW-14 aircraft over Vinson in 1994 World War II in the Pacific. During these ceremonies, President Bill Clinton visited the ship in Hawaii. As part of the commemoration ceremonies, Vinson launched 12 WWII era planes.[9] The ship departed for its seventh deployment 14 May 1996, heading for the Persian Gulf with CVW-14 in support for Operation Southern Watch and Operation Desert Strike. The ship also participated in Exercise Rugged Nautilus before returning to Alameda on 14 November 1996. With the closing of Naval Air Station Alameda, the ship was transferred to Bremerton, Washington, arriving at her new homeport on 17 January 1997, where she played host to the last carrier launch and recovery operations for the A-6E Intruder.[10] In 1998 with Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) embarked, the ship participated in RIMPAC '98 before departing for the Persian Gulf, launching airstrikes on 19 December 1998 in support of Operation Desert Fox and Operation Southern Watch. These strikes continued into March 1999. In July 1999, Carl Vinson was drydocked in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for 11 months as the Navy spent more than $230million to upgrade the ship. Post refit shakedowns continued into 2000.[11]Carl Vinson enters Pearl Harbor with CVW-11 aboard


32

2000sOn 23 July 2001, again with CVW-11 embarked, Carl Vinson steamed from Bremerton, Washington, bound for the Persian Gulf to support Operation Southern Watch. This changed abruptly on 11 September 2001, as the ship was rounding the tip of India. In response to the terror attacks on U.S. soil, Vinson changed course and sped toward the North Arabian Sea, where on 7 October 2001, Vinson launched the first airstrikes in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.[12] For 72 days, Vinson, along with Carrier Wing 11, launched over 4,000 combat sorties in the War on Terror, earning the ship the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Vinson earned the Battle E and Navy Unit Commendation during this deployment. In mid December, Vinson began the return trip home, stopping over at Changi Naval Base, Singapore for Christmas before reaching the U.S. on 23 January 2002. In April, the ship was overhauled, setting sail in September for a post-refit shakedown. During this time several new operational systems were installed,

Documents

Nimitz Class