Some months ago, USS Nimitz completed it's last active duty cruise, and returned to it's home port of Bremerton, WA. Her next trip was to be to Norfolk, VA, for preparation for scrapping.

Then, it was announced that, on the way to Norfolk, Nimitz would make a series of show the flag stops as she steams around South America.

It was also announced that she was being officially transferred to the Atlantic Fleet.

With tongue firmly in cheek, I suggested, on a Navy page on FB, that God on Earth Trump would order the Nimitz, following her trip around South America, to steam into Havana harbor and claim Cuba for the regime.

I should keep my tongue out of cheek.

March 14, 2026

Navy Extends USS Nimitz Service Life to 2027, in Line with Carrier John F. Kennedy’s Delivery

The Navy’s oldest aircraft carrier will remain in the fleet 10 months longer than expected, according to a Friday contract announcement from the service.

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is now scheduled for decommissioning in March of 2027, rather than this coming May, the service said in a statement provided to USNI News.

news.usni.org - Navy extends uss nimitz service life to in line with carrier john f kennedys delivery

So when Nimitz steams into the Caribbean, she will be a fully active, in-commission, warship. Maybe no air group embarked, but there are plenty of Naval Air Stations around the Gulf that can provide an air wing.

Steve