USS Nimitz, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68) departed her homeport of San Diego July 31 on a regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment.
"Teamwork … A Tradition" is the motto and philosophy of the USS Nimitz, the flagship of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG). Nimitz will leverage both as she leads a versatile, flexible and mission-tailored force in support of the nation's maritime strategy.
"I'm proud of these Sailors, and all of their families for the mutual commitment to support their country," said Rear Adm. John W. Miller, commander, CSG 11 "This deployment is the culmination of a lot of hard work. We are ready."
Aircraft carriers and their accompanying strike groups deliver the right balance of presence and power necessary to wage war in the 21st century. They enable the Navy to execute the six core capabilities of the maritime strategy – forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security and humanitarian assistance/disaster response.
"This ship is one of our nation's primary on-call assets, we can take this capability forward even to places where access is not assured", said Capt. Michael Manazir, Nimitz' commanding officer, "and it is all made possible through the pride and professionalism of the Nimitz Sailor".
Last year, Nimitz CSG deployed to the western Pacific in support of the U.S. commitment to peace and stability in the region while USS Kitty Hawk's (CV 63) was in maintenance. During the four-month deployment Nimitz CSG supported the maritime strategy by expanding cooperative relationships with the Republic of Korea (ROK), participating in Operation Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2008.
"The carrier strike group has a unique ability to access critical areas and project power ashore without requiring basing ashore, said Miller, "but this same access can also position us for sustained, routine security cooperation activities with foreign partners and allies."
Nimitz CSG, commanded by Miller, is comprised of USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the guided-missile destroyers USS Pinckney (DDG 91) and USS Sampson (DDG 102) of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23, the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin (CG 55) from Commander, Naval Surface Group, Mid-Pacific and the Perry-class frigate USS Rentz (FFG 46) from DESRON 1. Squadrons from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 include the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, the "Tophatters" of VFA 14, the "Warhawks" of VFA 97, the "Sidewinders" of VFA 86, the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 6, the "Black Ravens" of Electronic Attack Squadron 135, the "Providers" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 and the "Wallbangers" of Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron 117. Detachments from the "Easy Riders" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 37, the "Battle Cats" of HSL 43, the "Wolfpack" of HSL 45 and the "Scorpions" of HSL 49. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 and USNS Bridge (T-AOE-10) embarking the "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 also accompany Nimitz CSG.
Nimitz was commissioned in 1975, making it the first Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the U.S. Fleet. The ship is named for World War II Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz.
