USS Nimitz returns to Naval Base Kitsap Dec. 10

NAVAL BASE KITSAP-BREMERTON, WA, UNITED STATES

12.04.2017

Story by Silvia Klatman 

Naval Base Kitsap

There’s no place like home for the holidays and the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) will arrive home at Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Bremerton after a six-month deployment in time to celebrate this festive season.

USS Nimitz departed NBK-Bremerton June 1, 2017. The carrier, embarked with Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG 11), will return home to NBK and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Shoup (DDG 86) and USS Kidd (DDG 100) will return to Naval Station Everett.

The strike group consists of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59). The air wing and DESRON command staff will disembark in San Diego Dec. 5. Princeton and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) will arrive at their homeport at Naval Base San Diego Dec. 5 as well. USS Pinckney (DDG 91) is scheduled to return to its homeport at NBSD Dec. 10.

CVW-11 consists of Lemoore, California-based Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, VFA 154, VFA 146, Whidbey Island, Washington-based Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, Norfolk-based Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, and San Diego-based Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 and Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30.

The strike group:

• Sailed more than 78,000 miles during the deployment (equivalent to approximately five times around the world)
• Flew more than 1,300 combat sorties into Iraq and Syria
• And dropped over 900 pieces of ordnance

The strike group conducted training and operations with the:

• French Marine Nationale
• Indian Navy
• Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
• Republic of Korea Navy
• Royal Australian Navy
• United Kingdom’s Royal Navy
• And Royal New Zealand Navy

These included Malabar 17 in the Indian Ocean, Intrepid Sentinel in the Gulf of Oman, and landmark Three-Carrier Strike Force Operations in the Western Pacific. In addition, the strike group conducted visit, board, search and seizure drills, close-in coordinated maneuvers, flag hoisting drills, sea surveillance, replenishments-at-sea, maritime patrol and reconnaissance, explosive ordnance disposal operations, and air, surface, and anti-submarine warfare training.

“I am very proud of the entire Strike Group and all that our Sailors and Marines accomplished during this deployment,” said Rear Adm. Gregory Harris, commander, Nimitz Strike Group. “The team demonstrated the professionalism, strength, and resolve of the U.S. Navy around the world. They battled through the intense heat of the Arabian Gulf to conduct operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, and now it’s time for all of us to get back and enjoy some well-deserved family time.”

Over the six-month span, the strike group conducted port visits in:

• Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
• Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Chennai, India
• Manama, Bahrain
• Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Hamad, Qatar
• Duqm, Oman
• Pattaya, Thailand
• Sasebo, Japan

Sailors participated in numerous volunteer events, including interacting with children at schools, visiting patients at hospitals, and socializing with animals at shelters. Pinckney Sailors also participated in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 50th anniversary celebration in Thailand, which included an International Fleet Review, conferences, and a parade.

Nimitz Strike Group is part of U.S. 3rd Fleet, which leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. U.S. 3rd Fleet constantly coordinates with U.S. 7th Fleet to plan and execute missions based on their complementary strengths to promote ongoing peace, security, and stability throughout the entire Pacific theater of operations.

• Date Taken: 12.04.2017
• Date Posted: 12.04.2017 18:32
• Story ID: 257416
• Location: NAVAL BASE KITSAP-BREMERTON, WA, US
• Hometown: NAVAL BASE KITSAP-BREMERTON, WA, US