JTF-Quartz Weapon System – USS Nimitz (CVN 68)

Photo By Ensign Greg Hall | 201209-N-OT701-0043 NORTH ARABIAN SEA (December 9, 2020) The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) transits the North Arabian Sea. Nimitz, the flagship of Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three critical chokepoints to the free flow of global commerce. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Hall/Released)  

INDIAN OCEAN

12.28.2020

Story by Bryan Franks 

Joint Task Force-Quartz

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is the flagship of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and is currently operating off the coast of Somalia under Joint Task Force – Quartz in support of Operation Octave Quartz. The mission of OOQ is to reposition U.S. Department of Defense personnel from Somalia to other locations in East Africa.
USS Nimitz is a supercarrier of the U.S. Navy, and the lead ship of the Nimitz class. Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America's Naval forces. On any given day, aircraft carriers exercise the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Navigation Directions of Warfighting First, Being Ready and Operating Forward.
Aircraft carriers support and operate aircraft that engage in attacks on airborne, afloat, and ashore targets that threaten free use of the sea and engage in sustained power projection operations in support of U.S. and coalition forces. The aircraft carrier and its strike group also engage in maritime security operations to interdict threats to merchant shipping and prevent the use of the seas for terrorism and piracy. Aircraft carriers also provide unique capabilities for disaster response and humanitarian assistance. The embarked carrier air wing provides helicopters for direct support and C4I assets to support them and ensure aid is routed quickly and safely.
General Characteristics, Nimitz class Builder: Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, Virginia
Date Deployed: May 3, 1975 (USS Nimitz)
Unit Cost: About $8.5 billion in constant year FY 12 dollars
Propulsion: Two nuclear reactors, four shafts.
Length: 1,092 feet (332.85 meters).
Beam: 134 feet (40.84 meters); Flight Deck Width: 252 feet (76.8 meters)
Displacement: Approximately 97,000 tons (87,996.9 metric tons) full load
Speed: 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour)
Crew: Ship's Company: 3,000-3,200, air wing: 1,500, other: 500
Armament: Multiple NATO Sea Sparrow, Phalanx CIWS and Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) mounts
Aircraft: Approximately 60+

• Date Taken: 12.28.2020
• Date Posted: 12.29.2020 09:06
• Story ID: 385952
• Location: INDIAN OCEAN