USS Nimitz, Oldest US Navy Supercarrier, Begins Final Voyage

The 51-year-old aircraft carrier is shifting homeport to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia ahead of decommissioning.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The USS Nimitz (CVN-68), the United States Navy's oldest active nuclear-powered supercarrier, departed from Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington on Saturday morning for its final voyage. The Nimitz-class carrier will make the 12,400-nautical-mile journey to its new homeport at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, where it will begin the decommissioning process that could take up to a decade.

Why it matters

The departure of the USS Nimitz marks the end of an era for the Pacific Northwest, which has hosted the carrier for the majority of its 51 years of service. With the Nimitz's departure, Naval Base Kitsap is now home to only one aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, until the future USS John F. Kennedy arrives in the coming years.

The details

The USS Nimitz, which entered service in 1976, completed its final global deployment in December 2025. Due to its size, the carrier will take the long route around Cape Horn at the tip of South America to reach the Atlantic Ocean and its new homeport in Virginia. The 12,400-nautical-mile voyage is expected to take two to three weeks, but could be extended if the carrier participates in upcoming military exercises in the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility.

  • The USS Nimitz departed Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington on Saturday morning.
  • The carrier completed its final global deployment in December 2025.
  • The USS Nimitz is expected to arrive at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia by early to mid-April 2026.

The players

USS Nimitz (CVN-68)

The United States Navy's oldest active nuclear-powered supercarrier, which has served for 51 years.

Capt. Joseph Furco

The commanding officer of the USS Nimitz.

Lt. Cmdr. Peter Pagano

The spokesman for the USS Nimitz carrier.

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)

The only aircraft carrier now homeported at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington.

USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79)

The future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier that is scheduled to be delivered to the US Navy in 2027 and arrive at Naval Base Kitsap sometime in 2029.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This ship and her crew could not be more thankful to the people of Washington State for their decades of hospitality, friendship and trust. It is in no small part due to the support of our local community that Nimitz Sailors have been able to successfully train, fight and win, exemplifying the ship's motto; Teamwork, a Tradition.”

— Capt. Joseph Furco, Commanding officer of USS Nimitz

“Detailed planning is currently underway for Nimitz to visit several partner states on the ship's circumnavigation of the continent of South America, en route to its new homeport. Additional details on the upcoming Southern Seas 2026 deployment, such as participating and embarked units, will be released before it begins.”

— Lt. Cmdr. Peter Pagano, Spokesman for the USS Nimitz carrier (Stars and Stripes)

What’s next

The USS Nimitz is expected to participate in the upcoming South Seas 2026 military exercises as part of its journey to its new homeport in Norfolk, Virginia.

The takeaway

The departure of the USS Nimitz, the U.S. Navy's oldest supercarrier, from its longtime home in the Pacific Northwest marks the end of an era for the region. While Naval Base Kitsap will soon welcome the future USS John F. Kennedy, the loss of the Nimitz underscores the changing landscape of naval operations and the decommissioning of aging warships.