USS Nimitz Begins Last Cruise Ahead of Decommissioning

The Navy's oldest aircraft carrier is sailing to Norfolk, Va. before being retired later this year.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The U.S. Navy's USS Nimitz (CVN-68), the lead ship in the Nimitz class of aircraft carriers, has left its homeport in Bremerton, Washington and is sailing to Norfolk, Virginia ahead of its planned decommissioning later in 2026. The 50-year-old carrier will participate in the Southern Seas 2026 exercises in U.S. Southern Command before arriving at its new homeport.

Why it matters

The decommissioning of the USS Nimitz, the oldest aircraft carrier in the Navy's fleet, marks the end of an era for the Nimitz-class carriers that have been the backbone of the U.S. naval aviation force for decades. The Nimitz's retirement will pave the way for newer, more advanced aircraft carriers to take over.

The details

The USS Nimitz left its homeport at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington on Saturday and will switch its homeport to Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. While sailing to its new homeport, the Nimitz will participate in the Southern Seas 2026 exercises in U.S. Southern Command. The carrier is not certified for national tasking during this final cruise. Once the Nimitz arrives in Norfolk, it will be deactivated and its reactor will be defueled by Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News.

  • The USS Nimitz left Bremerton, Washington on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
  • The USS Nimitz is scheduled to be decommissioned in May 2026 at the conclusion of its 50-year service life.

The players

USS Nimitz (CVN-68)

The lead ship in the Nimitz class of aircraft carriers, the USS Nimitz is the oldest aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy's fleet. It has been based at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington since 2015.

U.S. Navy

The sea-based branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, responsible for naval operations including the deployment of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier.

Naval Station Norfolk

A major U.S. Navy base located in Norfolk, Virginia that will become the new homeport for the USS Nimitz.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)

A major American defense contractor that will be responsible for deactivating the USS Nimitz and defueling its reactor at their shipyard in Newport News, Virginia.

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)

One of the eleven unified combatant commands of the United States Armed Forces, responsible for military operations in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, where the USS Nimitz will participate in the Southern Seas 2026 exercises.

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What they’re saying

“Detailed planning is currently underway for Nimitz to visit several partner states on the ship's circumnavigation of the continent of South America, enroute to its new homeport.”

— Lt. Cmdr. Peter Pagano, Navy spokesman (USNI News)

What’s next

Once the USS Nimitz arrives in Norfolk, Virginia, Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News will begin the process of deactivating the carrier and defueling its nuclear reactor, ahead of the ship's planned decommissioning in May 2026.

The takeaway

The decommissioning of the USS Nimitz, the oldest aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy's fleet, marks the end of an era for the Nimitz-class carriers that have been central to naval aviation for the past five decades. This transition will pave the way for newer, more advanced aircraft carriers to take over as the backbone of the U.S. naval force.