Following the latest information released by Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-78), one of the most emblematic of the U.S. Navy, arrived in recent hours at Pearl Harbor, marking what observers define as an apparent operational closure of its latest deployment in the Indo-Pacific prior to its definitive retirement from service. The latest images shared on social media show the flagship entering the Hawaiian naval base after weeks of operations in the South China Sea, where it led exercises with other allied navies.
This movement constitutes a new milestone within the final stretch of the USS Nimitz, which in March of this year had departed from San Diego to begin the deployment that would put an end to almost five decades of continuous service, being the oldest operational aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy. It was assigned to its forward-deployed homeport in Yokosuka, Japan, to carry out missions under the command of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).
During last June, the group was ordered to move toward the Middle East, where it temporarily assumed the tasks of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) Carrier Strike Group, which had returned to San Diego after its eight-month deployment. The presence of the Nimitz in that area aimed to support maritime security operations and maintain the rapid response capability of the 5th Fleet, during a period of particular tension in the Persian Gulf framed by the armed conflict between Israel and Iran. After completing that rotation and completing the visit to Bahrain, the USS Nimitz began its transit toward the South China Sea.
As had been reported at the end of October, the USS Nimitz was deployed for the last time to the South China Sea, where it carried out operations together with units of the accompanying Strike Group, which included anti-surface warfare exercises, escort, embarked air missions, and naval presence.
It should not be overlooked that these movements were closely monitored by other military forces, especially China. At this point, it is important to mention that the current deployment in one of the most disputed regions in the world marks a symbolic closure for one of the most veteran ships in the U.S. surface fleet. Despite its age, CVN-68 continues to be a fully operational platform, capable of deploying an embarked air wing composed of F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early-warning aircraft, and C-2A Greyhound refueling aircraft.
On the path toward deactivation
The arrival at Pearl Harbor is interpreted by many as one of the final logistical and administrative stops before the aircraft carrier returns to its homeport in San Diego to begin the formal stages of decommissioning. According to what was detailed by the Navy itself, planning for its retirement began in 2024, including technical, budgetary, and industrial preparation aspects.
According to the U.S. Navy, the retirement of CVN-68 implies the beginning of the dismantling process of a nuclear ship 333 meters long, 100,000 tons of displacement, and decades of global operations. According to the U.S. Navy’s plans, the path would begin in 2026, under the responsibility of the Newport News shipyard, consisting of three major phases: inactivation, reactor compartment removal, and recycling.
Who will take the place of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier?
Regarding the assets that will take the place of the USS Nimitz once its retirement is completed, the U.S. Navy aims for a progressive transition toward the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers, while the rest of the Nimitz-class will continue operating in the coming years according to their respective maintenance cycles. It is expected that a large part of the equipment, systems, and components recovered during the dismantling process of CVN-68 will be reused to strengthen the spare-parts inventories of the units in service, reducing logistical costs and extending the useful life of platforms still in operation.
The exception will naturally be its nuclear reactor, which after an exhaustive process of cleaning and isolation will be transferred to facilities managed by the Department of Energy in Washington, in accordance with the protocols established for retired nuclear-powered ships.
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