Navy Delays Inactivation of Oldest Active Aircraft Carrier

The Navy has decided to keep the USS Nimitz in service until March 2027, extending its service life by several months. The ship will undergo inactivation and defueling at HII in Newport News after completing its deployment. The Nimitz has completed 8,500 sorties and 17,000 flight hours during its deployment, and its extended service life may reflect the Navy’s commitment to maintaining its fleet capacity and flexibility. This decision was made by a service official late Friday, and the ship departed Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington on March 7 to head to Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia.