USS Nimitz

What do the Colored Jerseys worn on the Flight Deck mean? 

Rainbow Sideboys or Skittles on the USS Nimitz

On the Stennis they are referred to as the "Rainbow Sideboys." On the Nimitz they are called the "Skittles" because of their different colored jerseys. Each color means a specific thing in reference to the job being done. Check here for the explanation.

A Day Aboard the USS Nimitz 

A photo essay about the USS Nimitz

A beautiful photo essay of a day on the USS Nimitz during Fleet Week.

USS Nimitz Steel Beach 

Beach Walks with Rox

USS Nimitz Steel Beach #1

Who knew after all my disco years dancing to the tune of "in the navy" I would be a DV (Distinguished Visitor) on a US Navy aircraft carrier? Who knew a former ant-war protester from UC Berkeley would be invited aboard a war ship, free to roam the ship unsupervised? Shane and I spent an overnight on the USS Nimitz - a 4.5 acre steel beach

USS Nimitz Steel Beach #2

Meet Captain Mike Manazir, who tells us to ask any question, take pictures and videos, talk to the sailors, no restrictions. Right away with the Captain you will get a feeling for the people on board. One of my fellow travelers, Olwen Huxley, summed it up perfectly: I got on the Nimitz "wow, the technology" and got off the Nimitz "wow, the people

USS Nimitz Steel Beach #3

This episode from the USS Nimitz takes place on the flight deck, with F18 hornets and super hornets taking off and landing. Meet Lt. Sam Kesler, the "shooter" who is also our tour guide. Watch Rox ask the "I've never seen a fighter jet" questions! And be sure to watch the two previous episodes and stay tuned for several more!

USS Nimitz Steel Beach #4

Quartermaster Ramon Sturdivant did not graduate from high school yet now he spends his days doing trigonometry and calculus as one of the navigators on board the USS Nimitz. Find out what tools they use to wander the oceans of the world and listen while Rox asks about UFO's. This episode was filmed on the bridge, 9 levels above the flight deck. Keep in mind that the average age of sailors on board is 19. Yes, teenagers are the engine behind this 1000 foot aircraft carrier. It says a lot about the power of training, procedures, and accountability

USS Nimitz Steel Beach #5

Petty Officer Kayla Johnson gives us a tour of the enlisted berthing quarters and talks about the more personal side of being on board an aircraft carrier for six months. Find out about relationships and BBQ's, and take the best seat on the boat with us. It's a sunrise like no other.

USS Nimitz Steel Beach #6

Lots of shout outs from the crew of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and a chance to find out if the advertising slogan, "Join the Navy and see the world" is more fact or fiction.

USS Nimitz Steel Beach #7

Over the past few decades, it appears the military has learned some things the rest of us are still catching up on. If you provide good training and you have reliable procedures and consequences, then just about anything is doable. The main point stressed to us was that the military exists primarily to prevent war, not win war. The appropriate show of force and the claiming of one's authentic power, can deter the large majority of problems.

Nimitz Links 

Read more about the USS Nimitz

General Petraeus with Nimitz on Thanksgiving

Petraeus took a helo over to visit Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102). Returning to Nimitz, Petraeus carved a turkey for Nimitz crew members for a memorable Thanksgiving dinner.

In addition to 1,000 pounds of traditional Thanksgiving turkeys, Nimitz' food service team served up 600 pounds of ham, 15 roasted pigs, roast-steamship rounds of beef, broiled lobster, and 150 one gallon cans of cranberry sauce.

San Diego Reader Big-Ship Politics

What is known for certain is that the Navy is playing a game of high-level musical chairs with a couple of its carriers, including the USS Nimitz. The San Diego-based nuclear-powered ship is set to depart for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, in December 2010 for 16 months of maintenance, according to a news release issued by Democratic congressman Norm Dicks. Following repairs, Dicks said, the Nimitz will be based in nearby Everett, where it will replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which in turn will go to Norfolk, Virginia, for refueling in 2013.

Business Academy: Lessons From The U.S. Navy

Few civilians have the opportunity to stand atop a nuclear power plant driving 100,000 tons of steel through the ocean. Yet there I was, a Prius-driving, granola-eating, anti-gun, Left Coast Californian, on board one of the world's largest aircraft carriers, the USS Nimitz, as part of a Navy outreach program designed to give ordinary landlubbers like me a perspective on the mission and operations of a naval strike group.

Nimitz Sailors Climb Mount Fuji

During a recent port visit to Yokosuka, Japan Nimitz sailors were given an opportunity to climb Mount Fuji.

Dropping the Carrier Requirement to 10, 9, and Potentially 8

The big Navy news over the past week was the rumor, as reported by DoDBuzz, that the Navy is evaluating a further reduction of aircraft carriers to nine. This is how DoD Buzz reported the story.

File this one under QDR rumors, although senior OSD officials thought about cutting a carrier from the very beginning of the QDR. Now, sources tell us that OSD may actually chop an additional carrier from the Navy's battle fleet, a move that would take the force down to nine carriers from the current total of 11.

Nimitz Arrives in Singapore

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) arrived at Changi Naval Base in Singapore today for a scheduled port visit as part of their 2009 Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment.
This port visit demonstrates U.S. commitment to promoting peace, regional cooperation and stability throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
While in Singapore, Nimitz Sailors will participate in community service projects providing grounds and facilities maintenance to Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants & Itinerant People Migrant Training Center (ACMI) and the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH).

Nimitz Links 

Read More About the Nimitz

PGA Putts Around on Nimitz

Two PGA golf instructors helped more than 50 Sailors aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) sharpen their golf skills during a free golf clinic July 23-24.

Mike Barerras and Matt Brumbaugh instructors, at the Sea N' Air Golf Course on Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI), held three sessions that gave Sailors the opportunity to receive one-on-one instruction for 15 minutes with a PGA professional.

Nimitz Strike Group Set To Deploy

Aircraft carriers continue to be one of our nation's primary on-call assets in times of need, and they enable the Navy to execute the six core capabilities of the maritime strategy - forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security and humanitarian assistance/disaster response.

Replenishment at Sea for the Nimitz

Military Sealift Command (MSC) fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10) conducted a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) Aug. 14 with the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
The RAS allowed for transfer of fuel and supplies to Nimitz prior to her transit into the 7th Fleet Area of Operations.

Secretary Mabus Tours Nimitz, Praises Critical Work of Sailors in the Pacific

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Aug. 28, 2009) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Ray Mabus addresses Sailors from Fleet Activities Yokosuka and tenant commands during an all-hands call aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Dominique Pineiro/Released)