MY EVERETT NEWS

Click to see a special compilation of photos on the Nimitz Then and Now.

Today marks the 38th Birthday for the USS Nimitz. The Nimitz is now based in Everett and on its first full deployment since coming to its new home. The following is taken from a posting today on the Nimitz Facebook page.

Birthday message read to the crew by ISCS(SW/IDW/AW) James Williams over the ship’s 1MC:

THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS AGO …
THE WORLD TURNED NERVOUSLY, FACING A NUCLEAR SHOWDOWN THAT SHOWED NO SIGNS OF SLOWING.

THE COUNTRY WAS STILL REELING FROM THE PAIN OF WATERGATE, AND THE WOUNDS OF WAR IN SOUTHEAST ASIA WERE STILL FRESH ON EVERYONE’S MIND.

THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS AGO, THE DECKS OF USS NIMITZ CAME ALIVE WITH A CREW WHOSE PRIDE AND PROFESSIONALISM STILL RESONATES TODAY.

ALTHOUGH OLDER AND FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD IN THEIR OWN LIVES, MANY STILL KEEP IN TOUCH THROUGH POSTS ON OUR COMMAND FACEBOOK PAGE. ALMOST ALL CALL THEIR TIME ABOARD “THE BEST TIMES OF MY LIFE..”

SINCE THAT FIRST CREW ASSUMED THE WATCH, WE HAVE SEEN COMMUNISM FALL, SOCIAL BARRIERS CRUMBLE, AND THE DEMISE OF WOULD-BE TYRANTS SEEKING TO ELIMINATE EVERYTHING OUR COUNTRY STANDS FOR.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AMERICA’S CARRIER – LEAD SHIP OF THE NIMITZ CLASS AND NOW THE OLDEST ON ACTIVE SERVICE.

WITHOUT SAYING SO, THE PLANKOWNERS OF USS NIMITZ LEFT US A CHALLENGE. WE ARE THE CUSTODIANS AND CARETAKERS OF THEIR LEGACY.

WHAT WILL BE SAID ABOUT US THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS FROM NOW?

Happy 38th birthday to the Nimitz and her crew from MyEverettNews.com. If you’d like to send a birthday wish you can access the Nimitz Facebook page here.

Got a Nimitz update this afternoon from Kristin Ching at Naval Station Everett…

Nimitz Strike Group Departs for Western Pacific Deployment
By MC2(SW) Jacquelyn D. Childs, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

The Nimitz left Everett on March 30th and is now officially on Deployment to the Western Pacific.

CORONADO, Calif. – The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 departed Naval Air Station North Island, April 19 and will join up with San Diego based guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) for a scheduled Western Pacific deployment.

Nimitz left its homeport of Naval Station Everett, Wash., March 29 to join Princeton and CVW 11 for a Sustainment Exercise (SUSTEX) in preparation for their deployment. The Commander, U.S. Third Fleet-led exercise ensured the deployment readiness of key operational components of the strike group after a delay in deployment as a result of an emergent maintenance requirement.

“This fine warship and its outstanding crew will have the opportunity to sail to the Western Pacific and operate in support of our nation’s ongoing efforts to ensure maritime security,” said Capt. Jeff S. Ruth, Nimitz’s commanding officer.

Prior to the maintenance period that led to the sustainment exercise, the CSG went through a series of exercises including a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) that certified them ready for deployment.

“This strike group is more than ready to perform this nation’s mission,” said Rear Adm. Michael S. White, CSG 11 commander. “They have excelled in a series of strenuous and dynamic exercises and training evolutions in the past year. I can’t wait to see what they can do with this next task ahead of them.”

During Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012, the strike group demonstrated the Navy’s efforts to reduce consumption of energy, decrease reliance on fossil fuels and significantly increase the use of alternative energy as part of the “Great Green Fleet”.

“This ship has navigated successfully through a hectic and fluid schedule throughout 2012 and early 2013,” said Ruth. “It is a testament of the flexibility, capability, and commitment of every Sailor on board.”

Nimitz’s last deployment was in 2009-2010 in support of the nation’s Maritime Strategy. After returning from deployment, the ship entered a routine docking planned incremental availability.

U.S. Third Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific from the West Coast of North America to the international date line and provides realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.

For more news from USS Nimitz (CVN 68), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn68/.

Rear Admiral Mike White and his wife Marietta are new to Everett and say they’ve been warmly welcomed.

Just past 10am this morning, after a brief delay while the fog lifted, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz departed Naval Station Everett. The Nimitz had been scheduled to depart on Friday but that was delayed. In his remarks to reporters this morning, Rear Admiral Mike White said there were a couple of pieces of electrical equipment that he had concerns with yesterday so he re-scheduled the deployment. “There was an issue with the bus transfer in the backup electrical system,” said White. Crews from Bremerton were brought to Everett and worked through the night to get the Nimitz ready to go this morning. More than 100 family members made the trip back to the pier today to say goodbye to the crew. Among those was Marietta White, the admiral’s wife. She said this was either her 9th or 10th deployment in 29 years of marriage to the admiral. The Whites are from Tennessee and have been in Everett for just a month as Mike White was selected as Commander of Strike Force 11. White says the fleet consists of the Nimitz, a cruiser and 4 destroyers. The Nimitz will head to San Diego to pick up their air wing and will then head out for some qualification and training exercises before joining maritime partners in the Pacific. Eventually the Nimitz is expected to head to the Persian Gulf. The deployment is expected to last between six and ten months. You can follow the Nimitz on their Facebook page.

Here are some pictures from today’s departure:

EDITOR’s NOTE: The Nimitz deployment has been rescheduled for Saturday (3/30) at 9:00am LD

The Nimitz is heading out Friday

Got word today that the long-delayed deployment of the USS Nimitz will happen Friday. Here’s what the Navy has released:

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) will depart for six to 10 month deployment on Friday, March 29 from Naval Station Everett (NSE). Nimitz is the flagship for Carrier Strike Group Eleven, commanded by Rear Adm. Michael S. White.

Navy Capt. Jeffrey Ruth is the commander of the carrier. He previously served aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln when the Lincoln was based in Everett.

The ship’s impending deployment, eventually will take the crew of the warship into the Persian Gulf. With a crew of about 3,000 men and women, the Nimitz will be joined at sea by its air wing, adding about 2,000 personnel.

This is the first major deployment of the Nimitz from its Everett home port. The Nimitz is the oldest of the Navy’s currently operating air craft carriers. It was commissioned in 1975.

Click above to visit the official Facebook page of the Nimitz

The USS Nimitz returned to Naval Station Everett this morning and a whole lot of people in Everett are thankful. Here’s the official press release from Kristin Ching at Naval Station Everett…

The USS Nimitz (CVN 68) arrived back in her homeport of Everett, Wash. today after training with her strike group for their upcoming deployment.

The Nimitz, with her Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, successfully completed Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) Nov. 12.

JTFEX is designed to test a strike group’s ability to operate in hostile and complex environments with other U.S. and coalition forces. The integrated exercise combines specific warfare areas with the purpose of making preparations for deployment.

“Nimitz, CSG 11 and CVW 11 displayed enormous resilience and competence while being tested as an integrated force in the Joint Task Force Exercise,” said Commander, CSG 11 Rear Adm. Pete Gumataotao. “I am confident with the integrated training we received we are now fully capable and combat ready to quickly respond to any maritime operation.”

More than 8,000 Sailors worked together to hone their operational skills. Upon completion of the exercise, U.S. Third Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Gerald Beaman certified the CSG as “major combat operations ready” and ready to deploy. The Nimitz CSG is now postured and capable of supporting any of the Navy’s maritime strategy missions prior to its deployment.

“I’m very proud of Warrior Team 11′s performance during these past two months of integrated and joint training,” said Gumataotao. “We are ready to support our Navy’s mission anywhere, anytime.”

The Nimitz CSG includes Commander, Carrier Strike Group Eleven (CSG 11), Carrier Air Wing 11, and Commander Destroyer Squadron 23. Ships assigned include: USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Princeton (CG 59), USS Shoup (DDG 86), USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), USS Preble (DDG 88) and USS Antietam (CG 54).

Third Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific from the West Coast of North America to the international date line and is responsible for providing realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.

It was a happy homecoming in Everett this morning. Click the photo to visit the Nimitz Facebook page.

The USS Nimitz returned to Everett this morning. Here’s the official word on what the Nimitz has been up to from Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan J. Mayes…

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) returned to its homeport of Everett, Wash., today following a 70-day underway period in support of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 and multiple carrier qualification (CQ) exercises.

“Since USS Nimitz departed Everett earlier this summer, we have completed numerous inspections and certifications, immediately leading up to the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise,” said Capt. Jeff Ruth, Nimitz’ commanding officer. “I can’t overemphasize how proud I am of each and every one of the Sailors aboard. Their professionalism and stellar performance led 22 nations through this demanding exercise.”

Since departing Everett in June, the crew of Nimitz has undergone strenuous testing and evaluation. Over the course of 24 general quarters drills, the Afloat Training Group (ATG) monitored the ship’s ability to overcome emergency scenarios. Surpassing ATG’s expectations, the ship successfully finished its tailored ship’s training availability (TSTA) and the final evaluation problem (FEP) as they geared up for their lead role in RIMPAC 2012.

As the flagship for RIMPAC’s combined task force, Nimitz and her crew took part in the world’s largest international maritime exercise. While participating in RIMPAC, the carrier and her crew celebrated numerous achievements along the way. It started with Capt. Greg Harris, commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, completing his 1,000th carrier arrested landing June 18.

“This wasn’t so much an achievement for me as it was a reminder,” said Harris. “Those 1,000 traps show the hard work from the guys maintaining the planes, working the catapults and arresting gears. You don’t get to 1,000 without the sweat of someone moving those chains in 120 degree weather.”

During the Great Green Fleet demonstration, Nimitz became the first ship to receive and test the use of bio-fuel on carrier-based aircraft July 17.
Upon receiving the new bio-fuel, the Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Ray Mabus, and Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Jonathan Greenert, visited the aircraft carrier for the demonstration July 18. The Great Green Fleet demonstration was a step toward the Department of the Navy’s goal to reduce consumption of energy, decrease reliance on fossil fuels and significantly increase the use of alternative energy.

While in the Hawaiian area of operations, the ship hosted more than 500 visitors in an effort to promote the mission of the Navy and expand awareness to the public. The visitors embarked the ship while moored in Pearl Harbor and while underway. The exercise culminated in Nimitz hosting RIMPAC’s closing reception with about 1,800 service members and international dignitaries in attendance. The reception was held within the hangar bays of the ship, which were transformed by more than 250 personnel over a period of three days.

“I think it was appropriate that Nimitz host this event,” said Chief Culinary Specialist Jade Metz. “To bring these different cultures together and by the end of the night see them sharing food and drink was pretty amazing.”

Additionally, Nimitz had the distinct honor of having the Navy’s first Lt. Cmdr. Regina Pearl Mills Leadership Award presented by her husband Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Mills to Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Saleema N. Massey while in port at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) Aug. 9. More than 500 Sailors from the Aviation Boatswain’s Mate community assembled on the flight deck for the ceremony. Mills served aboard Nimitz as the Navy’s first female aircraft handler prior to being struck and killed by a vehicle when she stopped to assist others in a traffic collision Jan. 23, 2012. The legacy Mills left behind is that of strength, determination and tremendous leadership during her time on board.

Lastly, while providing a platform for fleet replacement squadron qualifications, two pilots, Lt. Sergion Armas and Lt. Cmdr. Dan Boyer, attached to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129, landed their E/A-18G Growler on the number three arresting gear wire bringing Nimitz to a monumental 300,000 traps, Aug. 15. Nimitz is one of only two active ships to achieve this milestone, the other being the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). This came just over a month after the same arresting engine passed the 120,000 trap mark.

Despite being separated from friends and family, the voyage has been a rewarding and memorable experience for the Sailors aboard Nimitz. The ship’s participation in RIMPAC 2012 impacted many lives and left a lasting impression on those who walked her decks.