As one of the largest nuclear-powered warships in the world, the USS Nimitz has enjoyed a storied history. The ship was built with an operational lifespan of 50 years way back in 1975. Having recently passed her 48th birthday, the time for USS Nimitz decommissioning is almost upon us.
If you’re a naval history buff, learn more about the USS Nimitz and what will happen to her once she has been decommissioned.
The USS Nimitz: An Aircraft Carrier With an Impressive Pedigree and Historical Significance
The USS Nimitz was built to the tune of $106.5 million (a little more than $973 million in today’s dollars). The completed ship was delivered to the Navy and commissioned at Naval Station Norfolk by President Gerald Ford.
The Nimitz’s maiden journey occurred in 1976. During her first employment, she crossed the Mediterranean Sea accompanied by the cruisers USS California and USS South Carolina.
Several years later in 1979, the ship headed to the Indian Ocean to assist with the Iran hostage crisis, during which the U.S. Embassy was overtaken with 50+ hostages inside.
A year later, the Nimitz enjoyed some time on the big screen. She served as the set for the 1980 movie “The Final Countdown.”
In 1981, the Nimitz was embroiled in controversy after a Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler crashed into the flight deck, killing 14 crewmembers. Several of those killed tested positive for marijuana, which led to President Ronald Reagan implementing a Zero-Tolerance drug policy for all military members. This policy was the beginning of mandatory drug testing for military personnel.
In 1995, the USS Nimitz headed to the waters around Taiwan for a patrol due to Chinese missile testing in the area. The ship became the first U.S. warship to sail through the Taiwan Strait since the 1970s.
In 1997, the Nimitz was part of a Joint Force Task Exercise and a “Revolution in Strike Warfare” demonstration. During the demonstration, the Nimitz and the accompanying Carrier Air Wing Nine carried out 771 strike sorties and dropped more than 1,300 bombs.
The Nimitz saw plenty of action during the early aughts. Deployments took the ship to Iraq, India, and the Western Pacific. In 2007, the ship was awarded the Naval Battle “E” for superior battle efficiency.
One Final Voyage Before the Nimitz’s Service Retirement
The USS Nimitz decommissioning is set to take place in 2026, but her journey isn’t over yet. Currently, she’s deployed on a seven-month journey in the Indo-Pacific. Before that, the Nimitz completed a 340-day-long deployment spanning nearly 99,000 nautical miles. This marked one of the longest warship deployments since World War II.
What Will Happen to the USS Nimitz During Navy Decommissioning?
Decommissioning a warship is nothing like sending a car to the junkyard. Before decommissioning, the ship goes into a cool-down period during which the naval crew will take out usable parts. The crew will also remove weapons and ammo, which will be transferred to another vessel. Crewmembers will be assigned to a different ship.
Because the Nimitz is nuclear-powered, decommissioning also involves removing the fuel from the ship’s two nuclear reactors. The fuel will be placed in a shielded container and shipped to the Idaho Naval Reactors Facility. The reactors themselves will be shipped to a Department of Energy facility in Washington.
In short, decommissioning and fleet replacement does not truly mean “goodbye” for the Nimitz. The soul of this warship will live on in sister carriers and other fleets nationwide.
Commemorate the USS Nimitz Decommissioning With Our Challenge Coins
The era of the USS Nimitz is coming to an end, but you don’t have to let this beautiful warship fade from your memory. Why not memorialize the Nimitz with our custom challenge coins and commemorative coins? Our coins make great gifts for history fans, too. To learn more, call us at (888) 657-2511.
FAQs About Challenge Coins
Interested in our custom challenge coins and commemorative coins? Learn more here!
What Are Challenge Coins Used For?
Challenge coins are used to show one’s membership in an organization, such as the military or law enforcement. Members of an organization pass challenge coins to others as a sort of rite of passage. Groups may also play challenge coin games with members. If a challenger asks a member to produce their coin, they must do so promptly. If they can’t, they have to buy the challenger a drink.
Can Civilians Get Challenge Coins?
Civilians can certainly get challenge coins. Challenge coins are not just for members of the military. Civilians can receive them for their volunteer service, accomplishments in their workplace, or contributions to their community.
What Are Commemorative Coins?
Commemorative coins, as the name suggests, commemorate a special occasion or event. You can order commemorative coins for the USS Nimitz decommissioning or any other historical event. Contact us to start the custom commemorative coin design process today.
