The Grand old Dame of the Fleet isn’t Ready to Clock Out Just Yet

Twenty-six ships from 13 partner and allied nations steam in formation with Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during a multinational maritime exercise as part of Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) 250 in the Atlantic Ocean, June 25, 2026. We covered the “final” cruise of the class-leading, bar-setting USS Nimitz earlier this year, and the prospect that the 51-year-old flattop, the oldest CVN in the world since 2017, could linger as a training carrier for a while. AVTN-68, if you will. With the carrier not scheduled for decommissioning until March 2027, when the recently delivered PCU USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) would clock in, Nimitz could be very busy for the next five months or more. Per Navy PAO: During its first underway period since completing a homeport shift to Norfolk, Va. in July, Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) conducted its Precision Approach Landing Systems (PALS) certification, Oct. 5-8. PALS, supported by the ship’s combat systems department and…