An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the “Kestrels” of Strike Fighter Squadron 137, launches off the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the Pacific Ocean on March 15, 2026. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled homeport shift to Norfolk, Va. (Julian Jaime/U.S. Navy)
Squadrons of attack aircraft have been sent to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz as it heads south for exercises in the Pacific Ocean south of San Diego, the Navy said late Wednesday.
“I can confirm that our air wing joined us after getting underway from San Diego,” Lt. Cmdr. Peter Pagano, spokesman for the Nimitz, said in an email from aboard the ship.
Pagano said the exact makeup of the squadrons would be released Friday in a statement from U.S. 4th Fleet, the command responsible for U.S. naval forces operating in Caribbean, Central and South American regions.
The Nimitz left its homeport, Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Wash., on March 7. The nearly 51-year-old carrier was headed to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., where it was to arrive in mid-April for its planned decommissioning.
After departing Bremerton, the Navy announced the Nimitz would participate in the Southern Seas 2026 exercises. The Nimitz made a brief stop at North Island Naval Air Station, in San Diego, before departing on the morning of March 14.
An E/A-18G Growler, attached to the “Cougars” of Electronic Attack Squadron 139, prepares to land on the flight deck of USS Nimitz in the Pacific Ocean on March 14, 2026. (Jaron Wills/U.S. Navy)
A C-2A Greyhound, attached to the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40, lands on the flight deck of USS Nimitz in the Pacific Ocean on March 14, 2026. (Tanner Orth/U.S. Navy)
Sailors man the rail of the USS Nimitz as it passes the Nimitz-class carrier USS Carl Vinson during its departure Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego on March 14, 2026. (Tanner Orth/U.S. Navy)
An E/A-18G Growler, attached to the “Cougars” of Electronic Attack Squadron 139, launches from the flight deck of USS Nimitz in the Pacific Ocean on March 16, 2026. (Edward Jacome/U.S. Navy)
Navy photos released Tuesday show aircraft the service says were operating on the carrier on March 14 and 15, including F/A-18 Hornet fighter-attack jets and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets.
The Navy said the carrier was operating at the time in the 3rd Fleet area of operations. The 3rd Fleet is responsible for naval operations in the eastern and northern Pacific Ocean.
The Navy has not said what, if any, escort vessels are accompanying the Nimitz. Destroyers or cruisers are usually dispatched when the carrier is operating as a strike group.
The service announced last week that the Nimitz’s service life would be extended into 2027, allowing the Navy to maintain the congressionally mandated minimum of 11 aircraft carriers.
The USS John F. Kennedy, the Navy’s second Ford-class aircraft carrier, is scheduled to be delivered and commissioned in March 2027.
