USS Nimitz arrives at its new homeport, Naval Station Norfolk

USS Nimitz arrived Thursday at its new and final homeport, Naval Station Norfolk, Va., concluding what is likely to be its final major deployment.

Nimitz, commissioned in 1975, and its 3,000 sailors have been at sea since leaving previous homeport Naval Base Kitsap in Washington on March 7. After circumnavigating South America and hosting exercises or VIP visits involving 17 nations along the way, the carrier made a final stop near the tip of Manhattan for celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and the Declaration of Independence.

“Nimitz and its crew performed outstandingly as they demonstrated unity, shared values, and commitment to global maritime security alongside our nation’s partners and allies,” said Rear Adm. Forrest Young, commander of Carrier Strike Group 8. “I am proud to have them join the Carrier Strike Group 8 team and to welcome them home.”

Its most recent stop was New York Harbor as the centerpiece of the International Naval Review. More than 130 invited navies and coast guards from around the world took part in the review, including more than 30 tall ships.

In Norfolk, the carrier will be involved in training sailors and aviators, Nimitz spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Peter Pagano told Stars and Stripes on Thursday.

“Nimitz is planning to support carrier qualifications while the ship remains active and homeported in Norfolk,” Pagano said.

Carrier qualifications are training and evaluation flights to certify that Navy and Marine Corps aviators to safely take off from and land on an aircraft carrier.

Pilots must successfully take off from a carrier using the catapult system, then fly back to the carrier for an arrested landing. Qualifications include both daylight and night landings, along with emergency procedures for approach and recovery.

While in Norfolk, Nimitz would remain in the active fleet and potentially be available for additional roles and possible deployments, Pagano said.

Nimitz had previously been scheduled to retire once it arrived in Norfolk. However, the Navy has extended its active-duty until at least March 2027 to match the commissioning date of the new USS John F. Kennedy, the second of the new Gerald R. Ford class of aircraft carriers.

Sailors shift colors on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz as the ship arrives at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, July 9, 2026. (Gina Gallia/U.S. Navy)

Sailors reunite with their families and loved ones on the pier after Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz arrived at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, July 9, 2026. (David Rosinski/U.S. Navy)

Sailors reunite with their families and loved ones on the pier after Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz arrived at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, July 9, 2026. (Molly Guy/U.S. Navy)

Sailors reunite with their families and loved ones on the pier after Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz arrived at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, July 9, 2026. (Molly Guy/U.S. Navy)

Sailors reunite with their families and loved ones on the pier after Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz arrived at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, July 9, 2026. (David Rosinski/U.S. Navy)

Sailors man the rails on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz as the ship arrives at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, July 9, 2026. (Alyssa J. Boling/U.S. Navy)

Sailors man the rails on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz as the ship arrives at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, July 9, 2026. (Alyssa J. Boling/U.S. Navy)

Sailors shift colors on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz as the ship arrives at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, July 9, 2026. (Alyssa J. Boling/U.S. Navy)