PACIFIC OCEAN - Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, visited the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), at sea, as part of a scheduled visit, April 14.

Tyson visited Nimitz to meet with leadership and observe Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 during their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) as they prepare for an upcoming deployment.

This is Tyson’s first visit to Nimitz since 2016, after the ship completed a nearly two-year yard period at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and began its condensed Inter-Deployment Training Cycle (IDTC).

“It’s been my pleasure to watch you guys finish up the yard period, which I know is not an easy task,” said Tyson while addressing the crew. “It extended longer than you would have liked, but you guys did a great job getting out of the yards, building the team, getting through workups and getting to where you are today.”

Nimitz left its homeport of Bremerton, Wash., March 13 to begin COMPTUEX and is expected to complete the final phase of deployment training later this month.

“I know that every one of you here on this ship are being challenged,” said Tyson. “Look out for each other. You will be tired and we know that. Make sure you are looking out for your shipmates through every evolution and being safe.”

The visit also allowed Tyson to convene with Commander, CSG 11 Rear Adm. William Byrne and Commander, CSG 15 Rear Adm. Ross Myers, who is evaluating CSG 11 on their COMPTUEX performance.

“I feel very confident that when you deploy later this year, our country can feel very confident and proud of this strike group as she goes west to serve in future areas of operations,” said Tyson.