USS Nimitz departs San Diego

A U.S. Sailor stands watch aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) while the ship departs Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego following the offload of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, Dec. 9, 2025. CVW-17 operated as part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group during a nearly nine-month mission to the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations. An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Frankie M. Guage)