Nimitz News

Nimitz Family and Friends,

I am VERY PLEASED to report that the results of Nimitz Sea Trials were outstanding. Numerous type commander inspectors and also ship yard employees and commented that Nimitz is in superb condition following a 6 month overhaul. Normally, it takes 1 to 2 months to work the bugs out of the equipment following such extensive maintenance availability, but Nimitz is ready now. I have to brag that the reason for our GOOD condition is the teamwork between ships force and the contractors. They all did a GREAT job. The highlights of our sea trial successes included maximum speed ahead and astern, full rudder throw at max speed, taking 1.3 million gallons of jet fuel, combat weapon systems tests, communication systems, flight deck catapults and arresting gear and dozens more. We also welcomed back about 12 CVW-11 aircraft to regain our proficiency on the flight deck. In only 2.5 days we had over 200 arrested landings and nearly 100 touch and goes, during day and night flight operations.

About two months ago, we penciled in the date of 13 September for a Friends and Family day on Nimitz. That date has now been approved and I announced that to the crew during sea trials. The basics are that we will get underway at 0900 and return at 1700 in the afternoon. All guests need to be aboard no later than 0800 and we expect to have Sailors and their guests heading off the ship about 1800. In order to give everyone a chance to see what Nimitz does, the limit is 5 guests per Sailor. Exceptions to that guideline will be considered on a case by case basis by the XO. We expect to host about 4000 guests. Cost for all guests of the Friends and Family day is 9 dollars (for food) or 27 dollars for food/ballcap/t-shirt or 36 dollars for food/ballcap/t-shirt/patch/mug. Sign up deadline is 8 September. Minimum age is 8 years old and all guests need to be in good health. Expect to climb dozens of ships ladders. We do expect a small flight demo from CVW-11. We are working quickly to build a day that gives our guests an exposure to everything that Nimitz Sailors do.

Our schedule for the next few months is the normal aircraft carrier / air wing work up. We will be out for a week or two and back in, several times. I am very pleased that the current schedule has us home for Thanksgiving and home for the Christmas / New Year holidays. In our business, you always need to be ready for change as that is part of our job. Our schedule for the next few months will likely have small changes, but when we look at the long range schedule (Feb 05 and beyond), more changes are likely just due to it being over 6 months from now. We respond to the Countries needs and train everyday that when called, we respond with overwhelming power as we did during OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom). Great effort is devoted to training to do our mission SAFELY. Our operational success and Superb safety record is clearly the result of motivated and dedicated Sailors doing their job as professionals. In fact, Nimitz recently received the Flatley award, which is awarded for operational safety to the top Carrier in the both Atlantic and Pacific fleets.

I would like to take the opportunity to highlight a specific Nimitz department for their support to the crew. Nimitz Supply Department musters about 450 Sailors and every aspect of their job is SERVICE to the crew and SERVICE to the war fighter. Nimitz Supply does a superb job and NOTHING would happen without them. We have numerous supply divisions including ordering, shipping and stocking parts for the ship and aircraft, food service for the crew, ships store including stocking dozens of vending machines, laundry for 5000, barber shop, disbursing, post office, hazmat and MWR (morale / welfare / recreation). Regarding keeping the crew well fed on the mess decks – that is a challenge EVERY DAY. We serve over 18,000 meals every day. Many departments often get ready for a big inspection or evolution, but the Nimitz Food Service Team gets ready for meals, 4 times a day. In fact, the cooks have to be nearly ready for lunch when breakfast is over and nearly ready for dinner when we secure from lunch. As a carrier has work going 24 hours a day, we also serve a meal at 11pm to support those who work nights. (Some Sailors eat 4 meals a day!) As in all families, the food service team’s work is never done. The Nimitz food service team takes GREAT PRIDE in their work and they know there are ALWAYS hungry Sailors waiting to serve. They do it with class and dedication and I am VERY PROUD of them.

Thanks for your support of NIMITZ.

With Greatest Respect,

Captain Bob Gilman

CO, USS Nimitz