USS Nimitz leaves Bremerton to be decommissioned by the Navy

USS Nimitz FILE PHOTO: The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) steams alongside Pakistan Navy MILGEM-class corvette PNS Babur (P-280) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The aircraft carrier lost two aircraft in separate incidents. (Official U.S. Navy photo) (Seaman Apprentice Franklyn Guage/USS Nimitz (CVN 68))

By KIRO 7 News Staff

BREMERTON, Wash. — USS Nimitz, a 50+ year-old aircraft carrier for the Navy, will be leaving Washington waters for the last time as the Navy plans to retire the vessel.

KIRO 7 has confirmed that the aircraft carrier left Saturday, March 7, heading for Norfolk, Virginia, where it will be decommissioned in May.

It’s the Navy’s oldest aircraft carrier and first of its kind, and was commissioned in 1975. It has called Bremerton home since 2015.

The base in Bremerton said it could see a new aircraft carrier stationed there in 2029.

KIRO 7 Meteorologist Robert Van Winkle is taking a look back at the aircraft carrier’s history ahead of its departure and decommission:

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