USS Nimitz Visits Panama on Grand Farewell Tour

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The USS Nimitz—on its way to Norfolk, Virginia, for eventual decommissioning—made the first aircraft carrier port visit to Panama in 50 years.

The United States Navy’s oldest operational nuclear-powered supercarrier paid a port visit to Panama on Saturday, marking the first time a US Navy aircraft carrier visited the small Central American nation in over five decades.

Like the other carriers of the Nimitz and Ford classes, USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is too large to transit the Panama Canal. Instead, it is taking the long, and quite slow, way around South America on what is almost certain to be its final extended voyage.

The supercarrier, which had been scheduled to be decommissioned in Norfolk, Virginia, in the coming weeks, was given a brief reprieve and will remain in service until March 2027, when the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) is projected to enter service. By US law, the US Navy must retain 11 active nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. However, remaining in service does not mean actively participating in naval operations, and the Nimitz is likely to spend most of its additional lease on life in port in Virginia—meaning that its current voyage is still likely to be its last.

Images of USS Nimitz and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG-101) visiting the Port of Amador on the Pacific Ocean circulated on social media over the weekend.

“As many as 3,500 crew members per day will go ashore, generating positive economic impact—in restaurants, stores, and tourist sites—for many local businesses while providing these crew members with a unique opportunity to experience Panama,” the US Embassy in Panama wrote in a statement.

Crewmembers also took part in “community engagement, including sports activities with local youth.”

The Nimitz Is on a Farewell Tour

CVN-68 completed her final deployment and returned to her now-former homeport of Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, in December. The carrier and destroyer departed the base on March 7, 2026, and a 12,400-nautical-mile voyage to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, is expected to take 2 to 3 weeks.

The US Navy is using this transfer journey from Bremerton to Norfolk as a goodwill and farewell tour for the world’s oldest operational nuclear-powered flattop.

USS Nimitz will deploy to the US Southern Command area of responsibility as part of US Naval Forces Southern Command/US 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2026 deployment, the US Navy announced last week.

During the underway, CVN-68 will take part in exercises or exchanges with the maritime forces of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Uruguay. In addition, plans call for the Nimitz to make port calls in Brazil, Chile, and Jamaica, with the visit to Panama completed.

“The Southern Seas 2026 deployment provides a unique opportunity to enhance interoperability and increase proficiency with our partner-nation forces across the maritime domain,” said Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander, US Naval Forces Southern Command/US 4th Fleet. “Deployments like this demonstrate our unwavering commitment to ensuring a secure and stable Western Hemisphere. This mission is a shining example of our dedication to strengthening maritime partnerships, building trust, and working together to counter shared threats.”

Why the US Navy Delayed the Nimitz’ End

Although the Pentagon initially planned for CVN-68 to leave service at the same time the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) entered it, that timeline changed last summer after the delivery of the Kennedy was pushed back to March 2027. The revised timeline would have left the US Navy with only 10 aircraft carriers for roughly a year—a state of affairs that would have been technically illegal under US military law.

It is possible USS Nimitz will be used in training drills in the coming year, and could even head to sea, but a future deployment isn’t expected.

About the Author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu has contributed to dozens of newspapers, magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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