Oldest Active Navy Aircraft Carrier To Make Final Overseas Port Call

BusinessAerospace & DefenseOldest Active Navy Aircraft Carrier To Make Final Overseas Port CallByPeter Suciu,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Peter Suciu covers trends in the world of aerospace and defense.Follow AuthorMay 30, 2026, 12:45pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.USS Nimitz, one of the largest warships in the world, anchored in Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, earlier this month. (Photo by Fabio Teixeira/Anadolu via Getty Images)Anadolu via Getty ImagesThe USS Nimitz (CVN-68) will arrive in the Port of Kingston, Jamaica, on Monday and then spend five days anchored in the Caribbean island’s capital as part of its Southern Seas 2026 maritime cooperation deployment. The oldest active-duty nuclear-powered supercarrier departed from Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Wash., in March as part of its home port shift to Naval Station Norfolk, Va.CVN-68, which was commissioned in May 1975, completed its final overseas deployment last December, and is now scheduled to be decommissioned next March, after nearly 52 years in service.While underway and operating in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, the USS Nimitz has visited multiple Latin American nations and taken part in joint maritime exercises with U.S. partners in the region. Jamaica is likely to be the final foreign port of call on what has been a “multinational goodwill” tour for the carrier, the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica confirmed.“The visit of a U.S. aircraft carrier to Jamaica marks an important milestone in the longstanding partnership between our countries,” said Chargé d’Affaires Scott Renner.“Beyond strengthening maritime cooperation and regional security, this visit creates opportunities for meaningful people-to-people connections and economic benefits for local communities,” Renner added. “We are proud to welcome these sailors to Jamaica and to c...