Nimitz to remain in Bremerton

The Navy recently announced the aircraft carrier Nimitz (CVN-68) will remain stationed in Bremerton, WA, through fiscal year 2019, a decision that avoids the possibility of three homeport changes over a four-year period.

CVN-68 is the oldest aircraft carrier in service and arrived at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton for a 16-month scheduled maintenance period, according to a Dec. 22 service statement.

The ship was scheduled to move its homeport to Naval Station Everett, WA, in the summer of 2016, then return to Bremerton in FY-18 for another extended maintenance period and finally move back to Everett in 2019.

"Nimitz has completed three homeport changes in the past five years, including a move from San Diego to Bremerton in December 2010 for a year-long maintenance period, a homeport change from Bremerton to Everett in December 2011, and the move from Everett to Bremerton in January," the statement reads.