Editing Nimitz-class aircraft carrier (section)

==Service history==
===1975–1989===
One of the first major operations in which the ships were involved was [[Operation Eagle Claw]] launched by ''Nimitz'' in 1980 after she had deployed to the Indian Ocean in response to the [[Iran hostage crisis|taking of hostages]] in the U.S. embassy in [[Tehran]].<ref name="Cold war ship"/> Although initially part of the [[U.S. Atlantic Fleet]],<ref name="NVR Dwight D. Eisenhower"/> ''Dwight D. Eisenhower'' relieved ''Nimitz'' in this operation after her service in the [[Mediterranean Sea]].<ref name="DANFS Nimitz"/> ''Nimitz'' conducted a [[Freedom of Navigation]] exercise alongside the aircraft carrier {{USS|Forrestal|CV-59|6}} in August 1981 in the [[Gulf of Sidra]], near [[Libya]]. During this exercise, two of the ship's F-14 Tomcats shot down two Libyan aircraft in what became known as the [[Gulf of Sidra incident (1981)|Gulf of Sidra incident]].<ref name="Love: History">{{cite book |title=History of the U.S.Navy: 1942–1991 v. 2 |last=Love |first=Robert William |year=1992 |publisher=Stackpole Books |location=[[Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania]] |isbn=978-0-8117-1863-9 |page=755}}</ref> Both ''Nimitz'' and ''Dwight D. Eisenhower'' conducted contingency operations off Lebanon in support of the [[Multinational Force in Lebanon]].<ref>[https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/about-us/leadership/hgram_pdfs/H-Gram_080-1.pdf navy.mil]</ref> ''Dwight D. Eisenhower'' operated off the coast of Lebanon during Operation Arid Farmer, the code-name for U.S. military assistance to [[Sudan]], [[Egypt]] and the government of [[Hissène Habré]] of [[Chad]] during the [[Chadian-Libyan conflict]].<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20071012220208/http://acig.org/artman/publish/article_357.shtml</ref> ''Nimitz'' operated off the coast of Lebanon after the hijacking of [[TWA Flight 847]].<ref>https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/06/17/Navy-official-says-rescue-mission-all-but-impossible/1953487828800/</ref> In 1987, ''Carl Vinson'' participated in the first U.S. carrier deployment in the [[Bering Sea]],<ref>" http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/c/cvn-70/1987.pdf 1987 Command History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125074330/http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/c/cvn-70/1987.pdf |date=25 November 2011}}" U.S. Navy report. 6 December 1988.</ref> and ''Nimitz'' provided security during the [[1988 Summer Olympics|1988 Olympic Games]] in [[Seoul]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Pen and Sword: A Journalist's Guide to Covering the Military |last=Offley |first=Ed |year=2001 |publisher=Marion Street Press |location=[[Portland, Oregon]] |isbn=978-0-9665176-4-4 |page=224}}</ref> Both ''Nimitz'' and ''Carl Vinson'' participated in [[Operation Earnest Will]], the escort of U.S. flagged [[Tanker (ship)|tankers]] in the [[Persian Gulf]].<ref>http://www.uscarriers.net/cvn70history.htm</ref><ref>[https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/USS-Nimitz-CVN-68/About-Us/History/ navy.mil]</ref>

===1990–2000===
[[File:RH-53 Sea Stallion in hangar of USS Nimitz (CVN-68) 1980.jpg|thumb|alt=Three helicopters in the hangar of Nimitz|USN [[Sikorsky CH-53|RH-53D Sea Stallion]] helicopters aboard ''Nimitz'' in early 1980, prior to execution of [[Operation Eagle Claw]]]]

The two most significant deployments the&nbsp;''Nimitz'' class was involved in during the 1990s were the&nbsp;[[Gulf War]]&nbsp;and its aftermath and [[Operation Southern Watch]] in southern Iraq. All active vessels were engaged in both of these to some extent, with Operation Southern Watch continuing until 2003.<ref>Lambeth 2005, p. 6</ref> Most carriers in operation in [[Operation Desert Shield (Gulf War)|Operation Desert Shield]] and [[Operation Desert Storm]] played supporting roles, with only ''Theodore Roosevelt'' playing an active part in combat operations.<ref name="Tucker">{{cite book |last= |first= |url=https://archive.org/details/the-encyclopedia-of-middle-east-wars-the-united-states-in-the-persian-gulf-afgha/ |title=The Encyclopedia of Middle East Wars: The United States in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2010 |isbn=9781851099474 |editor-last=Tucker |editor-first=Spencer |location=Santa Barbara, California |pages=355, 361, 366–367}}</ref>

Throughout the 1990s and more recently, ''Nimitz''-class carriers have been deployed as part of humanitarian missions. While deployed in the Gulf War, ''Abraham Lincoln'' was diverted to the Pacific Ocean to participate alongside 22 other ships in [[Operation Fiery Vigil]], evacuating civilians following the eruption of [[Mount Pinatubo]] on [[Luzon Island]] in the Philippines. In October 1993, ''Abraham Lincoln'' deployed to [[Somalia]] to assist UN humanitarian operations there, spending four weeks flying patrols around [[Mogadishu]] while supporting U.S. troops during [[Operation Restore Hope]]. The same ship also participated in [[Operation Vigilant Sentinel]] in the [[Persian Gulf]] in 1995.<ref name="DANFS Abraham Lincoln"/>

''Dwight D. Eisenhower'' participated in [[Operation Uphold Democracy]], the US effort to restore the democratically elected government of [[Haiti]], stationing the [[10th Mountain Division]] on board.<ref>[https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2258528/uss-dwight-d-eisenhower-celebrates-39-years-of-excellence/ navy.mil]</ref>

''Theodore Roosevelt'' flew patrols in support of the [[Kurd]]s over northern Iraq as part of [[Operation Provide Comfort]] in 1991. In 1995, ''Theodore Roosevelt'' participated in [[Operation Deliberate Force]] participating alongside other [[NATO]] air forces. In 1996, ''George Washington'' played a peacekeeping role in [[Operation Decisive Endeavor]] in Bosnia and Herzegovina.<ref>{{cite book |title=The U.S. Intelligence Community |last=Richelson |first=Jeffrey |year=1999 |publisher=[[Perseus Books Group]] |location=[[Boulder, Colorado]] |isbn=978-0-8133-6893-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/usintelligenceco0000rich_s8s3/page/196 196] |url=https://archive.org/details/usintelligenceco0000rich_s8s3/page/196}}</ref> In 1998, ''Carl Vinson'' participated in [[1998 bombing of Iraq|Operation Desert Fox]]. In 1999, ''Theodore Roosevelt'' was called to the [[Ionian Sea]] to support [[Operation Allied Force]] alongside other NATO militaries.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp99/rp99-048.pdf |title=Kosovo: Operation "Allied Force" |date=29 April 1999 |publisher=[[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] |page=16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061121012316/http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp99/rp99-048.pdf |archive-date=21 November 2006 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===2001–present===
[[File:US Navy 030331-N-3235P-506 USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) prepares to engage in flight operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.jpg|thumb|''Harry S. Truman'' engaging in flight operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom]]
''Harry S. Truman''{{'}}s maiden deployment was in November 2000. The carrier's air wing flew 869 combat sorties in support of Operation Southern Watch, including a strike on Iraqi air defense sites on 16 February 2001, in response to Iraqi [[surface-to-air missile]] fire against United Nations coalition forces.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/cvn75/Pages/About%20Us.aspx |title=History of the Ship |publisher=USS Harry S. Truman, U.S. Navy |access-date=16 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210155648/http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/cvn75/Pages/About%20Us.aspx |archive-date=10 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

After the [[September 11 attacks]], ''Carl Vinson'' and ''Theodore Roosevelt'' were among the first warships to participate in [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] in Afghanistan. ''Carl Vinson'' sailed towards the Persian Gulf intending to support Operation Southern Watch in July 2001. This changed in response to the attacks, and the ship changed course to travel towards the North Arabian Sea, where she launched the first airstrikes in support of the operation on 7 October 2001.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/trade.center/deployment.map/vinson.html |title=USS Carl Vinson |publisher=CNN |access-date=2 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024205208/http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/trade.center/deployment.map/vinson.html |archive-date=24 October 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the attacks, ''John C. Stennis'' and ''George Washington'' participated in [[Operation Noble Eagle]], carrying out homeland security operations off the [[West Coast of the United States]]. All active ships have been involved in Iraq and Afghanistan since that time. This included the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion]] in 2003, as well as providing subsequent support for [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] since then.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/policy/vision/vis04/vpp04-appxa.pdf |title=Appendix A: Navy-Marine Corps: Crisis Response and Combat Actions |publisher=U.S. Navy |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808061732/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/policy/vision/vis04/vpp04-appxa.pdf |archive-date=8 August 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The carriers have also provided aid after natural disasters. In 2005, ''Abraham Lincoln'' supported [[Operation Unified Assistance]] in Indonesia after the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|December 2004 tsunami]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defense.gov/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=1653 |title=DoD Briefing on Operation Unified Assistance, the Post-Tsunami Relief Effort |date=14 January 2005 |publisher=US Department of Defense |access-date=30 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529165702/http://www.defense.gov/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=1653 |archive-date=29 May 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and ''Harry S. Truman'' provided aid after [[Hurricane Katrina]] later in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Orleans Gets More Troops to Stop Katrina Looting |first=Heather |last=Burke |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.]] |date=1 September 2005 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=axLmRQqK.K0U&refer=us |access-date=10 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060410104308/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=axLmRQqK.K0U&refer=us |archive-date=10 April 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:US Navy 050106-N-4336M-294 Crew members aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) fill jugs with purified water from a Potable Water Manifold.jpg|thumb|upright|Crew of ''Abraham Lincoln'' filling water containers while deployed to assist humanitarian efforts in the aftermath of 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami]]
The ''Ronald Reagan'' Carrier Strike Group performed humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in the Philippines in June 2008 after [[Typhoon Fengshen (2008)|Typhoon Fengshen]], which killed hundreds from the central island regions and the main island of [[Luzon]].<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. ship coming to help retrieve victims of sea tragedy |publisher=[[GMA News]] |date=25 June 2008 |url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/103093/US-ship-coming-to-help-retrieve-victims-of-sea-tragedy |access-date=26 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925002811/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/103093/news/nation/us-ship-coming-to-help-retrieve-victims-of-sea-tragedy |archive-date=25 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2010, ''Carl Vinson'' operated off [[Haiti]], providing aid and drinking water to [[2010 Haiti earthquake|earthquake]] survivors as part of the U.S.-led [[Operation Unified Response]], alongside other major warships and [[hospital ship]] {{USNS|Comfort|T-AH-20|2}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/01/13/haiti.us.coast.guard/index.html |title=First U.S. military aid reaches quake-stricken Haiti |author=Mike Mount and Larry Shaughnessy |date=13 January 2010 |publisher=CNN |access-date=9 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218142750/http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/01/13/haiti.us.coast.guard/index.html |archive-date=18 February 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The carriers, ''George H.W. Bush'', ''Harry S. Truman'', ''Dwight D. Eisenhower'', ''Theodore Roosevelt'', and ''Abraham Lincoln'' participated in [[Operation Inherent Resolve]].<ref>https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-ARTICLES/News-Article-View/Article/1207467/george-h-w-bush-csg-conducts-strikes-from-mediterranean/</ref><ref>https://www.inherentresolve.mil/NEWSROOM/Article/837349/eisenhower-carrier-strike-group-enters-us-fifth-fleet/</ref><ref>[https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/Organization/Aircraft-Carriers/USS-Harry-S-Truman-CVN-75/Command-History/ navy.mil]</ref><ref>[https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2250569/theodore-roosevelt-supports-oir-and-ofs-in-us-5th-fleet/ navy.mil]</ref><ref>[https://www.cusnc.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/2025128/abraham-lincoln-carrier-strike-group-supports-operation-inherent-resolve/ navy.mil]</ref>

===Refueling Complex Overhaul===
{{Main|Refueling and Overhaul}}
[[File:USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) dry dock 1990.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Abraham Lincoln in drydock. Equipment and vehicles are on deck for the overhaul|''Abraham Lincoln'' in dry dock, 1990]]
In order to refuel their nuclear power plants, the carriers each undergo a [[Refueling and Overhaul]] (RCOH) once in their service lives. This is also the most substantial overhaul the ships undergo while in service and involves bringing the vessels' equipment up to the standards of the newest ships. The ship is placed in a dry dock, and essential maintenance is carried out, including painting the hull below the waterline and replacing electrical and mechanical components such as valves. Because of the large time periods between the ships' constructions, the armament and designs of the newer ships are more modern than those of the older ships. In RCOH, the older ships are refitted to the standards of the newer ships, which can include upgrades to the flight deck, aircraft catapults, combat systems, and radar systems; precise details can vary significantly between the ships. The improvements normally take around four years to complete. The RCOH for USS ''Theodore Roosevelt'' took four years to complete (2009–2013) and cost about $2.6&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenselink.mil/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=4103 |title=Contracts: Navy |date=26 August 2009 |publisher=DefenseLink |access-date=26 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901115208/http://www.defenselink.mil/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=4103 |archive-date=1 September 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/cvn-70-carl-vinsons-midlife-rcoh-refueling-maintenance-01554/ |title=CVN 70 Carl Vinson's Mid-Life RCOH Refueling & Maintenance |date=14 July 2009 |publisher=Defense Industry Daily |access-date=31 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031002648/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/cvn-70-carl-vinsons-midlife-rcoh-refueling-maintenance-01554/ |archive-date=31 October 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Refueling and Complex Overhaul of the USS "Nimitz" (CVN 68): Lessons for the Future |last1=Schank |first1=John |last2=Arena |first2=Mark |last3=Rushworth |first3=Denis |last4=Birkler |first4=John |last5=Chiesa |first5=James |year=2003 |publisher=RAND Corporation |location=[[Santa Monica, California]] |isbn=978-0-8330-3288-1 |pages=xiii–xviii}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2015/01/12/upgraded-carrier-roosevelt-starts-pre-deployment-exercises|title=Upgraded Carrier Roosevelt Starts Pre-Deployment Exercises|date=2015-01-12|website=USNI News|access-date=2016-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128175747/https://news.usni.org/2015/01/12/upgraded-carrier-roosevelt-starts-pre-deployment-exercises|archive-date=28 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Planned Incremental Availability is a similar procedure, although it is less substantial and does not involve refueling the nuclear power plants.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=12076 |title=Nimitz Begins Planned Incremental Availability |date=1 March 2004 |publisher=U.S. Navy |access-date=30 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629212432/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=12076 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Symbolic and diplomatic roles===
[[File:KD Lekiu(FFG30) and KD Jebat(FFG29) with USS George Washington (CVN 73).jpeg|thumb|''George Washington'' underway with the [[Royal Malaysian Navy]] {{sclass|Lekiu|frigate|2}}s KD ''Jebat'' and KD ''Lekiu'' during a transit of the [[Andaman Sea]]]]

Because of their status as the largest warships in the U.S. Navy, the deployment of an aircraft carrier can fulfill a symbolic role, not just as a deterrent to an enemy but often as a diplomatic tool in strengthening relations with allies and potential allies. The latter of these functions can occur either as a single visit to a country, in which senior naval officers are allowed to observe the operation of the carrier and interact with its senior officers,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=13709 |title=Reagan Sailors Visit Rio |date=June 2004 |publisher=U.S. Navy |access-date=9 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604180015/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=13709 |archive-date=4 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> or as part of an international task force. This can be in combat operations, such as the [[NATO bombing of Yugoslavia]] in 1999,<ref>{{cite book |title=Conflict in the Balkans, 1991–2000 |last=Ripley |first=Tim |year=2001 |publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]] |location=[[Oxford]], United Kingdom |isbn=978-1-84176-290-6 |page=92}}</ref> or training deployments, such as [[Exercise RIMPAC]]. In addition, carriers have participated in international [[Maritime security operations]], combating [[piracy]] in the Persian Gulf and off the coast of Somalia.<ref name="Navy.mil CVN"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48373 |title=USS Nimitz Launches First Sorties, Support Coalition Troops in Afghanistan |date=21 September 2009 |publisher=U.S. Navy |access-date=30 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923163907/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48373 |archive-date=23 September 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Accidents and incidents===
On 26 May 1981, an [[Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler|EA-6B Prowler]] crashed on the flight deck of ''Nimitz'', killing 14 crewmen and injuring 45 others.<ref name="Cold war ship">{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalcoldwarexhibition.org/explore/ship.cfm?ship=Nimitz%20Class |title=Cold War Ship – Nimitz class |year=2008 |publisher=[[Royal Air Force Museum London]] |access-date=21 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727112705/http://www.nationalcoldwarexhibition.org/explore/ship.cfm?ship=Nimitz%20Class |archive-date=27 July 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="time">{{cite magazine | last = Anderson | first = Kurt | author2 = Beaty, Jonathan | title = Night of Flaming Terror | magazine = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date = 8 June 1981 | url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,922544-1,00.html | access-date = 2 October 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090201133400/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,922544-1,00.html | archive-date = 1 February 2009 | url-status = dead}}</ref> Forensic testing of the personnel involved showed that several tested positive for marijuana. While this was not found to have directly caused the crash, the investigation's findings prompted the introduction of mandatory drug testing of all service personnel.<ref>{{cite book |title=Drug Testing: Issues and Options |last1=Coombs |first1=Robert |last2=West |first2=Louis |year=1991 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=Oxford, United Kingdom |isbn=978-0-19-505414-9 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/drugtestingissue00coom/page/3 3–21] |url=https://archive.org/details/drugtestingissue00coom/page/3 |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Human Instability and Nuclear Weapons |first=Herbert |last=Abrams |newspaper= [[Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists]] |date=January 1987 |page=34}}</ref>

Pilots have been able to eject safely in several cases of ditched aircraft. However, fatal aircraft crashes have occurred; in 1994, Lieutenant [[Kara Hultgreen]], the first female F-14 Tomcat pilot, was killed while attempting to land on board ''Abraham Lincoln'' during a training exercise.<ref name="DANFS Abraham Lincoln"/>

Fires have also caused damage to the ships; in May 2008, while rotating through to her new homeport at [[United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka|Yokosuka Naval Base]] in [[Yokosuka, Japan]], ''George Washington'' suffered a fire that cost $70&nbsp;million in repairs, injured 37 sailors and led to the ship undergoing three months of repairs at San Diego; this led to its having to miss the 2008 [[RIMPAC]] exercises and delayed the final withdrawal from service of {{USS|Kitty Hawk|CV-63|6}}. The fire was caused by unauthorized smoking near improperly stored flammable refrigerant compressor oil.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2008/07/navy-relieves-top-officers-carrier-washington-after-fire |title=Two top Navy officers fired over $70 million carrier blaze |author=Dale Eisman |date=30 July 2008 |publisher=The Virginian-Pilot |access-date=19 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826204135/http://hamptonroads.com/2008/07/navy-relieves-top-officers-carrier-washington-after-fire |archive-date=26 August 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Crew Faulted in Blaze on Carrier |first=Steve |last=Liewer |newspaper=[[San Diego Union-Tribune]] |date=7 October 2008 |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20081007/news_1m7carrier.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125200211/http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20081007/news_1m7carrier.html |archive-date=25 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/accidents.htm |title=Casualties: U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Personnel Killed and Injured in Selected Accidents and Other Incidents Not Directly the Result of Enemy Action |publisher=[[Naval Historical Center]] |access-date=13 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724061707/http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/accidents.htm |archive-date=24 July 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>