Launched just over a year before the bicentennial of the United States in 1975, the USS Nimitz has been diagnosed with mechanical problems that will keep it sidelined for at least two months.
Aside from offering a hard look at America's aging naval force, the Nimitz's propulsion system problem will leave just one carrier in the Persian Gulf for the first time since December 2010.
With a projected lifespan of about 50 years the Nimitz is more than a decade away from possible retirement. This longevity is expected with regular maintenance and overhauls, like the one USS Nimitz underwent in Bremerton, Washington in 2011.
The carrier spent more than a year in port undergoing service and re-entered service in March 2012, but whether this breakdown is a concern after such an extensive overhaul has yet to be confirmed by the Navy.
In the meantime, it's the USS Eisenhower that will pick up the slack and cover the Nimitz's rotation in the Persian Gulf. The Ike is already in that part of the world with 5th Fleet in Bahrain, but will be returning to its home port of Norfolk for a flight deck resurfacing before heading back.
A changing schedule is part of Navy life and servicemembers and their families do their best to keep that in mind and go with the flow, but it's a disruption on everyone involved.
With the Nimitz making today's headlines we thought we'd take a look at the flag ship of Carrier Strike Group 11.
USS Nimitz is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 11 that included five other ships and four additional fighter squadrons on its last deployment
The carrier will be at sea for at least six months when deployed and supplies are constantly brought aboard
Carrier Air Wing 11 is attached to the Nimitz and its pilots and ground crew work alongside sailors
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