SOON TO BE SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (updated)

(March reader photo by Rick Cocker)

Usually we don’t get much notice of an aircraft carrier coming or going past West Seattle’s west-facing shores, sailing to or from Naval Base Kitsap. But for those interested in seeing what might be the USS Nimitz‘s final south/westbound trip this way, here’s your advance notice! The photo above is from the Nimitz’s departure back in March. It’s been at sea ever since, with its eventful “likely final” deployment including the loss of two aircraft (recently recovered). As usual, it stopped in San Diego post-deployment, and then left earlier this week to head north. While Stars and Stripes reported that Nimitz was due home December 16 – next Tuesday – tracking shows an unlabeled “US Government vessel” entering Puget Sound after sailing up from San Diego, so that timeline might have changed, unless the carrier has a stop on the way here.

TUESDAY 12/16 UPDATE: After a few days at Indian Island, trackers show the Nimitz headed this way as of 9 am today.

RJY December 11, 2025 (2:23 pm)

really hope they publicly announce (in advance) her final departure so we can see her off.

bradley December 11, 2025 (2:26 pm)

GO NAVY!!!

John Sweetland December 11, 2025 (3:25 pm)

That unlabeled government ship is the USS Gridley stationed in Everett. It sailed out of San Diego at the same time as USS Nimitz. Nimitz is probably off the coast launching aircraft for Whidbey, just an educated guess.

WSB December 11, 2025 (5:15 pm)

Thanks!

B December 11, 2025 (8:51 pm)

I hope the navy will have a ceremony to commemorate the Nimitz’ final departure from Bremerton. Sounds like that departure may happen sometime in the spring. Both of the destroyer escorts that I served on 50 years ago acted as ‘plane guards’ for this carrier during our WestPac deployments . I would love to see her off.

Sara December 12, 2025 (9:11 am)

According to Marine Traffic, the Nimitz is currently (as of 9am 12/12/2025) at Indian Island.

WSB December 12, 2025 (10:32 am)

Thanks! I haven’t done the next leg of research yet but guessed that a stopover like that would be one reason for an expected 12/16 arrival at NB Kitsap.