As the U.S. wages war with Iran, the Navy has delayed the decommissioning of the USS Nimitz, a half-century old aircraft carrier.
The Nimitz was stationed in Coronado from 2001-2012 and deployed repeatedly to the Middle East during those years, including in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Department of War announced its delay in a contract issued on March 13, extending the oldest carrier’s service life to March 2027.
It was supposed to head to Virginia to be decommissioned in May, but that decision shifted when the Navy announced the carrier would go on deployment to Central America, South America and the Caribbean, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.
Another warship that was home ported in San Diego until last year, the USS Tripoli, will also be moving to the Middle East, carrying around 2,500 Marines stationed in Okinawa to help in the war, says the Associated Press.
The 844-foot Tripoli is an amphibious assault ship that has been called a mini aircraft carrier.
The Tripoli is about 250 feet smaller than the Nimitz-class carriers, but still carries helicopters and jets, including F-35 stealth fighter jets.
