Admiral: Impact of Nimitz extension ‘profound’ - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Admiral: Impact of Nimitz extension ‘profound’

The admiral in charge of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group acknowledged Monday that the decision to extend the deployment of his group to eight months will have a “profound impact” on sailors and families, according to a news release.

On Friday, the Navy announced that Nimitz, which deployed from San Diego on July 31, will be extended by two months, and that the Harry S. Truman strike group’s planned deployment next year is also expected to be gone almost eight months. Both extensions were attributed to delays in the carrier Enterprise’s overhaul.

“We deploy with a keen awareness that our schedule is always subject to change as naval forces are inherently flexible,” said Rear Adm. John Miller, Nimitz strike group commander. “While the Navy’s final decision is the best solution of many options, our leadership recognizes that adjusting carrier deployment schedules has a profound impact on our personnel and our families.”

The extension of Nimitz, which is in the Bay of Bengal, also affects the five other ships in its strike group.

Enterprise began its final overhaul in April 2008 and was supposed to be complete by August. It’s now expected to be out of the shipyard by December.

The Nimitz strike group is comprised of Carrier Air Wing 11, the destroyers Pinckney and Sampson, cruiser Chosin, frigate Rentz and combat support ship Bridge. Truman is based in Norfolk, Va.

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What do you think of the Nimitz’s and Truman’s extension? Write reporter Andrew Scutro.