Saudi Arabia - July 10, 2025 U.S. Central Command Area – Two of the U.S. Navy’s most powerful warships, the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68), have carried out joint operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Video footage shows flight deck crewmembers aboard the USS Carl Vinson launching F-18 jets during nighttime flight operations. An official image released on July 5 captures both carriers maneuvering side by side in the Arabian Sea. The USS Carl Vinson, homeported in San Diego, California, is the third ship of the Nimitz class. Fully equipped with its air wing, the carrier operates more than 60 fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. USS Nimitz is the lead ship of its class and the oldest active aircraft carrier in the world. Commissioned in 1975, it is named after Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who commanded U.S. naval forces in the Pacific during World War II. Nimitz-class carriers displace over 100,000 tons and measure more than 1,090 feet in length. Powered by two Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors generating 260,000 shaft horsepower, these vessels can sustain speeds above 30 knots and operate for 20 to 25 years without refueling. Each carrier’s air wing typically includes about 64 aircraft, providing precision strike, air superiority, and reconnaissance capabilities rivaling most national air forces. Flight operations use the CATOBAR system, which supports heavier and more capable aircraft than the STOVL systems on smaller carriers. Launch and recovery employ steam catapults and arrestor wires, backed by advanced radar and landing aids for high-tempo sorties. Defense systems on board include Sea Sparrow and Rolling Airframe Missiles, Phalanx CIWS, and electronic countermeasures, ensuring layered protection against missile threats. Beyond combat roles, Nimitz-class carriers also serve diplomatic and humanitarian missions, offering disaster relief and deterrence as required.