The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is slated to move into the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility for a maritime exercise with partner nations in South America, the Navy announced on Monday.
The ship will operate alongside the Arleigh Burke class guided‑missile destroyer USS Gridley as part of a broader effort to test cooperation at sea.
“The Southern Seas 2026 deployment provides a unique opportunity to enhance interoperability and increase proficiency with our partner-nation forces across the maritime domain,” Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, said.
“Deployments like this demonstrate our unwavering commitment to ensuring a secure and stable Western Hemisphere.”
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Representatives from a wide range of South American nations will observe U.S. carrier operations up close. Countries listed include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Uruguay, and they will participate in hands‑on demonstrations as part of the exercise.
The plan also anticipates port visits to Brazil, Chile, Panama and Jamaica, underscoring a rhythm of engagement that extends beyond the ships’ activities at sea.
This deployment marks the 11th iteration of Southern Seas since the program began in 2007, reflecting a sustained emphasis on regional maritime cooperation. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group comprises the flagship Nimitz, the assigned elements of Carrier Strike Group 11, Commander Destroy Squadron 9, the embarked Carrier Air Wing 17 and the USS Gridley.
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Carrier Air Wing 17 brings a diverse mix of aircraft, including six squadrons flying F/A‑18E/F Super Hornets, EA‑18G Growlers, C‑2A Greyhounds and MH‑60R/S Sea Hawks, providing a spectrum of air power for both defense and mission support.
The Navy has extended the ship’s service life to March 2027, a decision that keeps the Nimitz on active duty beyond its original timeline. The carrier, commissioned in 1975, had been slated for return to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, with decommissioning planned for 2026.
This extension ensures the Nimitz can continue to contribute to U.S. carrier air power at a time when global maritime challenges remain complex and dynamic.
Earlier in 2025, the Nimitz completed a nine‑month deployment that included operations across the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleets. The voyage began in March 2025, with the carrier departing from Naval Base Kitsap in Washington.
The return from that extensive patrol underscored the fleet’s ongoing capacity to sustain long‑duration assignments in multiple theaters.
Since September 2025, U.S. Southern Command has directed lethal strikes against suspected drug‑carrying vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea as part of a broader counternarcotics effort. Officials say these operations are aimed at disrupting illicit networks while maintaining regional stability and security.
The emphasis on interagency cooperation and international partnerships remains a hallmark of these activities, reflecting a broader strategy to uphold maritime security across the Western Hemisphere.
The Nimitz’s current deployment also reinforces the role of carrier strike groups as instruments of deterrence and alliance building. In addition to the Nimitz itself, Gridley’s presence provides complementary surface warfare and protection for the carrier’s flight operations.
The exercise includes not only air and sea maneuvers but also a component of knowledge exchange in areas such as search and rescue, maritime domain awareness and advanced tactics at sea.
As the ships conduct passing exercises and collaborative operations, partner nations will observe carrier operations up close and participate in discussions designed to deepen interoperability. The multi‑national engagement is geared toward strengthening crisis response readiness and ensuring that allied forces can operate cohesively when common challenges arise.
he exercise also serves to demonstrate ongoing commitment to regional security and the freedom of navigation across the Western Hemisphere.
The Nimitz remains a symbol of sustained air‑power capacity, capable of projecting power and providing rapid response in complex environments. Its continued deployment to SOUTHCOM underscores the importance of naval presence in addressing evolving security threats and ensuring a stable maritime landscape for the Americas.
The exercises and exchanges that accompany this deployment are part of a broader effort to maintain readiness, support allied partners and uphold regional stability in a changing strategic context.
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