-The USS Nimitz, the U.S. Navy’s oldest and longest-serving aircraft carrier, started its final deployment, departing from Naval Base Kitsap on March 21. It is now headed for the Indo-Pacific after picking up Carrier Air Wing 17 in San Diego.-Over its 50-year service, the Nimitz played a key role in major military operations, including Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and was the first carrier to qualify the F-35C fighter for operations.-Although scheduled for decommissioning in 2026, recent maintenance and upgrades could lead to efforts to keep the carrier in service longer, which could increase the Navy’s fleet to 12 carriers.