Article Posted on : - Jul 05, 2010

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo: US Navy.

SAN DIEGO (BNS): USS Nimitz (CVN 68) has successfully completed its sea trials at the western Pacific Ocean.

For the first time in three months Nimitz was departed from the Naval Base Coronado on June 29 and the sea trials were completed by July 2.

The trials were mainly done to test and evaluate Nimitz' main engines along with other equipment (elevators, doors, catapults and high-speed power turns) after conducting a 30-day Carrier Incremental Availability.

"For us, the main concern was shaking off the dust after a three month layoff making sure we had the same skill sets in place," Master Chief Quartermaster (SW/AW) Robert Barber, leading chief petty officer of Navigation, said in a US Navy news release.

USS Nimitz’ main engines and the aqueous foam forming film (AFFF) system on the flight deck and the hangar bay were also checked by the sailors. The objective of the trial was to ensure that all the AFFF sprinklers were working and covering their assigned areas.

Nimitz is the flagship for Carrier Strike Group 11. Nimitz returned home to San Diego on March 26 after completing a successful eight-month Western Pacific deployment.