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Questions & Help Mar 14, 2026 at 8:03 PM

Aircraft carrier Nimitz gets service life extension, won’t be decommissioned until 2027

Posted by Bobcats_Forever

https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/aircraft-carrier-nimitz-gets-service-life-extension-wont-be-decommissioned-until-2027/
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OneForAllOfHumanity Mar 14, 2026 +1658
Gee, I wonder if something happened to make the US think they might need more carriers in the near term...
1658
Boomshtick414 Mar 14, 2026 +744
It was going to be extended anyway. By law 11 carriers have to be in rotation. The law is intended for roughly 1/3 of the fleet to be deployed, 1/3 to be in transit or preparing for deployment, and 1/3 to be undergoing service. Since the delivery of the USS John F. Kennedy is behind schedule, the law basically prevents the Nimitz from being pulled out of rotation.
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TwoAmps Mar 14, 2026 +170
It returned from a nine month deployment in December, and was being prepared for inactivation until now(ish). It was “rode hard and put up wet”. It’s not like the Navy was going to spend a lot of effort to do the deferred maintenance and fix all the things that are broken on a 48 year old ship that was headed for decommissioning. There’s an awful lot of work to get the ship and the crew and an air wing ready for another deployment, which is normally an 18 month process, and that’s starting with a ship that’s combat ready, which the Nimitz technically isn’t. It’s not like it’s going to head straight for the gulf.
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wyvernx02 Mar 15, 2026 +29
It seems more like she is just going to be kept in Norfolk as a backup until the JFK is ready in case something happens to one of the other carriers, as opposed to going straight into decommissioning.
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TwoAmps Mar 15, 2026 +20
Agree. Nothing else makes sense. Keep it fully crewed longer, fix a bit, train a bit, local ops, carrier quals, etc.
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[deleted] Mar 14, 2026 +54
[deleted]
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THEHYPERBOLOID Mar 14, 2026 +34
And a laundry room that doesn’t spontaneously combust?
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__mud__ Mar 14, 2026 +20
And a steering wheel that doesn't fly off while you're driving?
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THEHYPERBOLOID Mar 14, 2026 +20
Now you’re just asking for too much
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stang2184699 Mar 15, 2026 +4
What about a front that doesn’t fall off?
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GeekOfWar Mar 16, 2026 +2
Well... the front's not supposed to fall off. That's not very typical.
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thedaveness Mar 14, 2026 +12
I’ve been deployed on many navy ships, they all do that lol.
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THEHYPERBOLOID Mar 14, 2026 +14
Flammable dust in an enclosed environment is rather frickin’ dangerous, so I’m not really surprised. I just couldn’t resist the c**** shot. 
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PurpleSailor Mar 15, 2026 +2
Working catapult system?
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TwoAmps Mar 15, 2026 +7
Oh, and a big shout out to whoever at 3rd fleet or wherever who scheduled the Nimitz for 0700 underway. From San Diego. On a Saturday.
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someguy7710 Mar 14, 2026 +4
If the reactors still have life in them send it... but seriously I wish we didn't have to
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Yuukiko_ Mar 15, 2026 +6
> It’s not like it’s going to head straight for the gulf. Under the current leadership? They'll just call it a woke policy
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DoomguyFemboi Mar 15, 2026 +4
Seriously this though. They're going to do a lot of this "it's fine, you're supposed to be soldiers! Do you need pampering?" as an excuse to push things harder than they should be pushed. A bunch of rich pampered arseholes putting the young and poor in the line of fire for their own goals. Tale as old as time, the excuses just change.
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msbxii Mar 15, 2026 +2
You may be underestimating how much stuff the leadership is willing to look past in order to make their next fitrep bullet. 
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cgvet9702 Mar 14, 2026 +29
I think you mean the USS Donald J. Trump- John F. Kennedy.
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OneToothMcGee Mar 14, 2026 +274
Saying laws matter in the current United States is a stretch of the imagination.
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RespectedPath Mar 14, 2026 +158
This law has the full support of Raytheon, Lockheed, Boeing, L3 Harris, and every other MIC contractor.
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malthar76 Mar 14, 2026 +46
Those matter, but did anyone ask Netanyahu?
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r0ndy Mar 14, 2026 +7
New rumor is that he’s dead, almost a week now? Saw the first post about it 4-5 days ago Edit: rumor only. Like Putin was rumored ill during Ukraine war
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cerberus698 Mar 14, 2026 +27
Oh my god, who's in charge at the white house now?!?!?
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acur1231 Mar 15, 2026 +3
I think that's as unlikely as the younger Khameni being secretly dead. More likely that both countries are keeping their leaders safely out of the action while the other is still actively striking them.
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Aazadan Mar 14, 2026 +2
Not familiar with that rumor, what's the details behind the cause, what happened, etc?
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r0ndy Mar 14, 2026 +4
They are in the middle of war and he hasn’t been seen is all. I’d take this with a grain of salt. But it is an interesting thought exercise
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Arno_Dorian_11 Mar 14, 2026 +4
He just did a press conference tho? Would love for it to be true tho
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r0ndy Mar 14, 2026
Dang! Yeah, that wasn’t in my bingo cards for him or Trump to pass at this time. Just a rumor I guess.
0
BlazerBeav Mar 14, 2026 +1
It’s a bad rumor.
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r0ndy Mar 14, 2026 +5
I mean, I dunno what makes it bad? It’s just a rumor. You can take the news as good or bad.
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NoSirPineapple Mar 15, 2026 -1
Oh quit being a t***, Israel is a great ally
-1
Sharkbait_ooohaha Mar 14, 2026 +16
> Saying laws matter in the current United States is a stretch of the imagination. Laws still matter in the US, saying otherwise gives legitimacy to breaking the law. If laws didn’t matter, Abrego Garcia would still be in El Salvador and the Tariffs would still be in place.
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Adventurous_Cup_5258 Mar 15, 2026 -2
Tariffs are still in place just rebranded
-2
Sharkbait_ooohaha Mar 15, 2026 +7
Exactly, they are no longer implemented via the former law because that was ruled illegal, so they are now implemented via another law and thus they are different than before. Canada’s tariffs went from 35% to 10%, for example. The rule of law is still under effect. You just don’t like the laws and the process which laws in the US are adjudicated which is fair.
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Adventurous_Cup_5258 Mar 15, 2026 -4
I never said it was and the courts haven’t ruled on this legally questionable maneuver. Don’t you dare put words on my mouth buddy. DONT YOU EVER
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metametapraxis Mar 15, 2026 +4
Sorry, I actually agree with you, but I had to read what you wrote in the voice of Will Smith.
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SkinnyBill93 Mar 14, 2026 +12
Laws that benefit the MIC are set in stone.
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sylva748 Mar 14, 2026 +5
This law benefits the arms manufacturers. They actually matter
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Jormungandr4321 Mar 14, 2026 +8
This is a lax both the democrats and republicans can get behind.
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lou_sassoles Mar 14, 2026 +23
How long until they announce a name change for the USS John F Kennedy?
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michoudi Mar 14, 2026 +17
USS Big Daddy Trump. Fake gold trim everywhere
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[deleted] Mar 14, 2026 +6
[deleted]
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songsofsilk Mar 15, 2026 +4
He did indeed. An exceptionally terrible class of battleships to be sure. Whoever designed them was a child playing with LEGOs. “I want lasers… oh and railguns… and all the missiles!” On conventionally powered ships… right.
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lagadu Mar 16, 2026 +1
... what? Battleships have no place in contemporary naval doctrine. Not even the lighter and more agile battlecruisers do in a world where cruisers and aircraft carriers exist.
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songsofsilk Mar 16, 2026 +1
Agreed, but honestly it’s more of a heavy guided-missile vessel than what we imagine from the term “battleship”. Sort of similar to Russia’s Kirov class, I think, but obviously with much improved weaponry. However unlike the Kirov this Trump class nonsense would be conventionally powered and non-nuclear, and there is no way the entire concept of these ships would function on conventional power. Not if they really want railguns. No doubt either, completely agree, aircraft carriers are still the centerpiece of a fleet. Nothing else can truly match the level of flexibility, range, and damage a carrier can inflict. Still need lighter ships to pin down submarines, perform limited strikes or whatnot, but as you say, that is not the intended role for this Trump class. Regardless why does this theoretical class even exist? I think just for the name. Everyone loves “battleships”, and well Trump wants his name in gold on everything. Perhaps corruption too. If news of that ever comes out I would not be surprised. Entire design just seems slapdash.
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Skrivus Mar 14, 2026 +8
That's a possibility but they can get waivers from congress for the 11 carrier requirement. In an absolute pinch, they could designate the amphibious assault ships as Carriers since they have F-35s on them.
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DBHT14 Mar 14, 2026 +8
There is also a long period of time, months or even a year, where a ship is back from its last deployment but not technically decommissioned yet. As they log everything, take parts off to be used again, etc.
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rfg8071 Mar 14, 2026 +7
I mean, most amphibs are larger and more capable in their own right than the regular carriers of most countries. The newest models are quite impressive too.
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grain_delay Mar 14, 2026 +4
What would theoretically happen if there weren’t though? Does someone get charged with a crime?
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Skwonkie_ Mar 15, 2026 +2
Law doesn’t matter to the current administration
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BlueFalcon89 Mar 15, 2026 +1
This just means the JFK is still fucked up big time. Commissioned in 2019 and still not serviceable. Only cost a few billion. wtf.
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Algaean Mar 14, 2026 +1
"it's the law" isn't exactly the ironclad defense it used to be "
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eaglecnt Mar 15, 2026 +3
Yeah ok but if you say 11 is the law then going up to 12 means somebody can sink one. So, simply keeping this number at 11 means sinking one is against the law. It’s a really clever way to stop your ships from becoming submarines.
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Algaean Mar 15, 2026 +1
Ooh, sneaky! I like it!
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strider_to Mar 14, 2026 +1
Oh you guys follow laws now 🤣
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TheseusOPL Mar 15, 2026 +1
11. Divided into thirds. This is the most government thing ever.
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AppleTree98 Mar 15, 2026
Look at this guy citing laws. Those don't apply anymore. Haven't you been reading the news for the last two years? All laws have been put on hold while somebody does their ego show
0
MickeyHoldem Mar 14, 2026 -12
A complete unintentional snapshot of the American Education System... >The law is intended for roughly 1/3 of the fleet to be deployed, 1/3 to be in transit or preparing for deployment, and 1/3 to be undergoing service. 11?? You have 11??
-12
Seanbox59 Mar 14, 2026 +12
I guess your comment is even more proof of lacking education. Since they said roughly, that implies not exact.
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Less-Jellyfish5385 Mar 14, 2026 +16
Sounds like its gonna get decommissioned the old fashioned way
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jimtow28 Mar 14, 2026 +3
It's sounding more and more like a long term need.
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FEMA_Camp_Survivor Mar 14, 2026 +110
It’s like an IRL Battlestar Galactica
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MagnificentJake Mar 14, 2026 +60
I served on it back in 03 - 06, one deployment we went on there was a guy onboard selling "Battlestar Nimitz" patches. 
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Time_News_8452 Mar 14, 2026 +283
trump: If the choice is between prison for me and WW3, then WW3 it is.
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tsegelke Mar 14, 2026 +23
Trump saw what Russians were fighting with and figured we can extend everything in the military by 40+ years and he'll pocket the savings.
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metametapraxis Mar 15, 2026 +3
Tbh, a Nimitz class probably could do another 40 years if you threw enough money at it. It just isn't economic.
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nw342 Mar 14, 2026 +47
While I agree with that statement, luckily this has nothing to do with trump. A new aircraft carrier is delayed, so we're keeping this one until a new one is delivered
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smurfsundermybed Mar 14, 2026 +4
The fact that we currently have 3 aircraft carriers deployed is something. It's a very big something. That doesn't just happen.
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nw342 Mar 14, 2026 +17
Yeah, but we're not talking about deployed carriers. We're talking about a decommissioned carrier and a carrier being built
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smurfsundermybed Mar 14, 2026 -12
Something tells me that it's making a u turn from Norfolk to the strait.
-12
iamnotafbiagnt Mar 15, 2026 +3
\*insert Patrick drooling gif\*
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sylva748 Mar 14, 2026 +19
>thar doesnt just happen. The US has 11 carriers in service at all times and 3 to 4 are deployed at all times to project control over the ocean. 3 are in repairs and 3 are in transit either to relieve one of the carriers deployed or on the way back to the dry docks to be worked on by engineers. Edit: nothing here has to do with the Iran War. This is jow the US Navy has managed its fleets since the Carrier replaced the Destroyer as their flagships after WW2.
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Coakis Mar 14, 2026 +12
You mean Battleship. Destroyers were typically the smallest or second smallest warship in any given fleet.
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sylva748 Mar 14, 2026 +6
Yea those. Thank you. I was thinking large cannons and cannons destroy. Since I could visualize the ship class but couldnt remember the name
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smurfsundermybed Mar 14, 2026 -4
3 in the water on patrol is one thing, but 3 positioned is something different. That is pointing a very big gun at someone.
-4
laptopAccount2 Mar 15, 2026 +2
We had 5 going at one point last year. And the CV fleet topped out at 80% availability for a little while. The US military is something else...
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Lucius-Halthier Mar 14, 2026 +3
Well there is always the French option.
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NullusEgo Mar 15, 2026 -1
This is a real consideration and as shitty of a character flaw as that is, we are all at fault for not predicting this. Furthermore, the Democrats and the Justice department should have never pursued legal charges against someone with such a high possibility of being reelected president without a guarantee of the senate revoking candidacy (which they didn't have). This a strategic blunder on the highest level as far as real politik is concerned.
-1
smurfsundermybed Mar 14, 2026 +55
There's probably unlimited overtime offered in the shipyards working on the ones that are in dock being repaired/refitted.
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Alantsu Mar 14, 2026 +40
In the yard they say “the checkbook is open”.
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smurfsundermybed Mar 14, 2026 +3
Now the question becomes do we have enough to competently crew a 4th carrier? Or a 5th? Please keep in mind that I said competently. The bar isn't very high.
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Alantsu Mar 14, 2026 +10
You mean those “critically understaffed positions “ that got fired under anti-dei policies were probably the most competent on the ship.
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exitpursuedbybear Mar 14, 2026 +45
But what about the trillion dollar Trump Fleet?
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PurpleSailor Mar 15, 2026 +10
First he stole Reagan's campaign slogan and now he wants to steal his 600 ship fleet idea too?
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SouthernOshawaMan Mar 15, 2026 +12
Landed on that aircraft carrier in F14 Tomcat on the Commodore 64
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royale_wthCheEsE Mar 15, 2026 +11
I mean, it did almost stop the Pearl Harbor attack after all.
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Smithfieldva Mar 14, 2026 +17
They went down to 10 when enterprise was retired.
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Apical-Meristem Mar 14, 2026 +21
But I already started the final countdown…
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TrainingObligation Mar 15, 2026 +17
In case you want to feel old… That movie is closer in time to the Pearl Harbor attack, than it is to today.
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fleetinggglimpse Mar 15, 2026 +6
Another cool old movie featuring the Nimitz is ‘Countdown to Looking Glass’ from 1984, which includes such plot points as war with Iran, shipping traffic and oil tankers on fire in the Strait of Hormuz, and the specter of nuclear war. https://youtu.be/GQzgHBjQzf4?si=eldPOuDTZI4yMBX2
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ZorroMcChucknorris Mar 15, 2026 +7
Those Zeros are still in danger.
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PinchedTazerZ0 Mar 14, 2026 +16
Cool, it was always fun seeing it in port in Washington
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robertredberry Mar 14, 2026 +13
The crew might have to shit in five-gallon buckets to toss over the side, but that’s workable.
13
MapleMonstera Mar 14, 2026 +13
My dad was on the Nimitz in the late 70s. To hear him speak about it - that ship was a living breathing person. A friend. I wish I could tell him she was still out and about heading to potential battle.
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depressedsports Mar 14, 2026 +1
My brother in law was deployed on the Nimitz during 2020-2025. He took us on a tour of it when it docked again in Bremerton in 2023 and it was insane. The scale is unbelievable.
1
MapleMonstera Mar 15, 2026 +1
That’s so cool ! What did your brother in law do ? My dad was a welder , lots of work to be done on the ship, and some really cool training on how to weld hanging off the side of the ship if it’s damaged at sea !
1
Blueskyminer Mar 14, 2026 +6
Lolol. Now let's talk about minesweepers.
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DGASAP Mar 14, 2026 +17
Eventually they're going to put Donal Trump's name infront of the new carriers name John F Kennedy
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brainchili Mar 14, 2026 +23
Nothing will please me more than seeing the next POTUS remove his name from everything. That man has no business putting his name on any warship. Period.
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UnrealAce Mar 14, 2026 +18
No business putting his name on anything really. Pedos and con artists aren't celebrated in a functioning society.
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Individual-Ad4050 Mar 14, 2026 +5
This one is pretty funny though. Petition · Rename the 'Zavikon Island Bridge' to the 'President Donald J. Trump Bridge' - Canada · Change.org https://share.google/CMKkcqkayyDktM2Aw
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lagadu Mar 16, 2026
A prison wing dedicated to holding pedos.
0
AV15 Mar 14, 2026 +4
Only thing his name should be on is the sex offender database 
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southendgirl Mar 14, 2026 -1
May be a stupid question, but wouldn’t you had to have served in the Navy to have any ship named after you?
-1
tyderian Mar 15, 2026 +5
No, there are many ships named for people who never served in the Navy.
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KingMario05 Mar 14, 2026 +6
Remove him. Now. Before we're at war with every single goddamned country on Earth.
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AirmailHercules Mar 14, 2026 +3
"Too late?" -former tourists from Canada
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linkardtankard Mar 14, 2026 +2
awesome, when is she going to the Strait of Hormuz? Don’t forget to bring Michael Boyle
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fleetinggglimpse Mar 15, 2026 +2
Giving this a rewatch now.
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0621Hertz Mar 14, 2026 +1
It’s going to be permanently anchored at the Straight of Hormuz with inflatable planes to scare off Iranian Warships.
1
allamerican37 Mar 14, 2026 +2
I DIDN’T HEAR NO BELL! - USS Nimitz
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Hellstorm901 Mar 14, 2026 +3
Have Iran and the Houthis tried to claim they've sunk it yet?
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Swordf1sh_ Mar 14, 2026 +1
Oh cool, great place to sell Girl Scout cookies
1
iamnotafbiagnt Mar 15, 2026 +1
second best place to sell girl scout cookies is next to a dispensary
1
Loggerdon Mar 15, 2026 +1
Off Topic: but I went to Chester W. Nimitz Jr High School.
1
stevenriley1 Mar 15, 2026 +1
I was 18 years old when I entered the shipyard in Newport News. I was only there for a year and a half, and I worked on the USS Nimitz during its construction. The carriers are so vast it’s hard to imagine. I think that’s the reason why, when I joined the Navy a few years later, I volunteered for submarine duty.
1
bananafobe Mar 14, 2026 +1
Why is this headline written like the teens successfully raised enough funds with their talent show to save the youth center, and not that the trump administration was so shit at planning they have to use outdated equipment to fight their dumbass war? 
1
Firetripper Mar 14, 2026 +1
They need something older to get blown up so they can justify more bullshit.
1
coffeesgonecold Mar 14, 2026 -10
Will its decommissioning take place in the vicinity of the Straits of Hormuz?
-10
Sulphur99 Mar 15, 2026
Hooray for more poop ships
0
Doktor_Rocket Mar 15, 2026
Awesome ship!! It'd be a pity if it was scuttled in the Strait. But really, awesome ship.
0
[deleted] Mar 14, 2026 -11
[deleted]
-11
acur1231 Mar 15, 2026 +3
'Some of you may die...'
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urohpls Mar 15, 2026 +2
My man are you an actual child
2
Street_Anxiety2907 Mar 14, 2026 -17
Why is this news? I don't give a shit.
-17
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