USS Nimitz - VIP Tour & Flight Deck Action 

I spent 28 years and 9 months in Newport news shipyard, we build aircraft carriers and submarines. I spent three and a half years overhauling the USS Nimitz. I was a pipefitter,I feel it every piece of pipe from the size of a pencil to the size of a automobile tire. I walked that ship forward and aft, from the captain's observation tower to the very bottom of the ship. I enjoy those 28 years and 9 months as a pipefitter in the Newport news shipyard of Newport news Virginia.

I was the first Nimitz Master Helmsman qualifed in 1975 and steered Nimitz into every Navy port, anchorage, and brought her alongside all of the supply ships during Nimitz's first two years. I appreciated seeing my old helm and engine order telegraph in your video. I always wondered what hat to the spoked helm wheel. That was the second helm wheel. The first was a steel grey one with a thick band around the outside. The spoked wheel replaced it but was impractical. Too big but good ol Navy tradition. Was replaced by a wooden rimmed all brass helm wheel with USS Nimitz on it. That was the last one I steered with. I have a great story about a near collision we had south of Cuba. How's do I contact you?

Fantastic! Glad to see they're taking care of my ship. I started working on it at Newport News Shipbuilding as an Outside Nuclear Machinist apprentice right out of high school in 1973. I got so lost the fist time I went onboard before the bulkheads and decks were numbered. Looks like a lot more paint has been added. So proud of the young men and women that take care of it and crew the ship. What a great opportunity, I wish everyone could experience it.

I just buried my father. He was a Submariner in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. He had a full military funeral. I hope the younger Generations realize we are losing the greatest Generation ever.

I like when at 35:00 you said, "I hope all my Facebook fans appreciate this." Well, I don't use Facebook, but I do love RU-vid, and I'm really glad you posted this video. It was a video tour of a Carrier that I had never seen before. The PBS series on Carriers was very good, but your tour is uniquely different. This is a FANTASTIC video. Thank You!

I served on her from 92 to March 1994, flight deck electrician. Awesome memories...

My grandbaby is stationed on the USS Nimitz. I could not be more proud of her. She completes the fifth generation of our family all US Navy and one US Air Force vet. I am proud to be an American.

Being a Marine engineer and offshore drilling rig inspector you get used to having piping all over the place, sewage/salt water/fresh water/diesel fuel/hydraulic oil/lub oil etc might be overhead in the galley or your bedroom, you soon learn the colour codes of the piping so you know what you are living with.

Kermit, I am a former F-14 pilot and I lived over a year of my life on CVN-68. I have 200 traps on Nimitz and day traps are the most fun you can have in an airplane! Next time I am down in Florida I will definitely visit Fantasy of Flight to see your amazing collection of aircraft. Jim “Bugs” Easterbrooks.

After 4 and a half years serving in her and leaving in 1985 the changes on the island and surrounding flight deck is unrecognizable. 20 of the best years of my life. Absolutely amazing machinery.

I deployed on the USS Enterprise during Tet in 1968. It was a hectic job on the flight deck, worked on A6A Intruders with VA-35 in the air wing. This video shows the activity pretty well. Also did a visit on the USS John F Kennedy in 2001 with my son and two brothers. It was a memory like no other. Hope to do something like this again soon. Thanks for the video.

*THAT WAS ONE EXCITING TOUR AND WE APPRECIATE THE NAVY FOR ALLOWING SUCH A TREAT TO GET A CLOSER LOOK BELOW DECK AND ALL ITS INCREDIBLE SHOPS, THE BRIDGE AND ALL THE VERY NICE PEOPLE...WE TOTALLY LOVE THE UNITED STATES NAVY...AND THE OTHERS OF COURSE, BUT WE'RE ALL NAVY PEOPLE...LOLO!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND YOUR AWESOME SHIP!!!*

The "DV" stands for Distinguished VISITOR. We rescue you guys 1st. you might be our congressmen. I had several years on board Carriers 20 years service and enjoyed most of them. I am glad you enjoyed your 24 hours. I flew 4 times in cods 2 launches and 2 landings only 1 hitting a tree landing on Okinawa. to low of an approach. a branch was stuck in our main starboard strut. we walked away so it was a good landing. I would Love to be able to come check the museum out .

Thank you Kermit for the wonderful video. My Navy son is heading for that awesome ship Oct 2021. God Bless America , My Nukie Son and all who protect us.

Cool! I was at the launching of the Nimitz, and watched Catherine Nimitz break the bottle on her bow in 1972.

Общий смысл такой, глобальное враньё, враньё в малом и в большом. На этом стояло и стоит капиталистическое общество. Это касается всех стран, в том числе и России, даже особенно России.

That Aircraft with the large Radome is an E-2 Hawkeye. It's an airborn radar search plane. It utilizes "Artificial Horizon" radar to search the Horizon to seek and alert of any Enemies hidden far beyond the Horizon.

Did 8 years in the Navy. 5 of which I worked on F-14s, i cruised on the Kennedy, and Roosevelt.

Wow.. That was awesome. Thank you for posting. Very nice and Thank you and all the young men and women serving this awesome nation ✌👽

I just watched the movie "Midway" and love it. Respect to Nimitz for the most strategic battles of Pacific.

That "radar airplane" that you see my friend is probably the most important thing in that entire carrier strike group. Its called the E-2 Hawkeye and it is what allows the ships to overcome the radar horizon limitation (25-30 nautical miles) and see far further out (200-300 nautical miles) by having it fly high. It also allows the ships of the group to keep their radars off and remain silent, avoiding passive detection by the enemy.

Served in 2000. I was 18 years old. This ship was being replenished, feels good to see her float. Hull technician.

To give people a sense of how powerful a nuclear carrier really is consider this. Back when I was on the Numbnutz(affectionately) while stationed in Bremerton Wa back in the early 90's...there was a city wide power outage. The base had no power as the plant was down for some reason. We "lit off" one of our four reactors and back fed power into the grid and ran PSNS for a couple days. ONE of four... Also, the "flag" is basically a passenger. He has his own staff, bridge and whatnot. The ships CO actually has command of the ship, the Admiral runs the entire battle group. Carriers are cool but their size gets old while on deployment. You stand in line for EVERYTHING, they're deep draft so you can't get into smaller ports and are nuclear powered so some countries won't even allow you to pull in. I MUCH preferred my time on smaller cruisers and destroyers. You knew the entire ship, most of the crew and could pull into smaller ports of call over seas. Oh...I'll almost guarantee most of those old machine shop lathes etc...are never used and no one even knows how to use them. As you can see...they're freshly painted and it's all very clean. BUT...there's really no practical way to remove them as they were installed then the ship built around them. Yeah they weld and may do some very minor machining but anything beyond basic stuff is done at a "depot" maintenance shop on shore and then flown out.

@21:48. That purple line is JP-5. aka. jet propulsion #5 fuel.

Wow. I was onboard Nimitz when you visited back then.

Agree with everyone else...a candid tour to areas and perspective I have never seen before, and I watch these types of videos all the time! Thank you!!!!!

Thank you Kermit for posting! Most people never see the operation of a carrier from the perspective that you gave. I served onboard the Nimitz class CVN-70 USS Carl Vinson from 1985-1989 as a Nuclear Machinist Mate and still reflect on that experience to this day. I ended up doing three Western Pacific Cruises in four years. I reported aboard the ship via a C-2 COD in the Philippines. We missed our first trap! Imagine hanging by your seat belt looking straight down out the small circular side window at the ocean and ship below. I also catapulted off in an S-3 Viking for my dads funeral while transiting the Malacca straights during a USO concert featuring Pearl Bailey. I was seated with a few other sailors facing forward. My small gym bag almost met my face during launch! Thank you for the shout out to the crew, as they work around the clock to operate the ship around the world at all times and in all weather conditions. There are no holidays when deployed!

Everybody should take a moment and respect scientists and engineers...

Nimitz is my favourite. Thanks for the unique view of the beast.

A hard trap/landing is what all Naval Aviators strive to achieve. Essentially you want your rate of descent to be intercepted by the flight deck, ie. notably by one of the four arresting gear wires stretched across the boat's fantail. 'Flared' landings will get you a 'no-grade' landing evaluation, something you DO NOT want on your flight record. All Naval Aviators are rated/graded according to their flying skills around the boat. That includes all approaches/departures and ESPECIALLY traps/landings. Only Air Farce pukes 'flare' their landings.. ( They're ALWAYS so mortified when witnessing flight deck operations aboard the boat in person.. Just wait until the sun goes down.. that's when the REAL FUN begins..)

Loved the Video ! I had 31 years in the Air Force but, always thought it would be a great experience to spend about a month on a Carrier and experience the culture and Flight Operations ! Wonderful Video !!!

Thank you Kermit. As a crewmember on the USS Nimitz in the 1977 to late 1981 timeframe, this brought back great memories of the times. With it being decommissioned in the near future I am sure you can negotiate with the Navy to get some of the PriFly and gear from other areas donated to your Museum in Lakeland, which by the way is great in its own way, having spent several visits there. People ask what is the most important item on the ship, like in my timeframe it was the crew (all male then) average age was 18 then. No amount of money can substitute for the great work of those who keep it going every day. Thanks for the tour and look back in history, past and present.

Kermit, that is absolutely great! The Nimitz is my favorite since watching the movie "The Final Countdown" as a kid with Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen where the carrier goes through an electrical storm which takes them back to December 5th, 1941 near Hawaii. Don't you know I still dream about what excitement that would be and all the old aircraft and hardware of war we could salvage!!!

Thanks for this. It is unlikely I will ever be able to take the tour, so I am living vicariously through your video.

Thanks Kermit. I did something like 700 days underway on Nimitz back in the 80's. First time I heard of you was reading aviation magazines on deployment on that very ship. Now we've walked the same decks albeit 30 years apart. Your video brought back a lot of good memories, thanks again.

I met kermit weeks at an airshow with my grandpa when I was three and signed my book

The missile you saw on deck just before you had the brifing was a HARM high speed antiradiation missle

As you stepped off the flight deck, you walked right past my old work center. OPS/OE-06 82-86 Compartment 03-180-13-C. Wild! She was my home for 3 years, 3 month and 15 days.

Thoroughly enjoyed this - you were very fortunate to have such an intimate experience on this awesome ship. Thanks for filming and sharing - very cool.

تحية وتقدير لكم عندكم رجال صناع... أما نحن راكم عارفين الحالة....

That is awesome beyond words.

Terrific Video. Brought back some memories as I was on the Nimitz during the Iranian Hostage Crisis in 79-80. I was an E-4 on Admiral Kirksey’s staff and our birthing compartment was directly under the 3rd arresting gear. I can still sleep through anything as a result. During the times when we weren’t doing flight ops, my favorite spot was sitting on the bow of the flight deck because it was the only quiet place I could find. Thanks again for the video.

So cool ! I went on board the carrier that is docked as a museum in San Diego several years back and I know just how cool these vessels are ! Kermit , you are one lucky dude !

This must have been at the beginning of their deployment. That's my son giving the Snakes briefing at the 17:20 mark. I had the opportunity to do the Tiger Cruise when they came home in December of 2013. Great video. Brought back a lot of memories.

My father took the same trip though 25 years ago. He retired from the Navy after flying for them. He flew the PBM, P5M, taught cadets to fly in the SNJ, and ended flying for the Navy on the H5 helicopter. Both of you said the same thing about the crew on the Nimitz.

My father did the same tour being a retired Navy officer. And he said the same thing you did about the crew and how they operated together. Thanks so much for sharing that with us.

I believe that's called a Ouija board..

My wife and I were on the 2013 Tiger Cruise for the USS Nimitz. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. Tremendous ship with a great crew.

Purple pipes are for aviation fuel. Interesting thoughts with that above your head at breakfast.

Nhiệt liệt hoan hô các hàng không mẫu hạm của hiệp chủng quốc Hoa Kỳ 🗽🇺🇸 hùng mạnh nhất thế giới 🌍 và chúc toàn thể thủy thủ của mẩu hạm đội của Hoa Kỳ sống vui và an lành hạnh phúc nhé.

I'm a PLANK OWNER of the USS Nimitz (CVAN/CVN-68) President Gerald Ford did the honors at pier 12 NOB Onboard before that at Newport News Navy Shipyard, VA

I was on board when you filmed this. I saw so many people I knew. I was working in the in the mess decks at the time

I flew F-14 Tom Cats off of USS Nimitz back in the start of the first gulf war back in 1990.

That was so cool. that you and the group you were with got to take a two day tour, of the Nimitz. I would love to do that, since I am a Marine Corps Veteran. Thanks you for sharing your tour with us. Semper Fi

Brings back memories of "The Final Countdown"

23/7/2020 Nimitz Doing Exercise with Indian Navy in Indian Ocean

Awesome video! My nephew is currently deployed on the Nimitz as part of the flight deck crew. Last I heard he is a Catapult Safety Observer

brought a lot of memories....USS KITTY HAWK CV-63, 1992-1995. my heart swells with pride.

Thank you Kermit for all your hard work. The Navy should be proud of the great video you made. It showed them at their finest.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for making this video! Great stuff. Really neat.

Thanks for this excellent upload Kermit, it's wonderful to see this so clearly and in detail. The takeoffs and landings are awesome. It's unreal how these carriers operate. One big city.

I always wanted to work on an aircraft carrier, sadly germany doesnt own any:/

Thank You for the tour! American born- American proud! Thank you to all the hard working sailors that keep our waters and skies safe! WWG1WGA

That big purple colored pipe running overhead the mess room does not carry grape fruit juice for sure. Lol.

thank u very much for sharing :-) i was pasing by nimitz , in the summer of 1981 , i was on a merchantship heading for marsa el brega in libya as a 15 year old messboy ;-), when the "gulf of sidra incident" took place , we only heard a lot of jetnoise . i remember we could get a 6000 dollars fine if the libyans found a magazine with bare woman in, all magazines and alkohol , was locked up and sealed with the skipper , so we didnt offend gadaffis soldiers :-))

If you notice, the welding shop is covered in fire retardant material on the walls and ceilings.

I've toured a couple carriers, but none were underway. What an amazing opportunity!

One of those videos that you didn't plan on watching but ended up watching the whole thing.

My good GOD this is a huge city on Water's & the service people on board Are so much proud to serve there Great country America GOD BLESS ALL of them,and what an honor to be Working for this Great carrier's ship. 👏👏👏👍☺👌❤

So, that purple JP-5 line, WAS "grape" juice! (The pipe in the ceiling of the mess hall.) steve

QUE INCREÍBLE OBRA DE INGENIERÍA. ME DE LA IMPRESIÓN DE QUE ES FÁCIL PERDERSE EN ÉSE GIGANTESCO LABERINTO...PERO DESPUÉS DIJE, - NO, SOLO SIGUE RECTO, LLEGARÁS A LA PROA O A LA POPA.

Kermit, When I was 7 years old my parents took my sister and I to the Philadelphia Airshow and the carrier Ticonderoga was anchored in the river nearby. We took a bus over to the ship and got aboard. I had previously built a Revell model of the F7U Cutlass and the exhaust nozzles were not as big as a pencil but when I stood behind the real thing I said, "Look at that dad, that is big enough for me to stand up in." Back on land we saw the Thunderbirds perform in their F-100s, a B-36, and B-52 were there and just about everything else that was current in the inventory. One act that stood out was a group of four helicopters, either Hiller or Bell 47s that did a square dance in front of the crowd. That was impressive. I wonder if there is a video of that somewhere online.

My father worked at treasure Island in the S.F. Bay for at least 25 yrs. when it was a navy station, he was the head electrician, he knew Admiral Nimitz very well, he would do wiring, anything electrical for the Admirals home, it is still there on top of Yerba Buena Island, Admiral Nimitz gave my dad a signed photo of him signing the end of the war treaty with the Japanese. It is a treasured photo for our family, I sent a copy to the Treasure Island Museum for them to put on the wall. My Dad spent 25 yrs in the Navy, fought in WW2 and Korea, he was a chief radioman and retired as a senior chief petty officer.

Now that was great, I was surprised that you could take a GoPro on board, and video what you wanted

What a moving beautiful city I want to open mall over there

God Bless The US Military!

I'm really surprised they allowed civilian types on the flight deck right on the recovery end and by the wires.

Fing AWESOME!!! I wish I had served!!! i WOULD SUPER BE STOKED TO EXPLORE A CARRIER, and a Submarine. Carrier first. Just getting older, lol. Thanks for the video!! Trump 2020!!

ACT III = Installation of a Catapult and Arresting wires at Fantasy of Flight? LOL!! Great video Kermit!!!! Thanks for keeping them flying!!!

نعم نعم نعم عراب خيركم حفضوه.كلكم

I was on the first cruise of the Nimitz in 1975, no F18's just Phantoms and Tomcats. Worked on the E2-C aircraft

I really really admire this beautiful Carrier. You have a Fantastic And magnificent! Ship!

I had seen the Nimitz when I was with a school trip in Schillighörn I think in 1985. They visited Bremerhaven / Germany. Me, as a ten year old boy stood at the beach and could not believe how big it is. I think until today it is the biggest ship I 've ever seen. And the service at the C-2 reminds me a bit to Ryan Air... ;)

I spent 6 months on this carrier as part of WestPac 93 and in an F14A and F14B Tomcat squadron called VF24 Fighting Renegades based at NAS Miramar, aka FighterTown USA , aka Top Gun. That Aircraft Carrier was massive, and the “knee knockers” , or the “head knocker “, were always an issue, but, I am 5’9 inches so there was no problem for me .

Was expecting to see Kirk Douglas on the bridge, LOL

Imagine my surprise when I saw my old squadron represented in one of the ready rooms. VFA-146 the Blue Diamonds. When I was with them it was just VA-146 flying A7-E Corsair II aircraft. I thought it was interesting that they kept you in "Officer Country" for the most part. Oh and by the way, the Hanger Deck is the Main deck of the ship. Everything above that is superstructure. The Colored shirts designate the assignment of the person. The Greens are maintenance, the Yellows are flight deck control types, the Browns are aircraft handlers "plane captains". The white /checkered are safety and the purple folks like you said are the grapes, the aircraft fuelers etc...

How great is RU-vid to be able to watch these videos with unprecedented access most of us would never get the opportunity to and all for free with high quality! What a time to be alive

I did a tour on the Carl Vinson and 2 on the Independence. I was an airframe mechanic, (AMS2, though I think it's just AM now) and also safety/final checker. I've never really thought that much about it since. I mean, it was something I did, that I was good at and then I moved on.

I always thought I would have to do something famous to get a tour on a carrier but our great youtube friend gets us all onboard! Thanks Kermit!

Wow, great video! I always wondered what inside a aircraft carrier was like.

23:34 Lodge and Shipley went out of business in 1987!

Thank You, Bob. It was REALLY SOMETHING- watching ALL THOSE TUG-BOATS move A CARRIER. JS

3:06 E2 Hawkeye - (AWACS for Carrier Operations)

Thanks Kermit, this is such an interesting video as are all of your other videos. I really know first hand of being able to get lost on a carrier since I worked on the Enterprise back in the 70ʻs at the Naval Air Station Alameda, CA as an electrician tech in the shipyards. I do have to say that every one of the crew know their jobs like a surgical team in an operating room. Keep the great videos coming Kermit!

I had a lot of reatives and my Dad was in the Navy ..had a tour of the USS Bohmie Richard or Dick back in the days when it was still sailing ..I salute the men and women who surv. On them !

WOW AWESOME Thank you for showin this🙏 So many stairs and rooms and so on.I think i would completly forget which way to go,to find my way back to my room to go to sleep🤔😃👍 Must take a little while until somebody knows where to go from A to B.However God Bless America 🇺🇸 and the U.S.Navy⚓ Greetings from Germany✌😎✌

Thanks for the well done video which brought back many good memories. I was a guest of my nephew on the Iraqi Freedom Tiger Cruise in 2003 and now at 80 years of age, it still remains as one of the highlights of my life. 6 full days and bunking with the pilots gave me full appreciation of the dedication and skill all those folks bring to their job to keep us all safe. Thank you and Go Navy!

Brings back the good ole days - Plane captain (green shirt) VF 41 Black Ace, There's nothing like the smell of JP-5 in the morning. We departed Norfolk for the sixth and final Mediterranean deployment on 30 December 1986. After four months and numerous Mediterranean port visits, the carrier crossed the equator en route to Rio de Janeiro. From Rio de Janeiro, she proceeded south around Cape Horn, in the dark during a bad storm and into the Pacific Ocean. After a brief stop in San Diego, to offload our air wing CVW8 then the ship went on to Bremerton Washington . The best cruise I've ever been on.

To all the Women and Men of the US Navy thank you for your service 🙏🇺🇸

My brother and I sponsored our father and bro's FIL for a Tiger cruise. They flew themselves to Oahu Hi and met the Carrier and spent 7 days aboard ship and disembarked with the crew when we reached San Diego. Getting a Cat and Trap on a greyhound though is something they never got... Way Cool!