U.S.S. CARL VINSON

A Nimitz-class supercarrier launched in 1980 and commissioned in 1982, Carl Vinson calls San Diego her home port. She has participated in many cruises and support missions around the world, deploying frequently to the Middle East and Pacific. There are no plans for her decommissioning at any point in the future.

Deployments

Over her career, Carl Vinson has been involved in the following missions and operations:

• Participated in RIMPAC
• Stayed in the Indian Ocean for 107 days until WESTPAC deployment
• Supported Operation Earnest Will
• PACEX 1989, which was the largest naval exercise during peacetime since the second World War
• Operation Desert Strike
• Exercise Rugged Nautilus
• Operation Desert Fox and Southern Watch
• Operation Enduring Freedom
• Operation Iraqi Freedom

USS Carl Vinson Awards

• Meritorious Unit Commendation
• Admiral James H. Flatley Memorial Award, three times
• Battle “E” Award
• Featured in the PBS documentary, Carrier
• Afghan Campaign Medal
• Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award

Carl Vinson has played roles in popular culture including:

• Aircrew and planes featured in the film Top Gun
• Appeared in the opening scene for the film, The Presidio, as well as the films Stealth and Behind Enemy Lines
• The Flight Simulator from Microsoft