One of the largest warships in the world made its port call in Bahrain yesterday, sending a clear message to adversaries that the US security commitment and its naval presence in Gulf waters are here to stay.
Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz returned for a scheduled port call at the Khalifa Bin Salman Port with more than 5,000 crew members onboard and a fleet of F-18 super jets and attack helicopters.
The ship is part of the Carrier Strike Group that has been operating in the US Central Command that covers 21 nations, which stretches from Northeast Africa across the Middle East to Central and South Asia.
USS Nimitz was deployed amidst the conflict between Israel and Iran, and also to maintain pressure on the Iranian-backed Houthi militias operating from Yemen.
The warship replaced another US aircraft carrier, Carl Vinson, last month to support Middle East operations.
The GDN was given a tour of the Nimitz, followed by an interaction with Carrier Strike Group Eleven’s Commander Rear Admiral Frederic Goldhammer, who briefly spoke about their vision, mission and strategic partnership with Bahrain.
“We were originally operating in the Seventh Fleet (headquartered in Japan) which is more in the Indo-Pacific, and were pulled over (to the Middle East),” Rear Adm Goldhammer told the GDN, on the sidelines of the visit.
“We’ve been here for a little over a month, and in response to a great many things out in the region.
“The main purpose of why you would bring a Carrier Strike Group into any operating area is really to demonstrate a signal of commitment and deterrence to ensure that there is stability within the region.
“I don’t think I have to remind you of all the activities that have happened in the Gulf region, as well as towards the Red Sea, in the past several years.”
Rear Adm Goldhammer who assumed command of the Carrier Strike Group Eleven in May this year, was deployed in support of Enduring Freedom (2001-2014 Afghanistan), Iraqi Freedom (2003) and Inherent Resolve (2014 – ongoing against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria), among other missions.
One of the big challenges for the US Navy is the Houthi militias who have reportedly hit more than 100 ships between November 2023 and December 2024 in what they said was a show of solidarity with the Palestinians in the war in Gaza.
“For us, what success looks like is ensuring that there’s a demonstration of strength to ensure peace throughout the region, without having to fire a shot, and regional stability wherever we go,” said Rear Adm Goldhammer.
“It is my experience having done this for a few years, that our presence definitely has a stabilising influence on the region, and I’m confident that our presence here will continue to do so in our time remaining.”
He added that while challenges remain not only to this region , but others, adding that trade supplies that pass through strategic routes need free and open maritime access.
“It doesn’t matter if you live in Asia or in the Gulf region; any impediments that threaten to interrupt the flow of high-volume trade will always remain the challenge.”
In the past few years, Iran has threatened or flared tensions to disrupt or block the Strait of Hormuz, which is one of the busiest shipping lanes as about one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments pass through the narrow channel, and a blockage would likely have spiked world energy prices.
Meanwhile, Rear Adm Goldhammer also touched upon the decommissioning of the USS Nimitz next year, as it completes 51 years in operation since it was commissioned in 1975.
The ship, which was named after Second World War Pacific Fleet Commander Chester Nimitz (1885-1966), the US Navy’s third fleet admiral, was built for a lifespan of 50 years.
“We build these aircraft carriers to typically last for about 50 years, and so Nimitz is now approaching 51 years of age,” he said.
“So naturally, there’s discussion on when do we normally deactivate or decommission her.
“In the coming year or so, we’ll kind of work on the details of how that is done.”
This marks the first port visit for an aircraft carrier to Bahrain since 2020 when Nimitz last visited.
“Nimitz’s port visit underscores Bahrain’s vital role as an important hub for US Navy operations in the region,” said Rear Adm Goldhammer.”
“Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is honoured to return as part of our continued operations in the Arabian Gulf, and we remain grateful for Bahrain’s steadfast support and hospitality.”
Bahrain is home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet and its estimated 8,000 military members and their dependents.
The US Fifth Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.
sandy@gdnmedia.bh
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