US Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) has concluded a working port visit to Manama, Bahrain, as it continues its deployment in the Middle East.
The carrier was joined by guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), which is also part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, on the logistics and maintenance stop between November 4 and 8.
This is the second time in the past month that Nimitz has visited Bahrain under coronavirus (COVID-19) mitigations, and was made possible due to close coordination between the US Navy and Kingdom of Bahrain.
USS Nimitz arrived in the Middle East in July after getting underway for operations on April 27.
While this was a working port visit, sailors and marines had a number of opportunities to rest and unwind in designated areas on the pier, the navy said.
“The Nimitz Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) team was very excited for the opportunity to plan another visit to Bahrain,” said Austin Magill, Afloat Recreation Specialist, known as the ‘Funboss’ of the carrier. “Each port visit presents its own challenges in regards to planning, available facilities and required COVID-19 mitigations. A second visit gives us the chance to work from a previously established foundation to adjust what didn’t work well and capitalize what did. For example, we planned more events, including corn hole and football toss competitions, movies on the pier and much more!”
The ships have been deployed since July in the US 5th Fleet area of operation and have been operating in the Arabian Gulf since September 18 in order to provide additional support to regional and coalition partners, including support to operation Inherent Resolve.
