The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) returned to Naval Station Norfolk on Sunday, following the completion of a 12-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA).
On the 7th of December, 2022, the Truman was moved from Naval Station Norfolk to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard to start what was supposed to be a 10-month PIA.
“Harry S. Truman’s maintenance period focused on modernization efforts, structural repair, and preservation work. These efforts included tanks, voids, weapons elevators, areas of the flight deck and hangar bay, the main mast and exterior of the ship, as well as general repairs to the hull, mechanical and electrical infrastructure, aviation engine hatch safety station modification and the airplane crane,” stated a Navy press release.
“Additionally, a significant focus of this availability included extensive work to enhance berthing spaces, gyms, barber shops, laundry areas, and entertainment spaces, along with the installation of Wi-Fi capabilities focused on the crew’s quality of life. In addition to the routine repairs, approximately 20% of the crew’s berthings and heads were completely overhauled from the floor to the ceiling.”
Prior to entering the PIA, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and its escorts came back from a 10-month deployment which began in December of 2021, during a period of heightened tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
Following Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine on February 24th of 2022, the carrier’s deployment was extended by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The Truman’s CSG was replaced by USS George H.W. Bush around August of that same year.
10 out of 11 US Navy aircraft carriers now “active”
As noted by naval warfare journalist, Chris Cavas, following the transfer of USS Harry S. Truman, only the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) remains inactive as it undergoes a Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH).
All of the US Navy’s remaining carriers are either at their homeports, at sea conducting qualifications ahead of deployments or else on deployments. Eisenhower, Ford, and Vinson CSGs are on their respective deployments, while the Lincoln and Washington have been conducting flight deck certifications and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) qualifications.
The Nimitz returned home following its Pacific deployment earlier this year, while the Reagan recently completed its summer deployment and returned to Yokosuka. Lastly, Bush returned to Norfolk from its deployment in April of this year. The Navy’s newest carrier, the USS John F. Kennedy, is currently moored at Newport News’ Shipyard in Norfolk awaiting the completion of its final outfitting.
