In an ominous decision portending war, the U.S. Navy has announced the deployment of the nuclear powered supercarrier, USS Nimitz (CVN-68), to Asia to join two of her sister ships in patrols off the volatile Korean Peninsula.

The Nimitz; her Carrier Strike Group Eleven (CSG-11); her Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) and Destroyer Squadron 23 are expected to set sail for Asia as soon as possible. Preparations are being accelerated for the departure of this powerful naval force from its homeport at Naval Base Kitsap on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State.

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The arrival of the Nimitz in Asia will result in the largest single gathering of U.S. aircraft carriers in one place since the Gulf War or Operation Desert Shield in 1991. It will also be the largest assembly of U.S. aircraft carriers in Asia since the Vietnam War

This powerful naval force sends what might be an unmistakable signal the U.S. is seriously considering a punitive strike to destroy North Korea's nuclear production facilities.

There will be over 250 aircraft combined aboard the Nimitz; the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) now patrolling off Korea and the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) that has departed its homeport in Japan to join the Vinson.

Of this total number of aircraft, over 140 will be McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet and F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet twin-engine supersonic, all-weather multirole fighter jets. There are over 20 warships in the three combined Carrier Strike Groups, including submarines.

At least two, and possibly three, nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) are on patrol off the Korean Peninsula.

There are over 15,000 men and women serving aboard all three carriers and some 20,000 aboard all the warships in the three Carrier Strike Groups.

Navy sources said massing three supercarriers and their Carrier Strike Wings in one location is a very rare event.

The official U.S. Navy reason for the deployment of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, however, is its participation in a "strait transit exercise in the Pacific Ocean."

The Nimitz is the lead-ship in the Nimitz-class of supercarriers. The navy operates 10 carriers in this class.

TagsU.S. Navy, USS Nimitz (CVN-68, North Korea, Carrier Strike Group Eleven, Carrier Air Wing Eleven, USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)