Navy officials announced Thursday that the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz will leave San Diego on Monday and take over duties from the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Persian Gulf.
But the Navy isn’t saying exactly when the Lincoln will return to its home port in Everett.
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"While the Nimitz is on a scheduled deployment to relieve the Lincoln, we will not comment further on future operations to include the timing of their turnover," said Cmdr. Karen Sellers, spokeswoman for Navy Region Northwest.
But those aboard the Lincoln are taking a believe-it-when-they-see-it approach, and not many aboard are counting on heading home anytime soon.
The Lincoln was almost midway home nearly two months ago before getting orders to return to the Gulf.
"We have no definite plans to return yet," Lincoln commanding officer Capt. Kendall Card said. "Nimitz is our scheduled replacement. However, that doesn’t mean we won’t serve together here in the Gulf for some time before we go home. And right now, we don’t know what will happen."
Local officials were also careful to point out that the Navy was not saying the Lincoln was directly coming home.
"The Nimitz’s arrival in the Arabian Sea opens the door for the Lincoln’s return, but that return has not been scheduled, determined or announced," Sellers said.
Some uncertainty remains over the next mission for the Nimitz.
Although the Nimitz is headed toward the Persian Gulf, Sellers could not say if it might be diverted because of the emerging crisis with North Korea.
The Nimitz could be sent there fast if it’s needed, Sellers said, quickly adding that it’s not the Navy’s call.
"Any decision to deploy Nimitz to Northeast Asia would be made and announced by our civilian leadership," she said.
While local families welcomed the news that the Lincoln’s replacement is due to leave soon, others in the area will be bidding farewell next week to sailors aboard the USS Rodney M. Davis.
The Everett-based guided missile frigate will deploy with the Nimitz battle group early on March 3.
"We’re very excited," said Cmdr. John Carroll, skipper of the Davis. "We’re looking forward to going out and joining the battle group and doing what our nation needs us to do."
The Davis was last deployed in 2001 to the coast off South and Central America to intercept drug smugglers. It has a crew of roughly 250, and is mainly used to escort and protect convoys, help with amphibious landings and attack submarines.
The arrival of the Nimitz in the Persian Gulf sometime in March will raise the number of aircraft carriers to six that could assist in a war against Iraq.
The Nimitz will join the Lincoln, the USS Constellation and the USS Kitty Hawk, making four Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers operating in the U.S. Central Command Region, Sellers said. Two other U.S. aircraft carriers are now in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Lincoln, which has a crew of roughly 8,000, left Everett in mid-July to help fight the war on terror. Its six-month deployment was extended for an undetermined amount of time on Jan. 1.
Other local forces will also leave next week.
VAQ-135, the "Black Ravens" of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, will also deploy with the Nimitz. The unit is an EA-6B Prowler squadron of radar and communications-jamming fighter jets.
The guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald, ammunition ship USS Bridge and guided missile cruisers USS Chosin and USS Princeton will also deploy as part of the Nimitz battle group.
The Nimitz, the Princeton and the Fitzgerald will leave their home port in San Diego on March 3.
The Davis and the Bremerton-based Bridge will join the Nimitz off the coast of Southern California for the journey west across the Pacific Ocean. Chosin will leave Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and join the battle group in the Pacific. The guided missile destroyer USS Benfold and the destroyer USS Oldendorf, both based in San Diego, will join the Nimitz Battle Group later in the year, the Navy said.
Here in Snohomish County, many Lincoln families were expecting the carrier to return in April.
"I think it’s wonderful," said Jan Larson of Snohomish. "We can’t wait for our son to come home, and he can’t wait to come home."
Her son, Petty Officer 3rd Class Lars Larson, is an electronics technician who is seeing his first sea duty.
Larson, 22, has been able to joke about the extension of the ship’s deployment earlier this year beyond its expected six-month tour.
"He says they got their money’s worth out of him," his mother said, although an e-mail from him two days ago made it clear the deployment was "getting old."
"It would be nice to have a date, but I’m content with just the knowledge that he’s coming home. I’m just thrilled that the end is in sight for him," Larson said, adding that she’s proud of her son and others who are serving their country.
"He has to do what he has to do. We’re so proud of him for what he’s doing," she said.
While those on the Lincoln may be ready to return, the crew of the Davis is ready to go, Carroll said.
"Whatever we’re called to do, I feel we’re very ready," he said. "I think it’s important for the sailors to go out and do something patriotic and something that’s meaningful to their country. That’s what they sign up to do."
Reporter Brian Kelly: 425-339-3422 or kelly@heraldnet.com. Bremerton Sun reporter Chris Barron, who is aboard the Lincoln in the Persian Gulf, contributed to this story.
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