USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group to visit SL today

• First for US aircraft carrier since 1985

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is scheduled to arrive in Colombo for a planned port visit on 28 October.

The Carrier Strike Group includes the USS Nimitz, the cruiser USS Princeton, and destroyers USS Howard, USS Shoup, USS Pinckney, and USS Kidd. The ships are scheduled to depart Colombo on 31 October.

Reflecting the growing relationship between the US and Sri Lankan navies, this is the first time an aircraft carrier has visited Sri Lanka since 1985, and follows the recent completion of the inaugural bilateralCooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) naval exercise.

“Building our maritime partnership in step with Sri Lanka’s own progress on reconciliation and human rights advances our shared national goals of fostering security and stability,” said US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Atul Keshap.

“I’m delighted that US sailors will have the chance to visit Sri Lanka, meet with its wonderful people, and take part in public service activities at schools, hospitals, and rest homes that will improve the lives of Sri Lankans of all ages,” he added.

It is estimated that the carrier strike group will add approximately Rs. 1.54 billion ($10 million) to the Sri Lankan economy as the ships purchase supplies and thousands of US sailors come ashore and support local businesses.

During the visit, sailors will have opportunities to explore the local community and meet with their counterparts in the Sri Lankan Navy. While in port, sailors will also work with local non-profit organisations to support community service events at a local hospital, an orphanage, and other sites.

“There is an excitement among the crew to experience everything Colombo has to offer,” said Rear Admiral Gregory Harris, commander, Carrier Strike Group 11. “There is a sense of adventure and anticipation for this visit since few in the crew have previously been to Sri Lanka. Our visit will be a great opportunity to enhance our relationship with Sri Lanka through cultural exchanges and other exchanges, relationships that I suspect will last long after we depart.”

The USS Nimitz is more than 23 storeys high from the keel to the top of the mast and is approximately 333 metres long. It can accommodate more than 5,000 personnel, with its kitchens providing more than 18,000 meals each day. It produces 1.5 million litres of fresh water daily and its two barber shops give 1,500 haircuts each week. The USS Nimitz’s home port is in the state of Washington.