CVN-70 is named after US Congressman Carl Vinson (1883–1981). A Representative from Georgia, he was elected as a Democrat to the 63rd Congress and reelected to the 64th and to the 24 succeeding Congresses — he served from November 3, 1914, to January 3, 1965. Vinson was Chairman, Committee on Naval Affairs (1931–1946), and Committee on Armed Services (1949–1952 and 1955–1964). Few men in American history have made so profound an impact on the nation's defenses.

USS Carl Vinson was the first USN ship named for a living American since about 1800. When she was launched, March 15, 1980, Congressman Carl Vinson became the first person in the history of the United States to witness a launching in his honor.

The Hon. Carl Vinson and the ship's sponsor, Mrs. Charles T. Snead, visit the christening site prior to christening day.

Christening Progam, Saturday, 15 March 1980.

Carl Vinson at the christening ceremony. Also in the picture are Mrs. Snead and Ed Campbell, then the President of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company.

A shot of the crowd at the ceremony.

Mrs. Snead christens the ship as Chairman Vinson looks on.

Balloon release after the christening.

Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is towed from the dry dock after christening.

A postmarked christening cachet signed by Congressman Vinson and Mrs. Snead.

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) underway off the Virginia coast during sea trials, 26 January 1982.

PCU Carl Vinson (CVN-70) underway on her sea trials in January 1982. Note that she has only a couple of SH-3 Sea King helicopters aboard.

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) passes under the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco Bay, 12 October 1985, during Fleet Week '85 activities.

Photo by PH2 David A. Dostie, available from DefenseImagery.mil (# DN-SC-86-03246).

An aerial starboard bow view of USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) underway in the Indian Ocean, 14 December 1986. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 J.P. Protz (#DN-SC-87-06454).

A starboard bow view of USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) underway at high speed off the coast of southern California, with Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) aboard, October 1993.

Official U.S. Navy photo by PH3 David C. Lloyd.

Off Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii, Summer 1995. Carl Vinson transported about a dozen WW2-vintage aircraft from San Diego to Hawaii for the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

A photo of the island of USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), taken in San Francisco during Fleet Week '95, 5–8 October.

A Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flies above the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on a simulated Navy aerial reconnaissance flight off the coast of southern California on Dec. 5, 1995. The Predator provides near, real-time infrared and color video to intelligence analysts and controllers on the ground and the ship. This was the Predator's first maritime mission with a carrier battle group. The UAV was launched from San Nicholas Island off the coast of southern California. DoD photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeffrey S. Viano, U.S. Navy (# 951205-N-3149J-004).

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Jul. 6, 1998 — USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) glides past symbols of the beginning and end of World War II. The carrier passes the battleship Missouri on which the Japanese surrender was signed and the Arizona Memorial commemorating the attack on Pearl Harbor which launched the U.S. into the war.

Carl Vinson was participating in RIMPAC '98. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Chris Holloway.

Persian Gulf, Mar. 9, 1999 — An F/A-18 Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron Nine Four (VFA-94) lowers its tailhook to signal it's ready for landing on board USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). U.S. Navy Photo by Lieut. Steve Lightstone (# 9903009-N-3405L-013).

The Pacific Ocean, Jul. 30, 2001 — The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transits the Pacific Ocean on a scheduled six-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf regions. U.S. Navy Photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Daniel Smith. (Photo # 010730-N-6234S-004).

At sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Oct. 12, 2001 — USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and the fast combat support ship USS Sacramento (AOE-1) steam side-by-side during a routine replenishment at sea (RAS). U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Carol Warden. (Photo # 011012-N-5884W-001).

Operation Enduring Freedom, Dec. 20, 2001 — The guided missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG-77) takes on fuel from USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) during a refueling at sea (RAS). During this operation, Carl Vinson resupplied O'Kane with 135,000 gallons of fuel. To save money as well as to simplify supply efforts, the Navy ships and aircraft use the same type of fuel. U S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Carol Warden. (Photo # 011220-N-5884-003).

Jan. 8, 2002 — USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) renders honors as she passes by the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The Carl Vinson and her battle group were stopping in Hawaii for a port visit before returning home after completing a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy Photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Daniel E. Smith. (Photo # 020108-N-6234S-036).

San Diego, Calif., Sept. 30, 2002 — An aerial view of San Diego Harbor with four of the Navy's aircraft carriers moored at the Naval Air Station, North Island. The carriers are (from left) USS Constellation (CV-64), USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). It is rare to have this many carriers in port at any one time. U.S. Navy photo (# 020930-N-7265L-001) by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Inez Lawson.

The Eastern Pacific Ocean, Oct. 2, 2002 — This F/A-18C Hornet from the "Mighty Shrikes" of Strike Fighter Squadron Nine Four (VFA-94) was the first aircraft to land on the flight deck of USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) since the ship completed a scheduled maintenance up-keep. The aircraft is seen about to catch the #3 wire, the arresting cable the pilots aim for in a space of deck about 80 feet long, at about 135 knots. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Inez Lawson. (021002-N-7265L-001)

Naval Station Bremerton, Wash, Oct. 24, 2002 — Early morning fog sets across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) before her scheduled underway period later in the morning. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Martin S. Fuentes. (Photo # 021024-N-5555F-001).

Off the West Coast, Oct. 31, 2002 — An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Rough Raiders" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Two Five (VFA-125) is illuminated by red lights during "darken ship" as flight operations conclude for the day. "Darken ship" is a security measure used to reduce visibility of the ship. Because light is visible from miles away, darken ship is observed by those topside and involves the elimination of any type of light. Topside doors and hatches are closed, ports are blacked out, smoking is forbidden. During darken ship, flashlights or lanterns with red lens covers can be used if necessary. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Chris M. Valdez. (Photo # 021031-N-0905V-003).

The Pacific Ocean, Nov. 7, 2002 — Upon departing from San Diego, the crew of USS Carl Vinson and crew members from the newly assigned Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) team-up for a Foreign Object Damage (FOD) walk down prior to recovering the air wing's aircraft. FOD walk downs are conducted to remove solid objects from the ship's flight deck that might cause damage to aircraft engines during flight operations. U.S Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Bob Meeker. (021107-N-9236M-001).

The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) pulled into Pearl Harbor Jan 31, 2003. The visit followed two weeks of sustainment training, which the carrier conducted with her accompanying battle group in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Chief Gerard J. Sekerak.

The Western Pacific Ocean, Feb. 10, 2003 — The guided missile frigate USS Ingraham (FFG-61) takes on fuel from the starboard side of the fast combat support ship USS Sacramento (AOE-1) while the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson receives cargo via Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS). U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Dustin Howell (030210-N-3241H-122).

The Pacific Ocean, Feb. 19, 2003 — Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) in formation, perform a fly-by. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Carol Warden (030219-N-5884W-028).

Santa Rita, Guam, Mar. 1, 2003 — The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) pulls out of Apra Harbor following her first ever port call to the island. Carl Vinson and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) were on deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Nathanael T. Miller (030301-N-7293M-095).

An S-2B of the "World Famous and Internationally Traveled Screwbirds" (VS-33 squadron) gets ready to take off from the number 3 cat aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), 27 April 2003.

The Pacific Ocean, May 17, 2003 — The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) steams away from Mount Suribachi and the island of Iwo Jima, Japan. During World War II this island was the site of a significant naval amphibious assault, where on February 19, 1945, over 30,000 U.S. Marines and Sailors went ashore facing heavily fortified Japanese forces. U.S. casualties included over 8,700 combat deaths and over 19,000 wounded. 22,000 Japanese perished during the heated battle. The Carl Vinson Strike force departed Bremerton in mid-January. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Inez Lawson. (030517-N-7265L-141).

Philippine Sea, Jun. 8, 2003 — USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) turns into the wind at the beginning of flight operations. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Force would remain in the Western Pacific while the forward-deployed USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) underwent maintenance in order to maintain a responsible defensive posture in the region. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Chris M. Valdez (030608-N-3241H-043).

South China Sea, Aug. 6, 2003 — USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and her crew prepare to anchor outside Hong Kong Island for a scheduled liberty call. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Third Class Martin S. Fuentes (030806-N-5555F-009).

South China Sea, Aug. 16, 2003 — The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) sails in the South China Sea completing seven months of an extended deployment in the Western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Jonathan M. Cirino (# 030816-N-7267C-001).

Pacific Ocean, Jan. 29, 2004 — A film crew from Columbia Pictures embarked aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) film the launch of an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Blue Diamonds" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Four Six (VFA-146). The captured footage will be used for the upcoming production of the motion picture Stealth. The Bremerton, Washington based nuclear powered aircraft carrier is currently underway for the first time since returning from an eight and half month western pacific deployment. Carl Vinson is conducting training with Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) and units of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Dustin Howell. (040129-N-3241H-035).

Airmen advance to inspect a mock aircraft crash site after the fire was contained during a mass casualty drill on the flight deck of USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) off the coast of Southern California, June 3, 2004. The carrier departed her homeport of Bremerton, WA, to reunite with Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) and conduct their next phase of readiness training in preparation for an upcoming deployment. DoD photo by Airman Refugio Carrillo, U.S. Navy (photo # 040603-N-9446C-036).

Pacific Ocean, Sep. 11, 2004 — The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) approaches the first channel marker on her way into port at Naval Station North Island, San Diego. Carl Vinson was transiting to operating areas off the Southern California coast to join Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) and other forces from the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG) for the start of their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Doug Houser (# 040911-N-5902H-002).

Iraq, Mar. 27, 2005 — An F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the "Argonauts" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Four Seven (VFA-147), rolls into a turn while flying a combat mission over Iraq. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group was conducting operations in support of multi-national forces in Iraq and maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf. Carl Vinson would end her deployment with a homeport shift to Norfolk, Va., and would conduct a three-year refuel and complex overhaul. U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Don Berry (#050327-N-6694B-001).

Persian Gulf, Mar. 31, 2005 — The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) turns downwind in preparation for recovery of fixed-wing aircraft during flight operations in the Persian Gulf. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Dusty Howell (# 050331-N-3241H-018).

Military Sealift Command (MSC) underway replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193) provides fuel and supplies to the guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG-89) and aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) during a replenishment at sea (RAS) evolution in the Persian Gulf, 14 May 2005, while MSC combat stores ship USNS Spica (T-AFS 9) steams alongside using helicopters to conduct a vertical replenishment (VERTREP). The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group was deployed conducting operations in support of multi-national forces in Iraq and maritime security operations in order to set the conditions for security and stability in the region. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier would end this deployment with a homeport shift to Norfolk, Va., to commence a three-year refuel and complex overhaul. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Dusty Howell (# 050514-N-3241H-002).

Persian Gulf, Jun. 5, 2005 — In an exceptional display of pride and patriotism the "Battle Flag" is unfurled aboard the "Gold Eagle" as she makes her way through the Persian Gulf. The Carl Vinson Strike Group was deployed conducting operations in support of multi-national forces in Iraq and maritime security operations in order to set the conditions for security and stability in region. Carl Vinson would end her deployment with a homeport shift to Norfolk, Va., and commence a three-year refuel and complex overhaul. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Chris M. Valdez (# 050605-N-0905V-014).

The sun rises over the flight deck of USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), underway in the Persian Gulf, June 16, 2005. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group was conducting operations in support of multi-national forces in Iraq and maritime security operations in order to set the conditions for security and stability in the region. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Matthew M. Todhunter (photo # 050616-N-0380T-019).

Two F/A-18C Hornets, assigned to the "Blue Diamonds" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Four Six (VFA-146), and two F/A‑18F Super Hornets, assigned to the "Black Knights" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Five Four (VFA-154), perform a fly-by over USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), June 30, 2005, to mark the completion of the final combat missions flown over Iraq for Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9). The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group was deployed to the Persian Gulf, conducting operations in support of multi-national forces in Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Chris M. Valdez (photo # 050630-N-0905V-004).

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is towed from pier 14 on board Naval Station Norfolk to the Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard, November 11, 2005, to begin the ship's refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH). The carrier would have her nuclear fuel replenished and would be upgraded with the latest technology enabling her to serve for another 25 years. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Chris Valdez (photo # 051111-N-0905V-128).

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) arrived at Northrop Grumman's Newport News sector on Nov. 11, 2005 for her one and only refueling and complex overhaul in a 50-year life span.

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) sits in dry dock 11 at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard painted red with primer due to ongoing preservation (March 6, 2006). The carrier was undergoing her scheduled refueling complex overhaul (RCOH). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Joshua Hammond (photo # 060306-N-7227H-006).

The signal bridge is lifted off of the island of USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) as the ship goes through her refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard, March 29, 2006. RCOH is an extensive yard period that all Nimitz-class aircraft carriers go through near the mid-point of their 50-year life cycle. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Matthew Todhunter (photo # 060329-N-0380T-007).

Newport News, Va., Feb. 21, 2007 — A portion of a newly manufactured mast is lifted via crane onto the superstructure of USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) by employees from Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard. The installation of the ship's mast is a major milestone along the road towards re-delivering the aircraft carrier to the fleet for another 25 years of responding to the nation's tasking. Carl Vinson was undergoing her scheduled refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard. The RCOH is an extensive yard period that all Nimitz-class aircraft carriers go through near the mid-point of their 50-year life cycle. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chris Henry (# 070221-N-9703H-021).

Newport News, Va., Feb. 21, 2007 — A portion of a newly manufactured mast is lifted via crane onto the superstructure of USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) by employees from Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Myriam M. Padilla (# 070221-N-1317P-006).

Carl Vinson (CVN-70) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, 1 July 2009, flying a broom on her mast to signify a successful sea trial. The aircraft carrier departed on sea trials on 28 June, following a 3.5-year Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH). RCOH, performed by Northrop Grumman Corporation, includes extensive modernization work to more than 2,300 compartments, hundreds of system upgrades, and over 20 million man-hours of work, to include defueling and refueling the nuclear reactors. Sea trials are conducted to test systems, components and demonstrate operations at sea, and also include high-speed runs and a demonstration of the carrier's other capabilities.

Photo by Chris Oxley.

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) operating off the coast of Haiti, 15 January 2010. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) and several East Coast-based squadrons and ships were conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations to assist the Caribbean nation in response to the 12 January 2010 earthquake disaster. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Barker (# 100115-N-4774B-898).

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) awaits the return of Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) aircraft along the coast of Haiti, 15 January 2010. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and her Air Wing, along with several East Coast-based squadrons and ships, arrived in Haiti 15 January to provide food, supplies, humanitarian aid and emergency assistance following the country’s earthquake disaster of 12 January. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Candice Villarreal (# 100115-N-6247V-553).