USS Nimitz (CVN 68) will make the first-ever visit to the Indian port of Chennai. This will be also a first by a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier visiting the Chennai port.

In a e-mail communication to FIDSNS, LCDR Kim Marks, APR (NIMITZ Strike Group Public Affairs Officer) wrote “I can confirm that the Nimitz is scheduled to visit Chennai the first week in July. While we are visiting, there will be leisure activities scheduled for the crew, and more than 700 Sailors will be participating in community relations projects throughout the city. There will be an official reception for civilian and military leaders on board Nimitz and USS Pinckney (DDG 91) will host a group of Indian naval officers on board for dinner one night. U.S. Naval officers have also been invited to a reception on the Navy installation and the Indian ship SAVITRI will be hosting a group of Sailors on board for lunch. Unfortunately neither of the ships will be open for general public tours while in port.”

In past Nimitz participated in Exercise Malabar 2005. The multi-national training exercise was conducted Sept 26 – Oct. 5, 2005 off the coast of India. Malabar is an ongoing exercise that has been conducted for the last 8 years.