Overview
- U.S. Southern Command confirmed Monday that USS Nimitz, escorted by destroyer USS Gridley, will conduct the Southern Seas 2026 deployment with port visits to Brazil, Chile, Panama and Jamaica.
- The ships are slated to be in Panamanian waters from March 29 to April 2, with Nimitz anchored offshore and Gridley berthed at Panama City’s Amador Cruise Port.
- The deployment will route around South America through the Strait of Magellan, and the Panama Canal Authority said the vessels will not transit the canal.
- The mission includes planned activities with the navies of ten countries in the region and will end with the ships shifting to a new U.S. East Coast homeport on June 20.
- A Navy spokesperson said detailed planning is underway for partner-nation visits, and the carrier’s air wing and crew size underscore a sizable U.S. presence focused on training and interoperability.