An official visit to underscore a long history of security cooperation between The Bahamas and the United States took place on the USS Nimitz in June 2026. The aircraft carrier and flagship of Carrier Strike Group 11 hosted a delegation of senior Bahamian officials for a tour of the ship and discussions about the importance of the bilateral relationship. The visit provided “a firsthand look at the unmatched capabilities of a U.S. aircraft carrier operating at peak proficiency,” according to a U.S. Navy news release.
Invited guests included The Bahamas’ National Security Minister Myles Laroda, Energy, Utilities and Aviation Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis and Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Commodore Floyd Moxey. The visit was hosted by the U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas Herschel Walker. Accompanying Walker was strike group Commander Rear Adm. Cassidy “Dudley” Norman and Defense Attaché Commander Victor Lange. The June 14 visit took place as the Nimitz crossed through Bahamian waters on its final voyage after a half-century of military service.
The visit occurred at the end of the Nimitz’s participation in Southern Seas 2026. The 11th such exercise since 2007, Southern Seas demonstrated the strong diplomatic and military integration between the U.S. and key partners in Latin America and the Caribbean region. During its deployment, the carrier hosted 339 high-profile visitors and 3,100 guests during port visits.
During the exercise, the Nimitz and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley circumnavigated South America. The U.S. ships executed complex passing exercises and operations with partner naval forces. The strike group engaged with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Uruguay, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. The ship also cemented ties with several nations by organizing port visits in Brazil, Chile, Jamaica and Panama, the Navy release stated. Of particular importance was the advanced instruction that a dozen officers from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana and Mexico received from U.S. Naval War College professors and Destroyer Squadron 9 Sailors and officers on detailed operational planning at sea.
“The USS Nimitz’s Southern Seas 2026 deployment provided a unique opportunity to enhance interoperability and build proficiency with our partner nations across the maritime domain,” said Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet. “Deployments of this magnitude demonstrate our unwavering commitment to a secure and stable Western Hemisphere. This historic mission is a shining example of our dedication to strengthening regional partnerships, building mutual trust, and countering shared threats together.”
Before departing for its home port of Norfolk, Virginia, where it will begin its decommissioning process, the ship’s stop in The Bahamas served as a reminder of the vibrant defense and diplomatic relationship between the nations. Since The Bahamas achieved independence in 1973, the countries have collaborated closely in counternarcotics operations, notably Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos. The Rhode Island National Guard also has worked closely with the RBDF on training and education exchanges for two decades. The U.S. provides about $13 million each year in military training, education and other support to the RBDF.
The Nimitz, the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, undertook its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean Sea in July 1976. The ship is scheduled to be deactivated in March 2027 and dismantled by 2030, the Navy said.
The carrier’s visit to The Bahamas included a tour of the ship’s navigation bridge and flight deck, an observation of live flight operations and a naval power demonstration, stated a news release from the U.S. Embassy in The Bahamas.
“The United States and The Bahamas aren’t just friends and neighbors — we’re family,” Walker said. “The Bahamas and Caribbean are America’s third border, and in many ways our first — it is where our shared security begins. This visit is a powerful reminder that Bahamian security is American security, and we are committed to protecting these waters together.”