USS Nimitz in Panama
The President of the Navy League Panama chapter, Stephen Harrison Thomas, visits the USS Nimitz
March 30, 2026
A Visit Aboard USS Nimitz
A Real Privilege
As many of you will know, the arrival of USS Nimitz off Panama is a pretty historic occasion—the first time in over 50 years that a U.S. aircraft carrier has visited Panamanian waters.
For me personally, it turned into something even more special: a chance to step aboard—and, I have to say, a real privilege.
Originally, the Navy League had been invited to attend the reception on board, but as often happens with large-scale events, numbers were reduced and unfortunately the invitation couldn’t be extended to the wider group. However, thanks to some great support from our friends at the U.S. Embassy—particularly Lt Cdr Braden Rostad (USCG) and Commander Josh Bergen (USN)—I was fortunate enough to still make it aboard.
And I’m very glad I did.
A Brief History of USS Nimitz
Commissioned in 1975, USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is the lead ship of her class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and has been a cornerstone of U.S. naval power for over five decades. Named after Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, a key figure in the Pacific campaign of the Second World War, the ship has served across multiple theatres, supporting operations from the Cold War through to modern-day deployments. With a flight deck capable of launching and recovering dozens of aircraft, Nimitz represents both the scale and reach of carrier aviation at its peak.
Beyond her operational history, Nimitz also holds a place in popular culture. She starred in the 1980 film The Final Countdown, in which Kirk Douglas played the ship’s captain. The film, which features the carrier travelling back in time to the eve of the attack on Pearl Harbor, showcased real flight operations and gave audiences a rare, authentic glimpse of life aboard a U.S. supercarrier—something that, having now stepped aboard myself, I can say still feels just as impressive in real life.
From Amador to the Carrier
The visit began at Amador, where around 250 guests gathered to be ferried out to the ship. There was a real buzz in the air—dignitaries, business leaders, government officials, and a wide mix of interesting people.
Most were dressed in the recommended white guayabera, while I stood out slightly in a black suit. That said, it allowed me to wear my wings, medals, and fleet-era cap—and in the end, that turned out to be a good move, as it sparked quite a few conversations later on.
Arriving
After a short wait (and watching the U.S. Ambassador and entourage make a rather efficient boarding!), we set off by ferry. We passed close by USS Gridley before making the roughly 40-minute journey out to where Nimitz lay at anchor.
Boarding was via a barge at the stern, entering through a hatch just above sea level—very much the “real Navy” way in, not the polished visitor entrance you might imagine.
A couple of steep ladders later, we emerged into the hangar bay—and what a sight. A Seahawk helicopter on one side, an F/A-18 on the other, and sailors everywhere. It immediately brought back memories of my own time in the Navy.
There was a relaxed reception atmosphere, with food, drinks (yes, even a beer!), and the chance to meet ship’s company and fellow guests. I met my friend Commander Josh Bergen, who outlined the plan for the evening and he promised to get me an introduction to the Captain so I could present my new book "Falkland Skies" to him. I had brought a few copies aboard to present to the ship.
Ceremony and Conversations
The formal part of the visit began with the arrival of senior leadership via the aircraft elevator—always an impressive sight. Speeches followed from the The US Ambassador to Panama, Marine Corps General Francis L. Donovan, the Commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Rear Adm. Cassidy Norman, the commander of Carrier Strike Group 11 (CSG-11), and the Captain Joseph J. Furco Commanding Officer of USS Nimitz.
After that, things became much more informal, with plenty of time to mingle.
This was one of the highlights for me—meeting a wide range of people, from F/A-18 pilots to senior officers. I was also able to present copies of my book Falkland Skies to several individuals, including Captain Betancourt (the senior naval officer at the U.S. Embassy), the Carrier Air Group Commander, and ultimately the ship’s Commanding Officer.
Each conversation was engaging in its own way, but what stood out most was the shared understanding that comes from time spent in aviation and at sea—you pick it up straight away.
Up to the Flight Deck
Later in the evening, we were invited up to the flight deck. Climbing up through the ship again (past a portrait of Admiral Chester Nimitz himself), we emerged into the night among the aircraft.
Standing on the flight deck of an operational carrier is something special. Even in low light, with the Seahawk helicopters and F/A-18s around us, you could really feel the scale and capability of the ship.
This isn’t a museum—it’s a working warship—and that makes all the difference.
A Personal Reflection
On the way back down, riding one of the aircraft elevators, you could sense the age of the ship—Nimitz is over 50 years old now, but also its enduring strength and presence.
For me, the whole experience was more than just an interesting visit. It genuinely took me back to my own Navy days, the atmosphere, the people, the feel of the ship. That’s not something you get very often.
It was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be invited aboard.
A Thank You
Finally, a big thank you to:
- Lt Cdr Braden Rostad (USCG)
- Commander Josh Bergen (USN)
for making this visit possible.
And also a personal thank you to Captain Daniel Betancourt, US Navy, senior officer to the U.S. Embassy in Panama, for being so welcoming, so helpful throughout, and for his genuine appreciation of my book (I hope he likes it)
And while it was a shame that more members of the Navy League couldn’t attend, I hope this gives you a flavour of what was a truly memorable experience.