NORFOLK, Va. — The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) departed Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 30 for Newport News Shipbuilding, beginning the next major phase of the ship’s Refueling and Complex Overhaul.

The move to Newport News transitions Truman from its pre-overhaul preparation period into the shipyard phase of RCOH, a once-in-a-carrier-lifetime maintenance and modernization effort designed to prepare the ship for the second half of its planned 50-year service life.

“Winning in combat begins with winning in the shipyard,” said Capt. Dan Prochazka, Truman’s commanding officer. “Everything we do during RCOH is ultimately about ensuring Harry S. Truman is ready to fight and win when our nation calls. The work ahead may look different from operations at sea, but it demands the same discipline, teamwork and commitment to mission. Our Sailors and shipyard partners are laying the foundation for Truman’s next decades of service, and every production milestone we achieve brings this warship one step closer to returning to the fleet stronger, more capable and ready for combat.”

Truman began its formal Smart Start period in November 2025, launching months of preparation for the overhaul. Since then, Sailors have worked alongside Navy and industry partners to prepare shipboard spaces for industrial work, establish temporary services, relocate equipment and transition many crew-support functions to APL-61 alongside the carrier.

Those preparations have allowed the command to continue supporting its crew while opening increasing portions of the ship to the extensive industrial work required during RCOH. The effort has included removing and relocating equipment, installing temporary services and readying spaces for major shipyard production.

The transition comes after an operationally demanding period for Truman and its crew. The carrier returned from deployment in June 2025 following operations in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation, then moved rapidly into post-deployment maintenance, certification and preparation for RCOH.

During RCOH, Truman will undergo extensive maintenance, modernization and refueling of the ship’s nuclear propulsion plants. Work will affect nearly every part of the carrier, including propulsion and electrical systems, combat capabilities, habitability spaces and supporting infrastructure. The overhaul requires sustained coordination among the ship’s crew, Newport News Shipbuilding, Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Maritime and other Navy and industry partners.

The shipyard period will progress through years of industrial production, restoration, testing and certification before Truman returns to sea. As work advances, the crew and shipyard team will move from major production into system restoration, propulsion plant testing, total ship testing, fast cruise and, ultimately, sea trials.

For Truman’s Sailors, the move marks a change in environment but not in mission. Throughout RCOH, the crew will remain responsible for the ship’s safety, security and readiness while working alongside the shipyard workforce to support production milestones and prepare the carrier for future operations.

Truman’s success during RCOH will be built through daily attention to safety, quality, accountability and disciplined execution as the crew and shipyard team work toward each production milestone.

USS Harry S. Truman was commissioned July 25, 1998, and is named for the 33rd president of the United States. Since commissioning, the carrier and its crews have deployed around the world in support of U.S. national security objectives.

From Courtesy Story, Oct. 1, 2026