Jamaica welcomes USS Nimitz on goodwill mission

The Jamaican government has welcomed the arrival of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier in Kingston Harbour, describing the visit as a reflection of the strong and enduring relationship between Jamaica and the United States.

Education, Skills, Youth and Information Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon and Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz received an exclusive tour of the vessel on Saturday as it made its way to Kingston on the final stop of the Southern Seas 2026 deployment.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, one of the largest naval vessels in the world, is scheduled to remain in Jamaica from June 1 to June 5, during which crew members will participate in a range of community outreach, educational and cultural activities.

Morris Dixon said the visit presents a unique opportunity for Jamaican students to gain exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through firsthand experiences aboard the carrier.

“There will also be some students from across the country who will be able to go onto the carrier and to see it, to understand STEM in a very different way,” she said.

The minister added that sailors will also take part in school refurbishment projects and sports activities with young people across the island.

“Members of the crew will also be going to schools in Jamaica to help to refurbish them and to do some work. They’ll also be playing sports with young people from across the country,” Morris Dixon said.

A highlight of the tour for the ministers was meeting sailors who were born in Jamaica or are of Jamaican heritage and are now serving aboard the vessel.

“Today it was really special to come on this carrier to see Jamaican young men and women who were born here that are now in the U.S. Navy working in really highly specialised areas, doing really well, also flying the Jamaican flag really high in this place,” Morris Dixon said.

Vaz expressed gratitude to the U.S. Embassy in Kingston for facilitating the visit, describing the experience as a rare opportunity.

“This is an unforgettable moment, unforgettable day, things that you dream about, that you’re actually experiencing. Probably few civilians get this opportunity in a lifetime and so I want to thank you,” he said.

The minister said the visit highlights the deep ties between Jamaica and the United States across sectors including education, transportation and security.

“The relationship between our two countries is unshakable, unbreakable and has a long, long legacy of cooperation,” Vaz said, adding that he looked forward to welcoming the crew to enjoy Jamaica’s food, music and culture.

The U.S. Embassy said the visit forms part of Southern Seas 2026, a multinational maritime cooperation deployment led by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command. Jamaica serves as the final stop on the mission, which has taken the carrier throughout South America and the Caribbean.

Chargé d’Affaires Scott Renner said the visit represents an important milestone in the bilateral relationship.

“Beyond strengthening maritime cooperation and regional security, this visit creates opportunities for meaningful people-to-people connections and economic benefits for local communities,” Renner said. “We are proud to welcome these sailors to Jamaica and to continue building on the strong ties between our two nations.”

The visit will include subject-matter expert exchanges, demonstrations of aircraft carrier operations for government officials, members of the Jamaica Defence Force and university students, as well as community service projects and youth engagement activities.

Crew members will also have the opportunity to explore the island during their stay, providing additional business for local tourism operators, restaurants and other enterprises.

According to the U.S. Embassy, Southern Seas has been strengthening maritime partnerships and fostering regional goodwill since its launch in 2007. Officials said this year’s deployment reflects continued U.S. commitment to working with regional partners such as Jamaica to advance shared security goals and promote stability across the hemisphere.