SAN DIEGO -- The USS Nimitz (pictured, below) arrived at its new homeport of San Diego Tuesday, and sailors were reunited with family members on the dock at NAS North Island.

"Today's a great day. It's good to be home and have my family meet the ship on the pier for the first time," Chief Warrent Officer Kevin Lewis said, whose wife and two daughters met him with "Welcome Home" signs and flower leis.

The arrival of the aircraft carrier and its 3,800-member crew was scheduled long before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the East Coast.

Following a three-year overhaul, the ship sailed around the tip of South America and docked in Hawaii on the way to its new homeport.

At the pier Tuesday morning, there was a carnival atmosphere, as early arriving family members were greeted by a band, booths selling T-shirts, and tourism representatives handing out information. Later, they erupted into cheers as the vessel came into sight.

Miss California and a "Beetlejuice" costumed character also were on hand.

Ten new moms showed off children that their husbands had not yet seen, said Vanessa Siedlecki, the president of "Team Nimitz," the ship's family support group.

Siedlecki counts herself among that group, since husband John, a master chief, had not yet seen 2-week old Zachary.

"I remember his reaction to our first son when he was born," Siedlecki said. "He was here for that. He missed it this time around."

First in line for a kiss at the pier was Christy Hernandez from El Paso, who was greeting her fiance, E-3 Alfredo Madrid, with their 4-month-old son, A.J.

"He's beautiful," said Madrid, who had seen his son before. "I'm very excited, very happy."

The major overhaul, which included the refueling and refurbishing of its nuclear reactors, "adds another 25 years to her life," according to Cmdr. Jack Papp of Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The Nimitz was previously homeported in Bremerton, Wash. and underwent the overhaul in Norfolk, Va.

While en route to San Diego, the carrier participated in exercises with the Brazilian navy.

Officials said it's unlikely that the carrier will be deployed any time soon to participate in the nation's war on terrorism.

"It is possible, yes," Executive Officer David Dykhoff, the ship's second-in-command, said. But it is unlikely to happen anytime soon, as several U.S. aircraft carriers are already within striking distance of Afghanistan, he said.

Nimitz Capt. Steve Firks said that the crew will train for any contingency. "Our mission in the near-term is to get ready to deploy and get the crew trained so that when we're called, we're able to do our mission," Firks said.

The USS John C. Stennis is en route from San Diego to the Arabian Sea and is expected to be deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Additional Resources:

Visit the official Web site for the USS Nimitz