US Navy Nimitz Class Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier leaving Norfolk Naval Station going east past Fort Monroe Hampton VA.
She was commissioned in 1989 as the fifth unit of her class. She recently completed her mid life Refueling and Complex Overhaul/Service Life Extension Program Refit at Newport News Shipbuilding and is expected to serve until 2039. Highlights from her career include helping to evacuate US Military forces from the Philippines after a volcano eruption in 1991, launching strikes against Sudan and Al-Qaeda targets in 1998, and strikes against Iraq and Afghanistan since 9-11.
She is currently undergoing trails and training cruises. She is armed with NATO Sea Sparrow and RAM Surface to Air Missiles, 20mm Mk 15 Phalanx Close In Weapon Systems, and 25mm and 0.50 cal Machine Guns. She carries up to 100 aircraft (depending on type), with over 5500 sailors at 30+ knots.
On her deck you can see a F/A-18 Hornet that has been deactivated and is now used as a deck trainer. When embarked her aircraft fly to and meet her offshore from their shore side bases.


http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/72.htm
https://www.navysite.de/cvn/cvn72.html
http://uscarriers.net/cvn72history.htm