Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran visited aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and held an all-hands call, July 25.

He spoke to Sailors aboard about Nimitz's extended planned incremental maintenance availability (EPIA) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, and took a tour of the ship to see how Nimitz is coming along in its maintenance as the ship gets closer to getting out to sea for the first time since January 2015.

"The maintenance availability was supposed to last 16 months and is going to end up lasting around 20 months," said Moran. "I know you guys want to get out of here. Nimitz has been running hard and we need her last nine years to run as well as her first nine years, so let's make sure we are getting the work done that we need to."

Following the tour Moran presented four Sailors with Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals on the flight deck.

This was the first time Moran visited the ship since being appointed VCNO in May.

Moran previously served as chief of naval personnel for nearly three years, where he was responsible for planning and programming Navy manpower, training and education.

Nimitz began EPIA January 2015 to receive major upgrades during a period of deep maintenance and modernization coordinated using the efforts of the ship's work force and the technical expertise of civilian workers.

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