Propulsion: Two nuclear reactors, four shafts. Length: 1,092 feet (332.85 meters). Beam: 134 feet (40.84 meters) ; Flight Deck Width: 252 feet (76.8 meters). Displacement: Approximately 97,000 tons (87,996.9 metric tons) full load. Speed: 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour). Crew: Ship's Company: 3,200 - Air Wing: 2,480. Armament: Two or three (depending on modification) NATO Sea Sparrow launchers, 20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts: (3 on Nimitz and Dwight D. Eisenhower and 4 on Vinson and later ships of the class.). Aircraft: 85.

 

The nuclear-powered USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) was contracted on March 29, 1988, and the keel was laid on March 13, 1991, at Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, VA.

The ship was christened on November 11, 1993, in honor of Senator John Cornelius Stennis (D-Mississippi), who served in the Senate from 1947 to 1989. The daughter of the ship’s namesake, Mrs. Margaret Stennis-Womble, was the ship’s sponsor. Stennis was commissioned on December 9, 1995, at Naval Station Norfolk, VA, and conducted flight deck certification in January 1996. The first arrested landing was by a VX-23 F-14B. The ship conducted numerous Carrier Qualifications and Independent Steaming Exercises off the East Coast throughout the next two years. Among these events was the first carrier landing of an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet on January 18, 1997.

USS John C. Stennis and the smaller British Invincible-class HMS Illustrious on a joint patrol, April 1998. On February 26, 1998, with Carrier Air Wing Seven embarked, Stennis left Norfolk for her maiden deployment, transiting the Suez Canal on March 7 and arriving in the Persian Gulf on March 11, 1998. The ship traveled 8,020 nautical miles in 274 hours, an average speed of 29.4 knots (54.4 km/h), to relieve USS George Washington (CVN-73) in conducting Operation Southern Watch missions. Stennis departed the Persian Gulf on July 19, 1998, for her new homeport of Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California, arriving on August 26, 1998. In October 1998, Stennis entered a six-month Phased Incremental Availability for maintenance and upgrades at North Island, returning to sea in April 1999. During the maintenance period, a jet blast deflector collapsed, severely injuring two sailors. On November 30, 1999, Stennis ran aground in a shallow area adjacent to the turning basin near North Island. Silt clogged the intake pipes to the steam condensing systems for the nuclear reactor plants, causing the carrier’s two nuclear reactors to be shut down (one reactor by crew, the other automatically) for a period of 45 minutes. Stennis was towed back to her pier for maintenance and observation for the next two days. The cleanup cost was about $2 million.

On January 7, 2000, Stennis deployed to the Persian Gulf to relieve USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) in Operation Southern Watch. During the deployment, the ship made port visits to South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia, before returning to San Diego on July 3, 2000. Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Stennis conducted Noble Eagle missions off the U.S. West Coast.

On November 12, 2001, two months earlier than scheduled, the ship left on her third deployment to the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of responsibility in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, returning to San Diego on May 28, 2002. From June 2002 to January 2003, JCS underwent a seven-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA).

From May 24 to November 1, 2004, Stennis conducted her fourth major overseas deployment, participating in Exercise Northern Edge 2004 in the Gulf of Alaska, Rim of the Pacific (RimPac) Exercise off Hawaii, exercises with Kitty Hawk off Japan, and goodwill visits to Japan, Malaysia, and Western Australia. Shortly after returning from deployment to San Diego, JCS changed her homeport to Naval Station Bremerton, Washington, on January 19, 2005. Once at Bremerton, Stennis underwent an 11-month Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA), the first time she had been dry-docked since commissioning. Upgrades included a new mast.

On January 20, 2007, Stennis set sail for the Persian Gulf as part of an increase in U.S. military presence within the Middle East. Stennis arrived in the area on February 19, 2007, joining USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the United States Fifth Fleet area of operations. This marked the first time since 2003 that there were two aircraft carrier battle groups in the region simultaneously. On May 23, 2007, Stennis, along with eight other warships including the aircraft carrier Nimitz and amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard, passed through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Navy officials said it was the largest such move since 2003. On August 31, 2007, Stennis returned to Bremerton.

Stennis departed Bremerton for a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific on January 13, 2009. On April 24, the ship arrived in Singapore. That same day, one of the ship's sailors was crushed and killed while working from a small harbor boat to secure a drain that discharges oily water from Stennis’ aircraft catapults. On April 29, the ship's executive officer, Commander David L. Burnham, was relieved by Rear Admiral Mark A. Vance over unspecified personal conduct. Burnham was reassigned to a base in San Diego, pending an investigation. After participating in operations in the Persian Gulf, exercises with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and the Republic of Korea, as well as joint exercise Northern Edge 2009, USS Stennis returned from deployment in early July 2009. Carrier Air Wing 9 debarked on July 6 at NAS North Island, prior to the ship's arrival at her homeport of Bremerton, WA, on July 10.

 

In 2010, USS John C. Stennis underwent a series of maintenance and training exercises to ensure continued readiness for future deployments. This period included carrier qualifications, flight deck certifications, and other essential drills to maintain the crew's proficiency and the ship's operational capabilities.

In July 2011, Stennis departed for a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and the Middle East. The carrier joined the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility, where it supported Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. During this deployment, Stennis conducted numerous sorties in support of ground operations in Afghanistan and provided maritime security in the region.

After a successful deployment, Stennis returned to her homeport in Bremerton, Washington, in early 2012. The ship then underwent routine maintenance and preparations for her next deployment. The crew conducted various training exercises to ensure readiness for future missions.

In late 2012, Stennis was called upon for a quick turnaround deployment due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. The carrier departed in August 2012 and once again operated in the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility. Stennis played a crucial role in maintaining regional stability and supporting coalition forces in Afghanistan. The ship returned to Bremerton in May 2013.

In 2014, USS John C. Stennis underwent a scheduled maintenance period, including upgrades to various systems and equipment to enhance the ship's operational capabilities. This period allowed the crew to perform necessary repairs and ensure the carrier was prepared for future deployments.

In January 2016, Stennis departed Bremerton for another deployment to the Western Pacific. The carrier participated in numerous exercises with allied navies, including the Republic of Korea Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. These joint exercises aimed to enhance interoperability and strengthen regional security alliances. During this deployment, Stennis also conducted freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to maintaining open sea lanes and challenging excessive maritime claims. The carrier returned to Bremerton in August 2016.

Throughout 2017, USS John C. Stennis focused on maintaining readiness through various training exercises and certifications. The crew conducted flight deck operations, damage control drills, and other essential training to ensure the ship's operational capabilities remained at their peak.

In early 2018, Stennis entered a Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) period at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. This maintenance period included upgrades to the ship's systems, repairs to the hull, and improvements to the living quarters for the crew. The PIA was completed in late 2018, and Stennis returned to sea for post-maintenance sea trials and certifications.

In 2019, USS John C. Stennis embarked on a deployment to the Western Pacific and the Middle East. During this deployment, the carrier supported various operations, including maritime security and joint exercises with allied navies. In May 2019, it was announced that Stennis would undergo a homeport change to Norfolk, Virginia, following the deployment.

In early 2020, USS John C. Stennis arrived at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia to begin her Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH). This extensive maintenance period, expected to last several years, includes refueling the ship's reactors, upgrading combat systems, and refurbishing living quarters and other essential areas. The RCOH will extend the carrier's service life by another 25 years, ensuring it remains a critical asset for the U.S. Navy.

Throughout 2021 and 2022, USS John C. Stennis continued to undergo significant upgrades and maintenance as part of the RCOH. This period involved extensive work on the ship's nuclear propulsion systems, combat systems, and other critical components. The crew also participated in various training programs to prepare for the ship's return to active service.

As of 2023, the RCOH for USS John C. Stennis is progressing on schedule. The carrier is expected to complete the overhaul and return to the fleet in the coming years, ready to resume its role as a key element of the U.S. Navy's carrier strike capabilities.