U.S. Naval War College Supports USS Nimitz Southern Seas 2026 Deployment

U.S. Naval War College (NWC) faculty from the College of Maritime Operational Warfare (CMOW), College of Leadership and Ethics (CLE), and International Programs (IP) department embarked aboard the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during the carrier strike group’s Southern Seas 2026 deployment in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations, circumnavigating the South America continent from March to June of 2026.

CMOW Assoc. Prof. Sean Carroll, CLE Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lisa Kerr and IP Assist. Prof. Jonathan Robinson represented the war college underway during a portion of the deployment, during which time they provided integration training for an embarked international staff of eight officers and one chief petty officer from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico.

“The experienced strategists and experts on the U.S. Naval War College faculty don't just educate the next generation of military leaders in classrooms and auditoriums here in Rhode Island,” said Rear Adm. Darryl Walker, president of the war college. “Throughout the year, war college researchers and practitioners can be found all over the world, providing invaluable knowledge and a different prospective to operational warfighters underway, engaged in exercises and commanding tactical forces through maritime operations centers. The Naval War College's support to the mighty USS Nimitz' Southern Seas deployment is another example of our team's agility and impact on the warfighting readiness of our combined global military.”

The NWC training – which consisted in part of academics, practical activities and a tabletop exercise – ensured the international military personnel were able to integrate with their U.S. Navy counterparts, contributing to the watch, and participating in operational and exercise planning, among other functions.

“The USS Nimitz’s Southern Seas 2026 deployment provided a unique opportunity to enhance interoperability and build proficiency with our partner nations across the maritime domain,” said Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (NAVSOUTH/FOURTHFLT) and an NWC graduate. “Deployments of this magnitude demonstrate our unwavering commitment to a secure and stable Western Hemisphere. This historic mission is a shining example of our dedication to strengthening regional partnerships, building mutual trust, and countering shared threats together.”

The 2026 iteration was the 11th iteration since 2007. The NWC faculty team of Carroll, Kerr, and Robinson also embarked USS George Washington (CVN-73) for the start of Southern Seas 2024. Carroll returned later in that deployment with six other professors to continue their work with the Embarked International Staff and to engage with faculty and students at the Peruvian Naval War College.

“The most enduring outcome of this deployment will be the relationships we built,” said Carrier Strike Group 11 Commander Rear Adm. Cassidy Norman, also a Naval War College alum. “Whether conducting complex operations at sea, welcoming distinguished visitors aboard USS Nimitz, or training side-by-side with our partners, we demonstrated that American leadership is measured not only by strength, but also by trust. We leave this region with stronger relationships, deeper interoperability, and a shared commitment to ensuring our hemisphere remains secure, prosperous, and free.”

Nimitz-class aircraft carriers remain the pinnacle of mobile projection of naval air power and forward operational presence. The successful conclusion of Southern Seas 2026 reinforces that no other weapons system possesses the responsiveness, endurance, multi-dimensional might, inherent battlespace awareness, and command-and-control capabilities of a U.S. carrier strike group.

In addition to the namesake carrier, the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group consists of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101). USNAVSOUTH/FOURTHFLT is the trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central and South America maritime forces improving regional unity and security.

Established in 1884, NWC informs today’s decision-makers and educates tomorrow’s leaders by providing educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop their ability to hedge aggressively, innovate continuously, fight distributively, delegate confidently, and command with clarity within complex battlespaces.