The USS Nimitz is widely reported as taking the title of longest-serving U.S. aircraft carrier from the USS Enterprise, often referred to as “Big E.” Both outlets note that the Nimitz was commissioned on May 3, 1975, making it 51 years old at the time of the reporting. The claim centers on the carrier’s length of service since commissioning, compared with the prior record holder’s service duration. The sources do not provide additional details such as dates of the Enterprise’s commissioning or decommissioning, nor do they discuss the operational status or specific milestones behind the transition. Overall, the reporting focuses on the commissioning date of the USS Nimitz and the resulting service length that supports the longest-serving designation. No competing figures or alternative metrics are presented in the provided excerpts.