The USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is the third United States Navy Nimitz class super carrier and is named after Carl Vinson, a Congressman from Georgia, in recognition of his contributions to the US Navy. The ship was launched in 1980, undertook her maiden voyage in 1983, and underwent Refueling and Overhaul between 2005 and 2009. Carl Vinson's call sign is "Gold Eagle".