George Washington Carrier Strike Group Departs for Carrier Qualifications

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George Washington Carrier Strike Group Departs for Carrier Qualifications
UNITED STATES - 18 MAY 2010

The George Washington Carrier Strike Group centered on the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS George Washington (CVN 73), departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan May 18 to conduct carrier qualifications in preparation for its upcoming annual deployment cycle.

George Washington is conducting equipment testing and carrier landing qualifications with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, following a 121-day Selective Restricted Availability (SRA) period and four-day sea trials.

During the SRA, multiple repairs and upgrades were made to operational systems and GW's 3,360 spaces. These renovations required more than 213,000 man-days of work. Specific repairs included upgrades, corrective and preventative maintenance to air-conditioning units, fire fighting systems, aircraft elevators, navigation systems, and crew habitability spaces.

Commanded by Rear Adm. Kevin Donegan, the George Washington Carrier Strike Group with more than 5,000 Sailors, is also comprised of 7th Fleet's: CVW-5; Destroyer Squadron 15 (DESRON 15) and the guided missile cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Cowpens (CG 63). Commanded by Capt. David A. Lausman, the USS George Washington (CVN 73) replaced the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) last September as the flagship for the permanently forward-deployed carrier strike group.

File Photo: USS George Washington (CVN 73)

[KS]

File Photo: USS George Washington (CVN 73)

I can only envy the American Navy for having such a beautiful yet might beast.

[applesauce]

I can only envy the American Navy for having such a beautiful yet might beast.

the world envies the US navy

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 26, 2010) The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) is underway during a partial lunar eclipse. USS George Washington, the U.S. Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean.



PACIFIC OCEAN (June 26, 2010) Sailors assigned to the weapons department aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) fire an M2 .50 caliber machine gun during a night live-fire exercise. The live-fire exercise demonstrated the ship's capabilities while training for night boat attack procedures. USS George Washington, the U.S. Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean.



EAST CHINA SEA (June 19, 2010) An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Diamondbacks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). USS George Washington, the U.S. Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean.



EAST CHINA SEA (June 15, 2010) An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). USS George Washington, the U.S. Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean.