USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier

USS George Washington CVN 73 is the sixth ship in the Nimitz class of nuclear-powered supercarriers, and the fourth United States Navy ship to be named after George Washington, first President of the United States. USS George Washington CVN 73 was built by Newport News Shipbuilding and was commissioned July 4, 1992. In 1994, during George Washington's maiden deployment the ship served as the backdrop for the 50th anniversary of D-Day. In 1996, during its second deployment, George Washington was host to a meeting of the Joint Military Commission composed of the military leaders of the former warring factions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. USS George Washington CVN 73 also played a peacekeeping role in Operation Decisive Endeavor in Bosnia and Herzegovina and enforced the "No Fly zone" over Southern Iraq as part of Operation Southern Watch (OSW).

USS George Washington CVN 73 General characteristics
Class and type:	Nimitz-class aircraft carrier
Displacement:	Approximately 101,000 long tons (103,000 t) full load
Length:	Overall: 1,092 feet (332.8 m) Waterline: 1,040 feet (317.0 m)
Beam:	Overall: 252 ft (76.8 m) Waterline: 134 ft (40.8 m)
Draft:	Maximum navigational: 37 ft (11.3 m) Limit: 41 ft (12.5 m)
Propulsion:	2 × Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors 4 × steam turbines 4 × shafts 260,000 shp (194 MW)
Speed:	30+ knots (56+ km/h; 35+ mph)
Range:	Essentially unlimited
Complement:	Ship's company: 3,200 Air wing: 2,480
Sensors and processing systems:	AN/SPS-48E 3-D air search radar AN/SPS-49(V)5 2-D air search radar AN/SPQ-9B target acquisition radar 2 × AN/SPN-46 air traffic control radars AN/SPN-43B air traffic control radar AN/SPN-44 landing aid radars 4 × Mk 91 NSSM guidance systems 4 × Mk 95 radars
Electronic warfare and decoys:	SLQ-32A(V)4 Countermeasures suite SLQ-25A Nixie torpedo countermeasures
Armament:	2 × Mk 57 Mod3 Sea Sparrow 2 × RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile 3 × Phalanx CIWS
Armour:	Classified
Aircraft carried:	90 fixed wing and helicopters

On its third deployment from October 1997 to April 1998, USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier spent most of her six-month cruise in the Persian Gulf as the cornerstone of the U.S. military force, which compelled Iraq to allow United Nations weapons inspectors into the country.

On its fourth deployment from June 21, 2000 to December 2000, USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier again spent a large portion of the six-month deployment in the Persian Gulf as the centerpiece of the U.S. military presence there. The deployment included operations in the Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. While in the Persian Gulf, the battle group supported OSW by flying more than 800 sorties over Iraq. Surface forces supported UN sanctions against Iraq by conducting Maritime Interception Operations and diverting more than 20,000 metric tons of oil smuggled out of Iraq in violation of UN sanctions. In the Adriatic, the battle group was a stabilizing presence when tensions rose in the region after presidential elections in Yugoslavia. During the deployment, battle group ships steamed more than 400,000 nautical miles (740,000 km) and spent a combined 1800 days underway. The aircraft of Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) flew more than 9,000 sorties and made 9,000 arrested landings aboard George Washington. USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier returned to home port on December 19, 2000.

On February 13, USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier began a six-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier received upgrades to many ship systems, including berthing spaces, ventilation systems, and computer networking. On July 31 the ship began four days of sea trials before returning to homeport in preparation for workups for a planned 2002 deployment.

On September 6 USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier was presented with the 2000 Battenberg Cup, awarded annually to the Atlantic Fleet ship or submarine with the greatest crew accomplishments during the previous calendar year. It was the second time USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier had won the award (the ship was also the winner of the 1997 award). The crew also accepted the Flatley Award for aircraft carriers with the best aviation safety record.

On the morning of September 11, USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier was operating off the coast of Virginia conducting routine carrier qualifications when the September 11 attacks took place. USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier was diverted north and arrived in New York City the following day. For the next three days, the ship and her air wing (most of which was hastily transferred from USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)) provided airspace defense for the city and surrounding area in coordination with NORAD. USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier then returned home and resumed the Inter Deployment Training Cycle. From November 2 to November 29 George Washington participated in Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) I/II. For the remainder of the year and into 2002 the ship hosted more carrier qualifications.

The George Washington Battle Group deployed on June 20, 2002 and headed for the North Arabian Sea where it relieved the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) Battle Group on July 19.

On September 11, 2002, USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier was relieved by the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Battle Group in the Persian Gulf, where George Washington had been supporting Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom. On October 2 the crew was treated to a flight deck concert by the band 3 Doors Down while the ship was making a port visit to Lisbon, Portugal. Footage from this concert and the band's tour of the ship was used in the video to the band's single "When I'm Gone". The George Washington Battle Group returned to Norfolk on December 20, 2002. During the six-month deployment, George Washington launched approximately 10,000 sorties.

On June 23 George Washington was presented with the 2002 Battenberg Cup. It was the third time the USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier had won the prestigious award. On September 11 while the ship was operating off the coast of Virginia, an arresting wire parted while an F/A-18 was landing. As the wire parted, it snapped back violently across the deck, injuring eleven crewmen, two critically (the wire nearly hit an additional crew member but he jumped above the wire in time). The sailors, who were part of the ship's company, VAW-120 and VFA-106 had to be medically evacuated from the ship but all survived the mishap. The aircraft was lost over the side but the pilot was able to eject safely. Footage of the mishap was later used in a National Geographic special about the ship that was being filmed at the time.

USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier returned to Norfolk, Va., December 19, 2003 after 40 days at sea, where she successfully completed her Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). The GWSTRKGRU was composed of Destroyer Squadron 28 and Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7), USS Vella Gulf (CG-72), USS Ramage (DDG-61), USS Ross (DDG-71), USS Bulkeley (DDG-84), USS Elrod (FFG-55) and USS Supply (T-AOE-6). The exercise involved more than 7,600 Sailors operating off the coasts of Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Having completed this final phase of the training cycle, the strike group assumed surge status and is fully qualified to deploy.

The Navy announced on January 13, 2004 that the George Washington Carrier Strike Group would depart for a "surge" deployment a week later. On January 20 GW, with CVW-3 embarked, deployed in support of the global war on terrorism.

USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier made a port visit at Souda Bay, Crete beginning on February 6 through February 10, 2004. On February 16, George Washington transited the Suez Canal and entered the Red Sea on February 17.

On February 20 USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier entered the Gulf of Aden and a week later was conducting operations in the Persian Gulf. On March 13 the ship made the first of three port visits to Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates. On April 8, F/A-18 Hornets from Carrier Air Wing Seven participated in Operation Vigilant Resolve. One of the Naval Air Station Oceana-based “Wildcats” from Strike Fighter Squadron 131 (VFA-131) conducted a 20 mm strafing run against an enemy position. Another VFA-131 Hornet dropped two 500 pound GBU-12 laser-guided bombs on another enemy position in Fallujah, Iraq, on April 9. This was the first live ordnance dropped by CVW-7 aircraft since George Washington deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

After being relieved by the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), the ship began her transit home, making a final port visit at Naples, Italy from July 14–18. After traveling more than 51,000 nautical miles (94,000 km) and spending six months at sea, George Washington completed its sixth Mediterranean and Persian Gulf deployment and returned to Norfolk on July 26.

On January 28, 2005 the USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier entered drydock for Planned Incremental Availability (PIA). Many ship's systems were upgraded and maintenance was done to the hull. The ship's four jet blast deflectors were removed and upgraded to handle the increased heat generated by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The ship's defensive weapons configuration was also altered, as one Phalanx CIWS mount and one Sea Sparrow launcher were removed and replaced with two Rolling Airframe Missile launchers. During the 11 months the ship was drydocked, the crew contributed 20,000 hours of volunteer community service to the city of Newport News. The availability was completed on schedule, and George Washington returned to her Norfolk homeport on December 17, 2005.

On December 1, 2005, the United States Navy announced that USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier would replace USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) as the forward-deployed carrier at Yokosuka Naval Base in Yokosuka, Japan, becoming the first nuclear-powered surface warship permanently stationed outside the continental US. In an attempt to explain the carrier's mission to the Japanese public, the U.S. Navy printed a manga about life aboard GW, titled "CVN-73".

USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier and CVW-17 left Norfolk on April 4 for a scheduled two month deployment to operate as part of SOUTHCOM's "Partnership of the Americas". This deployment included counter-drug operations in the Caribbean Sea, crew exchanges and exercises with Latin American and South American navies, and port visits for the carrier and strike group, which consisted of USS Monterey (CG-61), USS Stout (DDG-55), and USS Underwood (FFG-36). The first of these port visits took place from April 14–17 in St. Maarten, and Antigua from May 15–18. GW returned to Norfolk on May 24.

In a ceremony held on September 1, Commanding Officer Garry R. White was promoted to Rear Admiral, marking a rare occasion when a Flag Officer commanded a ship. She entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a Planned Incremental Availability in September to prepare for her upcoming homeport transfer to Yokosuka Naval Base in Yokosuka, Japan. Work included removal and replacement of the ship's radar mast, propeller screws, and re-alignment of the Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department.

On April 7, 2008 USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier, with CVW-17 and Carrier Strike Group 8 embarked, departed Norfolk, VA for the transit around South America, en route to Yokosuka, Japan to replace USS Kitty Hawk. After the turnover with Kitty Hawk at NS Pearl Harbor, Hi, CVW-17 and Carrier Strike Group 8 were to return to their home ports in the US to be replaced by Carrier Air Wing 5, based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, and Carrier Strike Group 5 based at Yokosuka Naval Base in Yokosuka, Japan.

During the South American transit, the Washington Battle Group participated in US Southern Command exercises Partnership of the Americas and Unitas, a joint military exercise between the US, Brazilian and Argentine Navies. On April 22, 2008, USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for her first port visit to that country. The ship transited the Strait of Magellan on May 9-10.

On May 22, 2008 while the ship was off the Pacific Coast of South America, a fire occurred that injured 37 sailors. There were no fatalities. The Navy defined the incident as 'serious'. According to a statement from Naval Air Forces' public affairs office, the fire broke out in the ship's air-conditioning and refrigeration space and an auxiliary boiler room. The fire spread via a cableway and caused extreme heat in some parts of the ship. It took several hours for the ship's crew to contain and extinguish the fire.

On May 27, USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier stopped at NAS North Island in San Diego, California for repairs. On June 20, the Navy announced that the damage from the fire was more serious than previously thought, and that repairs would take at least until August and would cost $70 million. It was announced that the turnover with Kitty Hawk was postponed and would take place in San Diego instead of Hawaii.

On July 13, 13,000 Japanese protested in Yokosuka against the basing of George Washington in Japan, saying that the onboard fire showed that the nuclear-powered carrier was unsafe. The US Navy said that Rear Admiral James Kelly, commander of US Naval Forces Japan, would meet with Yokosuka Mayor Ryoichi Kabaya to fully explain the fire and what preventive measures the Navy would take.

On August 21, under new skipper Captain J.R. Haley and executive officer Captain Karl O. Thomas, George Washington departed NAS North Island for Japan, with Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW 5) embarked. The carrier arrived at Yokosuka, Japan on September 25, 2008. Several hundred local proponents and protestors greeted the ship's arrival.

The USS George Washington CVN-73 US Navy Aircraft Carrier sailed to Korea in October and participated in that country's International Fleet Review. Afterwards, the carrier, accompanied by cruiser Cowpens and destroyer John S. McCain traveled to Guam, arriving on October 31, 2008. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group returned to Japan Nov. 21

In June, 2009 the Navy revealed that 15 of the carrier's sailors were being expelled from the service for use of illegal designer drugs. On July 2, 2009 George Washington, accompanied by USS Cowpens, anchored on Perth's Gage Roads. GW sailors visited Fremantle and the state capital Perth. Crewmembers volunteered to complete community projects including cleaning, maintenance, and painting at organisations including PMH, a Salvation Army rehabilitation centre, Perth Zoo and Cohunu Koala Park. During mid July, the ship was involved in Operation Talisman Sabre, off the coast of the Northern Territory, Australia.