USS George Washington (CVN 73)

Comment

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on April 18, 2011 at 8:56pm

USS George Washington to return to Yokosuka
From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

in this file photo, aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) anchors off the coast of Sasebo, Japan, April 12. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class(SW/AW) Marcus D. Mince)

YOKOSUKA, Japan - The forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington will return to Fleet Activities Yokosuka April 20.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was completing routine maintenance on March 11 when the earthquake and tsunami struck northern Honshu. The ship departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka on March 21 with 466 civilian contractors and shipyard workers embarked, who continued to conduct scheduled maintenance while the ship operated in waters near the Japanese islands of Shikoku and Kyushu.

USS George Washington departed from Yokosuka to ensure that the ship could maintain readiness, and workers could continue work required to support the U.S.-Japan alliance.

The situation in Japan has improved since the departure of George Washington. In its updated travel advisory for Japan on April 14, the U.S. Department of State noted that “the situation at the [Fukushima] plant is dramatically different today than it was on March 16, when we saw significant ongoing releases of radioactivity, the loss of effective means to cool the reactor cores and spent fuel, the absence of outside power or fresh water supply for emergency management, and considerable uncertainty about the condition of the site. Today, while the situation remains serious, and there is still a possibility of unanticipated developments, cooling efforts are ongoing and successful, power, water supply, and back-up services have been partially or fully restored, and planning has begun to control radioactive contamination and mitigate future dangers. Our coordination with the Japanese is regular and productive, and we have a greatly increased capacity to measure and analyze risks.”

USS George Washington made two visits to Sasebo while it was away from Yokosuka, on April 5 and April 12-14, in order to exchange shipyard personnel as well as components and equipment to support the routine maintenance. Throughout this time, the U.S. Navy has maintained a strong desire and every intention to return to George Washington to its homeport at Yokosuka.

While George Washington was at sea continuing its routine maintenance, more than 20 U.S. 7th Fleet ships, including the USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group, supported disaster relief operations off the coast of northern Honshu.

Upon returning to Yokosuka, George Washington will continue its maintenance, while maintaining a heightened state of readiness to return to sea if necessary. The Navy remains committed to completing George Washington’s routine maintenance so that it can fully meet the obligation of the U.S. government to defend Japan and support peace and stability in the region.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on April 14, 2011 at 8:37am

George Washington Sailors Assist Handicapped Japanese in Sasebo By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cheryl Callahan

by USS George Washington (CVN 73) on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 8:47pm

SASEBO, Japan (April 13, 2011) – Sailors from the USS George Washington (CVN73)  spent some of their liberty time in Sasebo, Japan with residents of the Sakura Challenged Home for handicapped citizens.

George Washington’s Sailors spent their time cleaning the grounds of the facility, washing windows and watering the plants.

  “This particular community service (COMSERVE) event was an excellent opportunity to give our Sailors a chance to meet with some of the local people and help the community,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jose Pimentel, one of George Washington’s chaplains.  “This particular project also gave them a chance to interact with people of a capacity that they may not be used to interacting with or may not be comfortable interacting with.”

  The Challenged Home has been in operation for approximately 10 years and has 25 people who volunteer their time by visiting every Monday through Saturday. The residents consist of people that are either physically handicapped, mentally handicapped or both.  The residents spend the majority of their time learning to cope with their disabilities while making bread to sell to the local community which keeps them gainfully employed.

  At the conclusion of the visit, the home’s residents sang several songs and danced in appreciation for the Sailors’ hard work. Sailors were then given the chance to sample the different breads made by the residents.

  “This was a really nice trip,” said Logistics Specialist Seaman Samuel Bly from Marais, Minnesota. “I’m glad we could help out and after this experience I plan on doing more COMSERVEs.”

  “One of the bonuses of having these COMSERVEs is that when one person participates for the first time, they’re hooked,” said Pimentel.  “This is the case for many Sailors, and not just from George Washington.  They tend to sign up for multiple COMSERVEs events in the future because the very first event they participated in was such a positive and rewarding experience for them.”

  George Washington has been underway since March 21, departing her forward-deployed homeport of Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, in response to the complex nature of the natural disaster that struck Japan, March 11.

George Washington is the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, ensuring security and stability across the western Pacific Ocean.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on April 11, 2011 at 9:20pm

George Washington Arrives in Sasebo By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cheng S. Yang

by USS George Washington (CVN 73) on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 5:10pm

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 11, 2011) – The forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) will pull into U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo in Sasebo, Japan for the second time in just two weeks, April 12.

George Washington’s return to Sasebo is for the continued transfer of personnel and supplies and to allow Sailors a chance for relaxation after three weeks at sea. 

While more than 150 Puget Sound and Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers will be departing, 115 Japanese workers will be coming aboard George Washington to continue the ship’s routine maintenance at sea.  Since George Washington pulled out of port on March 21, more than 600 jobs have been complete to include lagging, chill water piping, restoration of laundry facilities and the instillation of a new 4,000-lb. fuel purifier.  The work being done in local waters off Japan’s coast ensures George Washington will be ready to respond to any operational tasking.

George Washington’s first visit to Sasebo was only for one day and liberty was not an option.  This time, Sailors will be coming ashore and are looking forward to some much-needed time off and travel opportunities being organized by the ship’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department. 

“We’re offering a lot of tours such as the Pearl Sea Resort where you can cook your own oysters, see different animals and even get on a cruise,” said Rebekah Mckoy, George Washington’s MWR director.  “I’m excited because the crew has been working hard and it’s a good break.”     

“I can finally get off the boat and enjoy some time off,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Ezra Brabham from Long Island, N.Y.  “We’ve been out to sea for a while so I’m really looking forward to taking it easy.”

Other tours from MWR include a visit to Nagasaki, paintball at Sakibe Field, a sunset hike up Kunimi Peak to the hot springs, Shirihama saltwater fishing and shopping trips to the pottery towns of Imari and Arita.

“I already signed up for the shopping tour,” said Brabham.  “Another reason I can’t wait to finally get back on land, it’s time again to start spending some cash.”

“So far the tickets are already starting to sell but there’s still plenty of spots open for more sign-ups,” said Mckoy.  “There’s something for everyone so I would like to encourage Sailors to reward themselves for their hard work.”

Alongside the tours, George Washington’s Command Religious Ministry Division (CRMD) has set up two community service projects, both allowing Sailors to interact with children.

“The projects consist of going to the Kusuzumi Day Care Center and Sakura Challenged Home for Handicapped Children,” said Religious Programs Specialist 1st Class Nino Miranda of Riverside, Calif., CRMD’s leading petty officer. “It’ll be one hour of cleaning and then one hour of playing with the kids. I would like to see as many Sailors as possible out there helping the community and creating a positive outlook because these kids are the future and they will remember us.”

George Washington has been underway since March 21, departing her forward-deployed homeport of Yokosuka, Japan, in response to the complex nature of the disaster that struck Japan, March 11.

George Washington is the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, ensuring security and stability across the western Pacific Ocean.

Comment by Jim G. on April 11, 2011 at 5:03am

Just my .02 cents worth, but I would maintain that it is ALWAYS "time to send mail..."

 

I was on fast attack submarines and we only received mail when we pulled into port, but it was always there waiting for us (the Navy knew where we would be before we got there, believe it or not!) and it was one of the first things we loaded down the hatch.

 

It is so simple, and so very important, for our sailors to hear their name called during mail call.  Even better to hear your name over and over and over.

 

So, I would encourage all the navy families out there to never concern yourselves with whether or not our sailors are "receiving mail," just send it!

Comment by Jim Clemente on April 6, 2011 at 6:16am

I just read on the GW page on Facebook that they just received 10,000 pounds of mail. So good people it is time to send mail to our loved ones onboard

Comment by Jim Clemente on April 5, 2011 at 11:34am

I never received a note from an ombudsman, and I am sure it is a scam. Do yourself a favor and ignore it.

Comment by Jmespo on April 5, 2011 at 11:31am

Pleased to report that we heard from our Son last night after the ship docked in Sasebo.  He also finally got an email account so now we can stay in touch.  He sounded well, but tired.  It's real hard not to ask him for details about his work, for some reason my wife has to know every detail.

Also, did anybody see the note from the Ombudsman on Facebook last night?  It was strange that they would need us to send personal information if they already have it.  Changing emails should not have casued them to loose that, at least I would hope not.  Decided to wait and see before I answer just to be safe.

Comment by Jim Clemente on April 5, 2011 at 11:30am

They are docked at Sasebo in southern Japan and off loading the civilians and sailors from Norfolk. My son sent a picture from Sasebo of the GW that a friend had taken and sent to him.

Comment by Jim Clemente on April 2, 2011 at 5:13pm

I just received an email from my son Mike. He said they are not receiving mail yet. Please do not send any.

Comment by Jim Clemente on April 1, 2011 at 4:57pm

Thank you. Your post is much appreciated.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 10
• 11
• 12
• 13
• 14
• …
• 30
• Next ›
• Page