USS George Washington (CVN 73)

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Comment by Brad on September 11, 2009 at 9:57pm

Finally spoke with Garrett via Skype. He told me a day or two before the GW came into port he was part of the crew doing a med evac flight for a potential heart attack victim 2.5 hours to Japan to a hospital. One hour in both batteries failed on the heart monitor/defibulator so if the heart stopped they would have to do CPR for the remaining 1.5 hours! Fortnuately they did have to and arrived safely. Then on the way back they had to climb high over a typhoon between them and the GW with 50 knot neg. gain going into the winds! Finally 15 mins from the carrier they got briefed on what happens on complete shut down due to possible lightning strike damage and possible restart if hit as lightning was all around going from cloud to cloud. No hits, but they were all on edge! Quite the flight!

Comment by Brad on September 2, 2009 at 9:42am

Just uploaded a pic from the HS-14 squadron from the USS George Washington that Garrett flys with.

Comment by charles c. madott on August 24, 2009 at 11:59am

Just received an email from my son jason, and he can hardly wait to get back home, he's been out since april of this year and being a senior chief petty officer he didn't get much down time, as all of his shipmates on GW. I just want thank navy dads and the all the groups, it really lets off some of pressure that i get not having any one around here to talk to people who understand and can appreciate having a son or daughter oversea's. It's been kin of hard because since jason left A school he's been japan and that's going to 12 years now. My wife lynda and I haven't even seen two of our grandchildren only in pictures. well thanks againg for letting me go on, I hope that is wasn't braging to much about my son. We are so proud of him. And the last thing I would like to say is to all of our sailors in this community is thanks for serving our country and keeping us safe.

Comment by Brad on August 14, 2009 at 11:20am

Yesterday I got to see Garrett on Skype for Manilla in the Philippiens. The GW is the first carrier to port there in 13 years. Due to the long time since the US has been there, he and others have not enjoyed this stop. They were not prepard with service providers (cab drivers, etc.) that could communicate even a little, making travel difficult at best. He even had to show some how to read their own city map!! Command did not allow overnight stay, and other than their big mall area, things got pretty ugly and unsafe within very short distances. Hopefully this paves the way to better opportunities for future stops by other carrier groups! I believe they have pulled out today, and hopefully to home port in Japan in three weeks.

Comment by Brad on August 10, 2009 at 5:19pm

Wow, it is great to find this group! My son is an AW3 Rescue Swimmer on the GW and is on his first tour. Great to see the pics of them around the carrier. I really love the Wog/shellback ceremony pic too! He plans to send me pics from the cool meet up with the USS Reagan. I will share them as soon as I get them. I look forward to all your posts.

Comment by Joe McAllister on July 27, 2009 at 1:38pm

Has anyone heard from their sailor on theG.W. lately? I havent heard anything since Perth.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on July 16, 2009 at 10:13pm

Some current news:

George Washington Carrier Strike Group Begins Talisman Saber
Story Number: NNS090716-09
Release Date: 7/16/2009 4:43:00 PM


From USS George Washington Public Affairs

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG), with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, began participating in Exercise Talisman Saber 2009 (TS09) July 13.

TS09, a biennial exercise hosted by the Australian Defense Force, is designed to enhance combat readiness while maintaining the highest levels of interoperability between U.S. and Australian forces.

"With both nations dedicated to enhancing security and stability in the region, Talisman Saber 2009 provides us with the unique opportunity to train together across the full spectrum of missions from high-end combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," said Rear Adm. Kevin M. Donegan, commander of Battle Force 7th Fleet. "The end result is the enhanced efficiency that comes from extensive interoperability among our joint military services."

Capt. Michael S. White, commander of CVW 5, said the exercise will present some new and unique training opportunities for CVW 5 pilots embarked on the carrier.

"Northern Australia, where we are working for TS09, really has some great flying opportunities — and the fact that we'll be working with our Air Force, Marine Corps and Royal Australian counterparts," said White. "The events are complex and challenging, but the training value is very good. It's a great opportunity for us to go get better at what we do."

USS George Washington (GW) (CVN 73) Combat Direction Center (CDC) Officer, Cmdr. Peter Walczak, said the purpose of GW's participation is to build and foster relationships with Australians while practicing responses to possible crises or small conflicts.

"We'll be performing simulated strikes on targets in central and northern Australia," said Walczak. "The scenarios are simulated for the purpose of dislodging a hostile element from a region of a local country. We'll also be simulating attacks on GW."

Walczak said the ship will then devise a simulated air plan in order to defend the ship and strike group from air attack.

"GW is performing typical operations, but our attitude is different. We're putting our game face on, where drills are not just at a departmental or divisional level; we're looking at where we fit within the strike group as a whole."

Cmdr. Mark Stoops, GW's air officer, said the exercise will allow the ship's air department to work in a high-tempo flight operations environment.

"We're launching and recovering aircraft every day regardless, but throughout the exercise our volume of operations will be much higher," said Stoops. "This is good because this way we can continue to practice and keep our skills sharp."

Capt. David A. Lausman, commanding officer of GW, the flagship of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, is currently making its inaugural summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan.

GWCSG is comprised of CVW 5, Destroyer Squadron 15 and guided-missile cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Cowpens (CG 63).

For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn73

Comment by Charley on July 1, 2009 at 9:27am

Comment by Charley on July 1, 2009 at 9:24am

Comment by Charley on July 1, 2009 at 9:24am

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