My daughter is a DC3 on the GW. She was on the first response team that fought the big fire in May of '08. The are now on their summer deployment as the permanent most forward deployed Aircraft Carrier. There are only 10 nuclear aircraft carriers in the world and the US owns them all. They have now crossed the equator and had the infamous "crossing the line" ceremony turning all the first timers into shellbacks from Polliwogs. They are having a great time.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

HooYah Brad....our Navy boys come through again!!

An extraordinary thing happend today. I had a trip planed to Hong Kong with my MBA class starting Oct 3, but today Garrett called to say the GW will be slightly delayed in departing for their next tour until after that date now, which can allow for me to re-route to get out and see him in Japan before they leave!! This is unbelievable how God works things to His purpose. I previously checked and no flights were available when needed yet today one seat became available on one of those rare frequent flyer slots. I can't wait now to leave 9/30 and see him 10/1 for two and a half days! It dosen't get much better than this!

Well, it is time to leave for Japan in the very early morning tomorrow. What an exciting opportunity to see the US Naval Airstation in Atsugi and probably the Yokosuka port where the USS George Washington is for myself, and also learn where Garrett spends his time while in home port. Of course the best part is to give him a hug, and let him show me his world. I look forward to reporting back what it is like and sharing those pictures when I can.

Arrived in Japan to see Garrett. Initial 3 pics are up. Hope to send more later if the rain stops and we can go sightseeing! It is great to be here!

Additional pics are up. I enjoyed my visit in Tokyo. These pics are from his visits during his first time on tour from Japan to Australia, Singapore and Manilia and back. I will post the remaining pics in about a week from a special party with the AW/Rescue Swimmers at Atsugi Airstation while I was there.

Yes, we missed it. The GW left I think on Monday and Garrett as the only AW with PC qualification was asked to launch all the Helo's from Atsugi to fly onto the GW after it got out to sea. Then Garrett was honored with being hand picked as one of four AW's to go on the USS Cowpens to serve the single Helo and fly on as it departed earlier than the scheduled 10/7 original date due to the typhoon that was coming. This assignment will give him many more flights and opportunities to complete various quals than he would have sharing the flights as a part of the many AW's on the GW. He told me how much he is looking forward to the challenges placed before him, and his two Chiefs told me of their complete confidence they have in him, which is all a father could hope to hear! I pray for those in the fleet out to sea trying to navigate around this Typhoon, and also for those on our bases left behind to face the rath of its fury. May there be no losses of lives or property.

Hello, back from my trip to Japan and Hong Kong. Final pics are up, plus a video of the test drop of a torpedo from their Helo during the previous tour. What an awesome time! Plus getting to speak with the Chiefs, was inspirational while meeting all the AW's for a gathering to honor them from both squadrons stationed at Atsugi Airbase. They appreciated a father there showing support from back home to all of them. I can't tell you what an awesome night that was!

My son is on the USS Shiloh which I believe is out right now with the GW. I would love to hear any news about what is going on with the carrier group. He e-mailed last Saturday and said they were in some rough water but things were going well.

Hi all, I just joined navydads site. My son received his orders last week & will be joining the fleet after Thanksgiving. I look forward to getting to know you & share experiences. Have a good Sunday afternoon.

The GW fleet should be arriving into Hong Kong soon, Garrett was told they may be there between Halloween and his birthday, which is today! That is not such a bad present, to get liberty in Hong Kong, hey!

Hi everyone, my son is home now on leave with orders to report to the USS GW after Thanksgiving. I was curious, is 4 to 5 weeks for packages to get to Japan just during the holidays, or is this the normal transit time ?

FYI...the GW is back in Japan. My son Garrett is back in Japan from his second tour, this time with the USS Cowpens. He is finishing packing as he has leave to come home Tuesday! Yahoo! We look forward to welcoming him home at Orlando Int'l Airport that night. We have him until Dec 11, so we will just have to have Christmas early! What a wonderful Thanksgiving we will have and we give thanks for all the blessings that have been provided to bring him home. All the best to your families and with the great thanksgiving thoughts for you and your sailors!

How do I get a mail address for the USS GW ? My son just arrived in Yokosuka last weekend to report to the USS GW. Was hoping to get a package off to him soon so he'll have something for the holidays.

Paul ... the Ombusdsman worked like a charm. Got a reply within 48 hours. Thanks for the tip.

In the meantime my son has purchased a cell phone in Japan and we have been enjoying weekly phone calls, emails and facebook updates (pics). The internet is really a great tool for keeping in touch long distance, and I think it helps him not feel so far away and isolated.

Nick shipped out for Japan yesterday for his first assignment, having spent the last 21 months at GC. Haven't heard anything yet. He's an MM3 and will be working as an ELT I think.