SAN DIEGO−Thursday, the USS George Washington (CVN-73) got underway, leaving San Diego, California in transit to Yokosuka, Japan where she will replace USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) as the Navy’s only permanently, forward deployed aircraft carrier.
The George Washington leaves San Diego after an extended ship repair availability. The extension was needed to repair damage caused by an at sea fire on May 22. The fire was caused by smoking in an unauthorized area that ignited flammable liquids that were improperly stored.
The cost of repairs is estimated at $70 million and took 55,000 man days of labor provided by the ship’s crew, the navy’s Southwest Regional Maintenance Center as well as local contractors. One retired sailor described the repair work as a minor delay in the ship’s schedule or just another evolution in the life of a US Navy ship. The ship’s two nuclear reactors were not affected by the fire and there were no fatalities.
In an official statement, the USS George Washington public affairs office says, “The forward deployment of GW ensures the ability of Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, to fulfill the U.S. Government’s commitment to the defense of Japan, and the maintenance of international peace and security in the Far East in support of mutual cooperation and security.”
In addressing the crew of the George Washington on Aug. 20, Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead said: “Now you really are the ambassadors of the United States Navy and ambassadors of the United States… I know this ship. I know the crew. And you are going to do an absolutely superb job.”
The George Washington leaves San Diego after an extended ship repair availability. The extension was needed to repair damage caused by an at sea fire on May 22. The fire was caused by smoking in an unauthorized area that ignited flammable liquids that were improperly stored.
The cost of repairs is estimated at $70 million and took 55,000 man days of labor provided by the ship’s crew, the navy’s Southwest Regional Maintenance Center as well as local contractors. One retired sailor described the repair work as a minor delay in the ship’s schedule or just another evolution in the life of a US Navy ship. The ship’s two nuclear reactors were not affected by the fire and there were no fatalities.
In an official statement, the USS George Washington public affairs office says, “The forward deployment of GW ensures the ability of Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, to fulfill the U.S. Government’s commitment to the defense of Japan, and the maintenance of international peace and security in the Far East in support of mutual cooperation and security.”
In addressing the crew of the George Washington on Aug. 20, Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead said: “Now you really are the ambassadors of the United States Navy and ambassadors of the United States… I know this ship. I know the crew. And you are going to do an absolutely superb job.”
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