Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) hosted guests from Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 17.
Rear Adm. John Alexander, commander, Battle Force 7th Fleet and Capt. Greg Fenton, George Washington’s commanding officer hosted 22 visitors who toured the ship and were provided a general orientation of how a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operates while underway.
Rear Adm. Isao Ooseto, commander, Fleet Air Wing 31, said:
I was very surprised and impressed by the amount of aircraft that can operate in such a limited area.
I want to thank [everyone] for extending the invitation because I believe these tours help increase the cooperation between Japan and the United States.
Guests were divided into two groups and were guided through George Washington’s hangar bay, Air Operations Center, Combat Direction Center, Flight Deck Control, Flag Bridge, Navigation Bridge and ship’s museum.
Visitors also experienced flight operations from the ship’s flight deck, seeing firsthand how George Washington’s flight deck crew functions together to launch and recover aircraft.
The visitors were given a close up view of how the ship’s embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, operates in preparation for its transition from Atsugi, Japan to Iwakuni in the next two to three years.
George Washington and CVW-5 provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
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Press release, Image: US Navy