The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, for its patrol of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region as the flagship for the George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG), May 18.
George Washington served as the U.S. Navy’s forward deployed aircraft carrier for seven years and is currently scheduled to conduct a hull swap with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) this summer.
As George Washington departs, Ronald Reagan is scheduled to return as the U.S. Navy’s next forward-deployed aircraft carrier.
GWCSG returned to sea with the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and USS Preble (DDG 88) and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, which consists of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27, VFA-102, VFA-115, VFA-195, Electronic Attack Squadron 141, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 115, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30, Detachment 5, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12.
GWCSG provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
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Image: US Navy