USS George Washington Returns Home To Yokosuka For The Holidays
By MC3 Marcos Vazquez, USS George Washington Public Affairs

101214-N-9125C-031 YOKOSUKA, Japan (Dec. 14, 2010) The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) returns to its homeport of Yokosuka, Japan, after a three-week fall patrol marking the end of the 2010 deployment schedule. Since pulling out of port on May 18, 2010, George Washington has traveled 51,700 nautical miles and safely launched and recovered 8,351 aircraft. George Washington is the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier ensuring security and stability across the western Pacific Ocean.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cheryl Callahan/Released)

After a short but eventful three-week period out at sea, the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) (GW) returned to its forward deployed operating port of Yokosuka, Japan, Dec. 14.

While underway, GW participated in an exercise in the waters west of the Korean peninsula with the Republic of Korea (ROK) navy and in the Pacific Ocean with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) as part of the exercise Keen Sword 2011.

“Our crew has done an outstanding job during this patrol which began almost seven months ago in May,” said GW Commanding Officer Capt. David Lausman. “During that time, we’ve traveled more then 50,000 nautical miles across the western Pacific, and I know this region is safer and more secure today because of their service.”

GW participated in other naval exercises during the 2010 annual patrol including exercise Invincible Spirit with the ROK navy, undersea warfare exercise with the JMSDF, which focused on the coordination of anti-submarine warfare, and the joint military exercise Valiant Shield, which was conducted to train the participants on various areas including maritime interdiction, intelligence surveillance, reconnaissance and personnel recovery.

The flight deck of the carrier was an extremely busy place during the 2010 patrol with 8,351 launches and recoveries. To keep those planes flying, the air wing used 16,125, 000 gallons of fuel. The Supply Department made 1.8 million meals with food they brought aboard during 34 separate replenishment-at-sea. The Supply Department also cleaned 365,000 pounds of laundry and kept the crew looking sharp with 22,000 haircuts.

The ship’s Medical Department was responsible for assisting 9,485 patients, administering 10,354 immunizations and collecting 424 units of blood during a command blood drive.

The size of the GW crew increased by 22 U.S. citizens during the annual patrol as the Legal Department naturalized more than three dozen Sailors as new United States citizens.

“In some countries people are not allowed to speak about certain things, but now I am an American, and I can defend my country and use my freedom of speech whenever I want,” said Culinary Specialist Seaman Jian Xu, one of the proud new Americans.

In 2010, GW visited Korea, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand. In these ports, more than 7,000 people had the chance to get a firsthand look at the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier.

“It was a great opportunity for both the citizens to see what we do and for our own Sailors to showcase their pride we all share in this warship,” said Chief Master-at-Arms Raymond Wendt, one of the ship’s tour guides in the Philippines. “It helps you appreciate the ship even more by seeing the excitement in their faces.”