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CVN-73 USS George Washington

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Since commissioning, GEORGE WASHINGTON has made three Mediterranean / Arabian Gulf deployments. During GW's maiden deployment the ship proudly served as the backdrop for the 50th anniversary of D-Day. In 1996, during its second deployment, GEORGE WASHINGTON was host to a historic meeting of the Joint Military Commission comprised of the military leaders of the Former Warring Factions in Bosnia/Herzegovina. The ship also played a vital peacekeeping role in Operation Decisive Endeavor in Bosnia/Herzegovina and enforced the "NoFly" zone over Southern Iraq in Operation Southern Watch. On its third deployment from Oct. 97-Apr. 98, GW spent most of its six month deployment in the Arabian Gulf as the cornerstone of the U.S. military force, which compelled Iraq to allow United Nations weapons inspectors in their country. On its fourth deployment from June 2000 to December 2000. GEORGE WASHINGTON spent most of its six-month deployment in the Arabian Gulf as the cornerstone of the U.S. military presence there. Serving as the flagship for Rear Adm. Joseph A. Sestak, Commander, George Washington Battle Group, GEORGE WASHINGTON has numerous capabilities including its primary mission to conduct sustained flight operations over enemy forces, as well as fleet maintenance repair, and command and control. GEORGE WASHINGTON has maintained a remarkable safety record while com-piling a massive list of accomplish-ments. Milestones include: Winner of the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle Efficiency Award in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 2000; the Golden Anchor for Retention in 1996 and 1998; the Admiral Flatley Award for Aviation Safety in 1997 and 2000 and the prestigious Battenburg Cup for combat readiness in 1998 and 2000. 2000: Carl Vinson finished the overhaul period in June 2000 and began the pre-deployment phase of operations. The ship got underway for sea trials, TSTA, FEP, and COMPTUEX in the fall, operating off the coast of Southern California with Carrier Air Wing Eleven and other ships in the battle group. 2001: From January to June, the carrier spent most of the time out to sea preparing for the ship's twelfth deployment.  Carl Vinson steamed out of Bremerton, Wash., on July 23, and after stopping to on load Carrier Air Wing Eleven at Naval Air Station, North Island, Calif., headed west. On Sept. 11, as our nation was rocked by the terrorist attacks, USS Carl Vinson was rounding the tip of India en route the Arabian Gulf to enforce the no-fly zone over Southern Iraq in support Operation Southern Watch . At that moment,  the Gold Eagle changed course and headed to the North Arabian Sea, where our battle group would stand ready to answer the call of freedom. That call came, and on Oct. 7, 2001, just 36 hours after we welcomed our new commanding officer, CAPT Richard Wren, the Carl Vinson and her battle group launched the first  strikes in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  For 72 days, we remained on station and together with Carrier Air Wing Eleven conducted more than 4,200 combat sorties in the War on Terrorism. In mid-December, Carl Vinson stood down the watch and headed home, visiting Singapore for Christmas.  2002: Carl Vinson returned from her historic deployment on Jan. 23, 2002. For their support in the nation's war on terrorism, the crew again received a Battle "E," and a Navy Unit Commendation. In April, the crew began a Planned Incremental Availability. During this time several new operational systems were installed, and the ship’s flight deck and catapults were completely renovated. Numerous other spaces and crew living areas were also entirely restored, drastically improving the working and living conditions for the crew. Currently, the crew is preparing to once again support the interests of the free world throughout the Western Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Gulf.