Three Carriers Pierside

The U.S. Navy released the above photo of the aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), pre-commissioning unit aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and USS George Washington (CVN 73) sitting pierside at Naval Station Norfolk.

Note: The photo was taken by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dartez C. Williams. 

You can click on the photo to enlarge.

New U.S. Navy Recruitment Video

As an old Navy veteran I got a kick out the new U.S. Navy recruitment video.

You can watch the interesting ad via the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBHt_gu6ZzQ

Note: Above is a U.S. Navy photo of the USS George Washington CVN 73. The aircraft carrier appears in the video.

Navy SEALs, Marines Use Aircraft Carrier USS George Washington As Staging Base

The U.S. Navy News Service released the below information:

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- SEALs and Marine Special Operations (MARSOC) forces from Special Operations Command Pacific conducted maritime interoperability training aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), Sept. 22-29.

Using the carrier as an afloat forward staging base, the task force demonstrated increased flexibility and a range of options to conduct operations when and where needed most.

"The chance to integrate Special Operations Forces (SOF)and a carrier strike group in a full-scale exercise is incredibly important," said Capt. Alec Mackenzie, the Special Operations Task Force commander. "Operating from an afloat staging base gives our forces dramatically increased reach and provides an opportunity to refine tactics, techniques and procedures in a challenging environment. This makes Maritime SOF more effective and provides the requisite experience to conduct real-world contingency operations as needed."

Maritime SOF assigned to Naval Special Warfare Unit 1, including members from a Marine Special Operations Company, a west coast-based Naval Special Warfare (NSW) unit, explosive ordnance disposal element, and a helicopter sea combat squadron staged aboard the aircraft carrier in order to conduct training.

The training exercised the entire spectrum of foundational crisis response skills, including embarkation, command and control, logistics, planning and execution. The participants executed a full range of operations, from special reconnaissance to direct action utilizing rotary wing insertions. The exercise also demonstrated interoperability between SOF and capabilities from multiple other units, including George Washington, the Carrier Air Wing, and strike group ships.

"We demonstrated outstanding synchronization between aviation, special warfare and surface forces in an environment that will continue to grow as an option for afloat staging bases," said Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, commander, Battle Force 7th Fleet, and the officer in tactical control of the exercise. "The ability to seamlessly integrate those forces and quickly conduct operations in a time of crises is key to effective cooperative efforts. Exercises of this kind, reinforcing and refining our capabilities, are further evidence of the U.S. dedication to stability and security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region."

 The George Washington Carrier Strike Group and 7th Fleet's Special Warfare task force make up two prongs of the air, sea, subsurface, and land operations in the Indo-Asia-Pacific under the Navy's largest numbered fleet.

Note: You can click on the above three U.S. Navy photos to enlarge.

Aboard U.S. Carrier, Philadelphia Native Sees Typhoon's Impact

 

As a Philadelphian who served on an aircraft carrier when I was a young sailor during the Vietnam War,  I was interested in Michael Matza's piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer about a Philadelphian  serving on a carrier that is involved with the Philippines relief mission.

Working in classified intelligence aboard an aircraft carrier off the Philippines, Petty Officer Third Class Robert Nurse, a Philadelphia native, pores over aerial surveillance photographs of the typhoon-ravaged country, looking for safe places to land Navy relief helicopters. 

A 2011 high school graduate of the city's Science Leadership Academy, Nurse, 20, is in his second year in the Navy and is normally stationed in Japan.

Now on temporary assignment to bring food, water, and medical supplies to the Philippines, he is part of the 5,500-person crew of the George Washington, the nuclear-powered supercarrier longer than three football fields (1,092 feet), well over a field wide (252 feet), and 24 stories tall, and able to make 400,000 gallons of fresh water daily.

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel ordered the vessel to the region to provide disaster aid Nov. 12. Sixty hours later, it was there.
 

"My job is basically to coordinate with pilots" of the 24 helicopters and V-22 Ospreys in the George Washington's battle group, Nurse said in a satellite-telephone interview Monday. The pilots ferry supplies and transport injured people.

"I look at the photographs to determine where it is safe to go. Are there downed wires in the area? Is the ground stable? Today, we looked at images of roads to see if they are capable of being used."

You can read the rest of the piece via the below link:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20131119_Aboard_U_S__carrier__Phila__native_sees_typhoon_s_impact.html

Note: The above U.S. Navy photo shows the USS George Washington at sea.

Carrier At Sunset In the Western Pacific

The U.S. Navy released the photo and infromation below:

PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 8, 2012) The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) is underway near Guam at sunset.

The Washington is the centerpiece of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 based out of Yokosuka, Japan, and is currently on patrol in the western Pacific.

The U.S. Navy photo was taken by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul Kelly.

Note: you can click on the photo to enlarge.