YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The George Washington Carrier Strike Group centered on the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS George Washington (CVN 73), departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan May 18 to conduct carrier qualifications in preparation for its upcoming annual deployment cycle.
George Washington is conducting equipment testing and carrier landing qualifications with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, following a 121-day Selective Restricted Availability (SRA) period and four-day sea trials.
During the SRA, multiple repairs and upgrades were made to operational systems and GW's 3,360 spaces. These renovations required more than 213,000 man-days of work. Specific repairs included upgrades, corrective and preventative maintenance to air-conditioning units, fire fighting systems, aircraft elevators, navigation systems, and crew habitability spaces.
Commanded by Rear Adm. Kevin Donegan, the George Washington Carrier Strike Group with more than 5,000 Sailors, is also comprised of 7th Fleet's: CVW-5; Destroyer Squadron 15 (DESRON 15) and the guided missile cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Cowpens (CG 63). Commanded by Capt. David A. Lausman, the USS George Washington (CVN 73) replaced the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) last September as the flagship for the permanently forward-deployed carrier strike group.