Sailors from USS George Washington Participate in COMSERV

Sailors from the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) participated in a community service project (COMSERV) at the Queensland Maritime Museum July 31.

During their time at the museum, Sailors helped wash the hull of the WWII Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Diamantina and a Carapantia light ship, dust off the Diamantina’s magazines, and wash away years of mud and sediment built up from the dry dock that the Diamantina is permanently moored in.

“We participated in hosing down the boats’ hulls, shoveling up dirt and everyday basic cleanup” said Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Emily Blonski, from Neptune, N.J. “My mom always raised me to give back to the community.”

Founded in 1981, the Queensland Maritime Museum is a one-hundred-percent volunteer driven organization dedicated to preserving the rich naval heritage of the Royal Australian Navy as well as those that have braved the high seas; such as the boat of the Australian teenager, Jessica Watson, who when she was 16, sailed around the world solo in her pink yacht named “The Pink Lady.”

“We like to maintain our connection with people that are serving at sea, both merchant and Navy,” said Ian Jempson, Queensland Maritime Museum’s chief executive officer. “No matter what Navy they are serving in, whether it be Royal Australian Navy or U.S. Navy, it’s great to see Sailors come here who can appreciate the heritage and history of naval operations.”

COMSERV participants interacted with Australian locals who were visiting the museum to talk about who they were, what they were doing and how they were improving international relationships by preserving a historic piece of the Australian navy.

“The event went excellent overall,” said Alan Bibby, Queensland Maritime Museum’s operations manager, “Our sincere thanks; it was very helpful, and we can’t express our appreciation enough.”

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

[mappress]
Press Release, August 1, 2013