George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG) returned to its forward-operating location at Fleet Activities Yokosuka Aug. 8, after completing a three-month patrol of the 7th Fleet area of operations.
GWCSG conducted four goodwill port visits and participated in a trilateral naval field training exercise with Indian navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force during Malabar 2014.
The strike group conducted goodwill port visits to Hong Kong, Singapore, Republic of Korea and Sasebo, Japan where Sailors interacted with foreign nationals through sporting events, cultural Morale, Welfare and Recreation events and community relations (COMREL) projects.
George Washington successfully completed Core I and II training assessments to evaluate the carrier’s watch standers in requisite warfare areas of damage control, navigation and medical response.
George Washington also hosted distinguished visitors, conducted numerous replenishments-at-sea and had a chance to relax to celebrate Independence Day and the ship’s birthday with a steel beach picnic on the flight deck.
GWCSG ships finished up the patrol by hosting friends and family members for a Tiger Cruise where they had a chance to watch a sea and air power demonstration, damage control olympics and participate in ship tours to experience at-sea life aboard a Navy warship.
GWCSG ships will now enter a maintenance availability to increase their material readiness and prepare for another upcoming patrol.
Ships currently in the GWCSG include the flagship, George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) and USS Stethem (DDG 63).
GWSCG is forward-deployed in the 7th Fleet area of operations supporting the security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.