131201-N-BX824-127 by Jay Michaels
Via Flickr:
131201-N-BX824-127 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 1, 2013) An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 takes off from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5's fly-off. George Washington and its embarked 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 Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ricardo R. Guzman/RELEASED)
An F/A-18F Super Hornet launches. by Official U.S. Navy Page
Via Flickr:
WATERS SOUTH OF JAPAN (Nov. 10, 2014) An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Diamondbacks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chris Cavagnaro/Released) 141110-N-IP531-250 Join the conversation: www.navy.mil/viewGallery.asp www.facebook.com/USNavy www.twitter.com/USNavy navylive.dodlive.mil pinterest.com plus.google.com
The ship was originally slated to conclude its maintenance in 2021.
She was a rehab project for myself, also, spending a year aboard finishing my sea rotation and trying to get back into my own battle rhythym of running a work center and proving to myself I wasn't broken. It remains the darkest point I'd been mentally in my career. Had many visits with Pysch Boss during that time. I'm grateful I had a supportive chain of command, who were willing to allow me that time and space, and were as thrilled as I was when I got medically cleared to re-enlist.
I wish those after me had that luxury. I wish I didn't have to read how about the very preventable suicides. I wish the MCPON didn't come onboard and tell the entire to crew to their face the politically correct/polite form of "suck it the fuck up." They deserved better. Leadership failed them. Massively.
And so while I'm proud to say I had a hand in her returning to sea and making her better than she was when I got there (including a class for learning how to "industrially paint" ship spaces), I can't do that without a bitter taste in my mouth.
U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships participate in Keen Sword. by Official U.S. Navy Page
Via Flickr:
PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 19, 2014) U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships are underway in formation at the conclusion of Keen Sword 15. Keen Sword is a joint-bilateral training exercise involving the U.S. military and the Japan Self-Defense Force to increase combat readiness and interoperability of U.S. forces and the Japan Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chris Cavagnaro/Released) 141119-N-IP531-048 Join the conversation www.navy.mil/viewGallery.asp www.facebook.com/USNavy www.twitter.com/USNavy navylive.dodlive.mil pinterest.com plus.google.com
An MV-22B Osprey prepares to land on the flight deck of USS George Washington. by Official U.S. Navy Page
Via Flickr:
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 4, 2016) An MV-22B Osprey assigned to the Blue Knights of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 prepares to land on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington, homeported in Norfolk, is underway in the Atlantic Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Clemente A. Lynch)161004-YB023-N-091 Join the conversation: www.navy.mil/viewGallery.asp www.facebook.com/USNavy www.twitter.com/USNavy navylive.dodlive.mil pinterest.com plus.google.com
An F-35C Lightning II carrier variant lands on the flight deck of USS George Washington. by Official U.S. Navy Page
Via Flickr:
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 14, 2016) An F-35C Lightning II carrier variant assigned to the Grim Reapers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101, the Navy’s F-35C Fleet replacement squadron, lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). VFA-101 aircraft and pilots are conducting initial qualifications aboard George Washington in the Atlantic Ocean. The F-35C is expected to be Fleet operational in 2018. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Krystofer Belknap)160814-N-MY901-131 Join the conversation: www.navy.mil/viewGallery.asp www.facebook.com/USNavy www.twitter.com/USNavy navylive.dodlive.mil pinterest.com plus.google.com
