George Washington Begins Summer Patrol

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Pittman

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG), centered around the Navy's only full-time forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS George Washington (CVN 73), returned to sea to begin their summer patrol, June 12.

"After a six month long maintenance period, George Washington is an [increasingly] modern, state-of-the-art warship," said George Washington's commanding officer, Capt. David A. Lausman. "I am excited to return to sea and work in international waters with our regional partners."

In addition to George Washington, GWCSG consists of 7th Fleet's Carrier Air Wing 5, Destroyer Squadron 15, guided-missile destroyers USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), USS Lassen (DDG 82), USS McCampbell (DDG 85), USS Mustin (DDG 89) and USS Stethem (DDG 63). Also included in the strike group are guided-missile cruisers USS Cowpens (CG 63) and USS Shiloh (CG 67).

Carrier Air Wing 5 is composed of Strike Fighter Squadron 27, Strike Fighter Squadron 102 Strike Fighter Squadron 115, Strike Fighter Squadron 195, Electronic Attack Squadron 136, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 115, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 Detachment 5 and Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 14.

More than 5,500 Sailors are currently stationed aboard George Washington.

George Washington's mission is to ensure security and stability in the Western Pacific and to be in position to work with our allies and regional partners to respond to any crisis across the operational spectrum as directed.

USS Carl Vinson Welcomes Republic of Philippines President

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

USS CARL VINSON, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 welcomed aboard the president of the Republic of Philippines May 14.

Benigno Aquino III, the president of the Republic of Philippines, arrived on board Carl Vinson as the ship was transiting to Manila Bay, Philippines, for a scheduled port visit.

Aquino greeted Carl Vinson Sailors as he toured the bridge, flight deck control and pri-fly areas. More than 100 Filipino Sailors gathered in Carl Vinson's Hangar Bay 2 to meet Aquino and take a group photo with the president.

"It is very exciting to visit the Carl Vinson," said Aquino. "We are very proud, and because of what you do here, we have peace and stability to make progress in our country."

Following Aquino's remarks, the Sailors surrounded him to shake his hand and take personal photos.

Senior Chief Personnel Specialist (SW/AW) Raymond Gloria, born in the Philippines, explained the importance of Aquino's visit to the ship.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet the president. His family is well-known, and they have made a lot of changes," said Gloria. "Most of the people out here have left their homeland for one reason or another. Being recognized by the president of their homeland of birth or nationality, they know they're welcome."

Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Jourdan Borcena, from San Diego, will be making his second trip to the Philippines, where he plans to meet his parents.

"I didn't expect the president. I thought there would just be some military personnel, and I was pretty surprised. It brings a lot of morale since there's such a large number of Filipinos on board," said Borcena.

"It's an honor to have the president visit our Sailors. My father was in the Navy, and he took me as a young boy to visit the Philippines. It's great to come back," said Capt. Bruce Lindsey, Carl Vinson's commanding officer. "The strength of the ship are the Sailors, and whether Philippine or U.S., Sailors are one and the same."

Carrier Strike Group 1, consisting of Carl Vinson, guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and Destroyer Squadron 1's guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 104) and guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), are transiting to Manila Bay, Philippines, as part of a western Pacific deployment.

SECNAV Says Tomodachi Made US, Japan Alliance Stronger

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Fidel C. Hart, USS Blue Ridge Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) thanked more than a thousand 7th Fleet Sailors and Marines in Yokosuka Apr. 20 who participated in disaster relief operations off the coast of Japan.

The Honorable Ray Mabus expressed his gratitude to Sailors assigned 7th Fleet ships USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Cowpens (CG 63), USS Shiloh (CG 67), USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), Stethem (DDG 63), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), and USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) who gathered at the Yokosuka waterfront for an all-hands call with SECNAV.

"To be as flexible as you were, to go from one mission to suddenly turn and do humanitarian assistance and disaster relief without costs, without changing any equipment, any people, changing any training and going from your normal day-to-day jobs without any hesitation and doing it so well, no other country can do that and no other service can do that like the people here," Mabus said.

Within hours of the earthquake and resulting tsunami that struck Japan March 11, much of the U.S. 7th Fleet was on the move, re positioning ships and aircraft to assist the Japanese Self Defense Force in their relief efforts.

The U.S. Navy brought 22 ships, 132 aircraft and more than 15,000 personnel to conduct missions as part of Operation Tomodachi.

Tomodachi is the Japanese word for 'friendship.'

In the days and weeks that followed, 7th Fleet forces delivered more than 260 tons of relief supplies to groups of isolated people ashore. They systematically mapped and cleared harbors from obstuctions to navigation, provided fuel and supplies to Japanese ships and aircraft, and searched more than 2,000 square miles of ocean in a concerted effort to find the remains of victims.

"There is no other force in the world other than the United States Navy and Marine Corps that could have done what you all did," Mabus said.

Mabus said Operation Tomodachi demonstrated the U.S. commitment to its longtime alliance with Japan.

"The partnership between America and Japan was made stronger because of what you did," Mabus said.

Following the all-hands call, Mabus took questions from the collection of Sailors and Marines and took the time to personally meet with many of them.