George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 151 text:

 CINCUSNAVEUR dialed 9-1-1 GW responded at 30 knots On August 5. George Washingloo wu diverted from scheduled exercises in the eastern Mediterranean and called hack to the Adriatic Sea. The National Command Authority directed GW return to the area and provide immediate air support. The reason, to respond to Bosnian-Serb violations of the weapons exclusion rone on August 3. Two fully loaded EA-hBs from VAQ-140 were Launched from GW approximately 600 miles out to provide electronic warfare support. Two A-6K Intruders from VA-J4 were also sent for refueling support Once refueling was completed, the A-6hs relumed to GW. The EA-6Bs stayed overnight in Italy and returned to GW the next day. At the same time the places were bunched. GW's Engineering and Reactor crew were hard at work below decks ensuring that a speed of 30-plus knots w as maintained during the entire transit hack to the Adriatic. Their efforts ensured GW was on station on August 6. flying missions. It was no coincidence, however, that as soon as GW had arrived back in the waters off Bosnia, tensions quieted. The Bosman-Scrbs once again decided to comply with UN directives The GW CVW-7 team made yet another difference in shaping world events; so much so that the crew's port visit to Haifa. Israel, thought to be in doubt after the ship was diverted west, remained on schedule

Page 150 text:

CINCUSNAVEUR dialed 9-1-1 GW responded at 30 knots On August 5, George Washington was diverted from scheduled exercises in the eastern Mediterranean and called back to the Adriatic Sea. The National Command Authority directed GW return to the area and provide immediate air support. The reason, to respond to Bosnian-Serb violations of the weapons exclusion zone on August 3. Two fully loaded EA-6Bs from VAQ-140 were launched from GW approximately 600 miles out to provide electronic warfare support. Two A-6E Intruders from VA-34 were also sent for refueling support. Once refueling was completed, the A-6Es returned to GW. The EA-6Bs stayed overnight in Italy and returned to GW the next day. At the same time the planes were launched, GW’s Engineering and Reactor crews were hard at work below decks ensuring that a speed of 30-plus knots was maintained during the entire transit back to the Adriatic. Their efforts ensured GW was on station on August 6, flying missions. It was no coincidence, however, that as soon as GW had arrived back in the waters off Bosnia, tensions quieted. The Bosnian-Scrbs once again decided to comply with UN directives. The GW CVW-7 team made yet another difference in shaping world events; so much so that the crew’s port visit to Haifa, Israel, thought to be in doubt after the ship was diverted west, remained on schedule. Undeway 137 Day 78

Page 152 text:

CINCUSN AVEUR dialed 9-1-1 GW responded at 30 knots Day 78 On August 5. George Washington wax diverted from xchcsfalcd exer-cixex in the eaxlcm Mediterranean and called back to the AdriatK Sea. The Na tiorul Command Aulborit) directed GW return to the area and provide immediate air support. The reason, to respond to Boxman-Serb xiolaltont of the weapons exclusion one on August }. Two full) loaded I: A-6IK from VAQ-140 were launched from GW approximate!) 600 milev out to provide electronic warfare xupport. Two A-6E Intruders from VA-M were alxo xent for refueling xupport Once refueling wax completed, the A4Ei relumed to GW. The EA-6B1 xta)cd overnight in Italy and relumed to GW the next day. At the xamc time the planci were launched. GW'x Engineering and Reactor crew were hard at work below deck enxunng that a xpeed of .10-plus knotx was maintained during the entire transit bock to the Adriatic Their effortx ensured GW wax on station on August 6. living mis-lions. It was no coincidence, however, that as soon as GW had arrived back in the waters off Bosnia, tensions quieted The Boxnian-Serbs once again decided to comply with L'N directives. The GW CVW-7 team made et another difference tn shaping world events; so much so that the crew 's port visit to Haifa. Israel, thought to be in doubt after the ship was diverted west, remained on schedule.