George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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Rhodes. Grooce 185

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I Suez Canal. Red Sea. Arabian Gull 187 Day 99 It took less than a day, 14 hours and 88 miles to be specific, but George Washington's first-ever transit through the Suez Canal will probably be regarded as one of the most intense days of steaming on the deployment. The crew will remember the Suez transit more because of the precision and diligence it took to snake through a waterway narrower in most places than the ship is long. News of GW's first Suez transit made its way back to the states, as pictures like this bow shot appeared in Norfolk's Virginian Pilot and Ledger Star. GW was headed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation “Southern Watch. CVW-7's planes would fly over Iraq and help enforce the Iraqi no-fly zone below the 32nd parallel. But while going through “the ditch, the airwing's planes didn't look at all like they were ready to fly. Landing gear and exposed parts were wrapped, taped and sealed shut to keep out sand. The no-fly day gave the catapult crews time to perform maintenance on their equipment.