George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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188 Suez Canal. Red Sea. Arabian GuH i

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rpi — lhe Suez... lhe first time Through the Suez Canal and into the Red Sea Day 99 TI look kss than a day. 14 hour •land SS mile to be specific. but George Washington's fir l-cvcr irantit through the Sue Canal will prctably be regirded as one of the mo t inten e di -» of ttciming on the deploy ment. Thc crew will rcmmlvr the Sue transit more because of the precision and diligence it look to snake through a waterway narrower in most places thin the ship is keg New of GW’s first Suer transit male its way hack to the states, at picture like this bow shot appeared in Norfolk's Virginian Pilot and Ledger Star. GW was headed to the Arabian Gulf in stgport of Operation Southern Watch. CVW-7' plane would fly o «r Iraq and help enforce the Iraqi roily acme below the 32nd parallel. But while going through the ditch. the airwing' plane didn't look at all like they were ready to fly. Landing gear and etposed pans were wrapped, taped and scaled shat to keep out sand. The no-fly day gate the catapult crews time to perform maintenance on their equipment. tar

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Spectator sport Passing through the Suez Canal ” was a spectator sport for those in the crew not on watch. They were able to go onto the flight deck and see Egypt’s barren desert plains. Inside the ship, vendors, who had embarked the ship for the transit, sold traditional souvenirs to the crew. Suez Canal. Rod Sea. Arabian Gull 189