George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 245 text:

Getting a peak of the rock Good weather, coupled with a daytime transit, made for a picture-postcard view of the Rock of Gibraltar. The feeling that G W was just days J'rotn homecoming with friends and family set in as the Rock” slowly vanished below the horizon. Still, work continued. Training, the ever present staple of a well-prepared crew, was ongoing as evidenced by a Marine fast-rope exercise on the flight deck. Underway 229

Page 244 text:

228 Underway i

Page 246 text:

180+1: High winds delayed maiden homecoming I I n six months. George Washing-. ton had steamed more than 50.000 miles. Who would have thought Mother Nature would have had such a dramatic affect on the last mile. November 17 was a day carved in stone. Homecoming was imminent. But. as fate would have it, gale-force winds made conditions unsafe to moor on Day 180. Instead, GW anchored within sight of Pier 12. Anticipation, elation, and resolve were all part of the 230 Homecoming mix of emotions felt by both the crew and their loved ones ashore as the ship remained at anchorage one more night. Homecoming had been postponed to Day 181. In a great show of flexibility and compassion, the ship, despite being at anchorage, was able to arrange helicopter transportation ashore for the nearly 180 new fathers. That event dominated the news coverage that evening as America's newest carrier remained at sea. The early inions were truly emotional. The following momin George Washington came to life as rd was passed: “UNDERWAY, SI FT COLORS”...the deployment vas over!