George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) Following an intense, challenging training period, the GEORGE WASHINGTON and her air wing sailed from Norfolk on January 26th to begin a “Great Adventure' that spanned six months. The most powerful instrument of peace afloat, the GW. with such awesome power, causes potential adversaries to think twice about challenging the United States. From the chilly water of the Adriatic Sea off Bosnia where GW supported the NATO Implementation Force to the steamy climate of the Arabian Gulf where GW enforced the no fly” zone in Iraq, regional peace was maintained in a large measure due to the “Spirit of Freedom . Using the most sophisticated and technologically advanced systems ever assembled at sea. the talented crew of GEORGE WASHINGTON daily demonstrated their mettle. Empowered to be innovative, they earned the praise of all who watched them perform. Afloat or ashore, each was a goodwill ambassador for the United States. The crew of GEORGE WASHINGTON are dedicated, selfless patriots of our country. They are the heart and soul of this great warship. This book documents the second deployment of the ship bearing the name of our first American President. Its pages are dedicated to the operators of the most sophisticated and powerful warship in the world. It shows them at work and at play as they lived our “Great Adventure”. They embody the spirit and dedication of the ship's namesake. On July 23rd of 1996, GEORGE WASHINGTON and Carrier Air Wing 7 returned from a very successful deployment in support of world peace. With the arrival in our homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, this talented team of professionals had completed one of the safest workups and deployments ever conducted. It has been my distinct privilege to serve as the Captain of this great team. It is my hope that each subsequent deployment will be as successful and safe as this one. May GEORGE WASHINGTON always to be our Nation's strongest instrument of peace. MALCOLM P. BRA.NGH CAPTAIN. U.S. NAVY COMMANDING OFFICER