George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 188 text:

 GBOi-GE WASHIKIGTO: His tor i Mission;, and T 1he predecessor »1 the current Cruiser-Destroyer Group TWO was Destroyer Flotilla TWO, established during World War I in Newport, Rhode Island. In 1973, Destroyer Flotilla TWO was redesignated Cruiser- Destroyer (.roup I W (). After the commissioning of USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CN N 73), Cruiser- Destroyer Group I W () was permanently assigned as the Battle Group Staff in 1993 for the newly established GEORGE WASHINGTON Battle (’.roup (GWBATGRU). In addition to GEORGE WASHING I ON, GW BA IGRU, which is commanded by Commander, Cruiser Destroy Group TWO, is comprised of the cruisers USS NORMANDY (CG 60) and USS MONTEREY (CO 61), Destroy Squadron TWO SIX and its five surface combatants, Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN and its eight aviation squadrons, the submarine USS OKLAHOMA CITY (SSN 723), and the auxiliary ship USNS SUPPLY (T-AOE 6). er er The overarching mission of the Cruiser-Destroyer Croup I WO staff is to plan and execute sustained operations exercises in Surface, Subsurface, Air, and Strike Warfare, as directed by the numbered Fleet Commanders, while deployed. Specifically, the Commander is tasked to assist Ivpe Commanders in overseeing the preparation of Battle Group assets for extended deployments by developing long range schedules and plans, and supervising all preparations associated with the Interdeployment I raining Cycle (IDTC). The end result of these efforts ensures that all assigned ships achieve and maintain the highest possible state of operational and material readiness. Our 2002 deployment was focused on the Global War on Terrorism, w hich took the staff and its battle group to the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, the North Arabian Sea and the Arabian Gulf, and put our aircraft in the skies over Afghanistan and Iraq Operations FREEDOM and WATCH. Additionally, units conducted Interception (MIO) by boarding searching for illegal contraband, the sale of weapons of mass Leadership Operations (LIO) by and Al-Qaida Southwest Asia waters of the Arabian in support of ENDURING SOU I H ER N GWBATGRU Maritime Operations vessels and Iraqi oil and w hich might fund destruction, and Interdiction hunting Taliban leadership fleeing through the Sea in search for m I safe havens. In cooperation with Coalition forces, our aircraft patrolled the skies of Afghanistan to provide close air support for troops on the ground who were hunting for this same leadership, and they flew over the skies of Iraq, patrolling the No-Fly Zone for unauthorized Iraqi military aircraft, as well as monitoring the ground for unauthorized weapon and radar systems that could pose a threat to friendly aircraft. Two months into our deployment, the GEORGE WASHING ION returned to the Mediterranean Sea, marking the first time in several years that the SIXTH Fleet Commander had a significant combat credible force at his disposal. While on station, the battle group continued Maritime Interception Operations, conducted intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and maintained both air wing and surface ship Strike Warfare proficiency through participation in numerous exercises and daily training. Additionally, the battle group conducted theater engagement, by hosting many foreign dignitaries and participating in several multi-national exercises. MED SHARK 02 was a week-long bi- lateral exercise between the U.S. Navy and the Royal Moroccan Air Force and Navy that afforded U.S. and Moroccan Pilots the opportunity to conduct cross training in dissimilar aircraft. The success of this exercise will surely lead to increased involvement between the two countries. The NATO exercise DESTINED GLORY provided an opportunity to strengthen the bonds between several allied nations and helped maintain our readiness. I Ins command and control exercise imolved the GEORGE WASHINGTON and the air wing as an opposition force against British, Spanish, french, and Italian air, surface and subsurface forces off the coast of Sardinia. The battle group's influence in fleet will be a lasting one for years to come.

Page 187 text:

 MA'Si'D'B'S. HlitJ G' ' '■ ■' ' - ear Admiral Joseph A.Sestak, Jr., was born in Springfield. Pennsylvania on Pec. 12, 1951. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in American Political Systems. Ordered to duty in the Atlantic Fleet, Rear Admiral Sestak served Division Officer tours as Damage Control Assistant, Combat Information Center Officer and Weapons Officer aboard CSS RICHARD E. BYRD (DDG 23). Rear Admiral Sestak then received a Master's Degree in Public Administration and a Ph.I). in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After- completion of Department Head School in Newport, Rhode Island, Rear Admiral Sestak was ordered to the West Coast aboard CSS HOEI. (DDG 13) as Weapons Officer. Subsequently, he served as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. In January 1986. Rear Admiral Sestak became Executive Officer of CSS UNDERWOOD (FFG 36). Following this tour, he served in the Politico- Military Assessment Division of the Joint Staff in support of the Joint Chiefs of Staff until Januan 1991. Rear Admiral Sestak took command of the CSS SAMCEL B. ROBERTS (FFG 58) on Mi August 1991. In 1993, SAMUEL B. ROBERTS was namcd JoSroii SzSZtt, ll. Sestak rrpor 'd o' e ffice'ofThe WefofN arO 6 B “Cnberj’ “P selection- M' 1993, Rear Admiral November 1994 to March 1997 he was tho iv - Peratioris as Head, Strategy and Concepts Branch. From the White House. In Mav 1997 he he r™ °f °r )e e,,sc 0,ic.v on ,,u‘ National Security Council staff at From December DeS'r0Ver “■« «• « « RTEE Y Of the Chief of Naval Operations II ■ fh ?d ‘,S D,rector' Strategy and Policy Division (N51), in the Office until September 2001, after which he s'' h ).irector (,t thc N,av.v Quadrennial Defense Review office w ar on terrorism until December 2001 11 ),reCtor the av.v Operations (.'roup in support of the Washington Battle Group). 1 S currcn,lv ( omniander. Cruiser Destroyer Group TWO (George Serv ice Medal, Legion oCMeritw ,hC Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Commendation medal, NavvCommpnHa - ‘ ar’ Meritorious Service Medal with a Gold Star. Joint Sen ice is married to the former Susan I f I l °? m ? 8 vith hvo Go,(i Stars and the Nov Achievement Medal. He • C, rk and ,he have a daughter. Alexandra. Ittat Adiniml

Page 189 text:

roKj cfcitf of tt«rr Ca talu Oat ttlcfea CAPrJOSEPH JOIIWXES CDK STEPHEN CDR I.ISA FRANCHETTI II WIPTON ( DU CHARLES LIVINGSTON SR LCDR JAMES CDUJOHN MI NN I)V ID HOI1 l.( DU WILLIAM COOKE LCDR JAMES GARNER CDR THOMAS GELKER IX DU JOHN GURLEY