George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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Dtrljmoni (Eimes-Dispatet) THURSDAY, JUNE 18. 1992 TEST DRIVE. Crew members of the earner George Washington say the pace will pick up when more than 80 planes make their way to the ship. Crew takes its baby’ for a 3-day test run dcliv- BY MICHAEL STOWE times-dispatch Staff writer ABOARD THE GEORGE WASHINGTON — All was quiet aboard the carrier George Washington yesterday as the 97,000-ton war machine cruised toward Norfolk Na- val Base and the end of its three- lay test run. The 2,800 crew members walked through training exercises, chatted with co-workers and enjoyed 3 sunny day on the ship’s flight deck. It was a relaxed atmosphere, to say the least. We are just taking our baby out for a test run. just like a new car.” said Capt. Mai Branch, executive officer of the ship. All that will change July 20, however, when more than 80 airplanes make a roaring arrival on the deck of the $3.5 billion vessel. It’s going to be hectic — a lot louder and a much higher pace,” said Mark Persutti, who will oversee operations on the flight deck. Among the planes that will be taking off and landing on the 4.5-acre flight deck are F A-18C Hornets, F-14B Tomcats, E-2C Hawkcyes, S-3B Vikings and A-6E Intruders. Persutti and other crew mem- bers are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the planes. Commissioning is fun, but it's a pain in the butt. Persutti said. “Our biggest pride is when we are actually opera- tional. With sweat trickling down his face as he cleaned the threads of a jet blast deflector, Patrick Becklcy agreed. Once we get some planes in here. then things will get moving.” said Beck- ley, who works in the ship’s launch and recovery section. ”1 can't wait, that’s what we live and die for.” Although he was 20 feet away. Donald Long heard his co-worker talking and couldn’t contain his enthusiasm. July 20. that’s the day. baby, he yelled. Sleep is going to be nil. but it’ll be worth it. Once the carrier is operational, flight deck personnel will work about 20 hours a day, said Lt. Jeff Gradeck, public affairs officer for the ship. The Navy's sixth Nimitz-class carrier formally was delivered Monday by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. The ship will remain in the Norfolk port until its commissioning July 4. About 20,000 people arc expected to attend the ceremony. The nuclear-powered carrier, which can travel more than 1 million miles before refueling, is different in several ways from other Nimitz-class ships. Instead of using traditional Navy green colors, its rafters and passage- ways arc painted shiny white. “We feel that it opens up space and gives a feeling of a larger room,” said Capt. Robert M. Nutwcll, the ship’s com- mander. The Navy’s largest warship is 244 feet high — the equivalent of a 24-story building. The vessel can travel at more than 45 mph and its air-conditioning plant can cool the equivalent of 2.000 homes. Each of its two anchors weighs 30 tons, and the ship has more than 1,000 telephones. BIG SHIP. The Navy's sixth Nimitz-class carrier cost $3.5 billion and ered this week by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co.