George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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(7' had been more than half a year • y since IiSS George Washington had ailed. Finall on July 31,2001 GW began Rea trials, a four-day exercise that tested all the new equipment the ship reeei ed during the planned incremental availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Over the next eleven months, O'M' would go through months of training ard testing to evaluate whether the ship would he ready for the scheduled six-month deployment in the summer of 2002. The ship was in the midst of carrier qualifications off the Virginia Capes in the Atlantic Ocean when the events of September 11 unfolded. From September 12 to September 15. the carrier provided air support for New York in coordination with the North American Aerospace Defense Command. After passing its qualifications, the carrier began the Inter-Deployment Training Cycle. From November 2 to November 20. GIF took part in the first combined training event of the 1DTC known as the Tailored Ship’s Training Availability, or TSTA. The TSTA is conducted in two phases. The first phase consists of two weeks at the pier, conducting numerous damage control, communications, medical, and other drills. The next phase consists of two weeks of underway training. This underway period combines both flight operations for the air wing and shipboard drills, including general quarters, damage control, man overboard and fire drills. Upon completion of TSTA I II, GW was deemed proficient in all mission areas. From November 29 through Feburary 15, America s Carrier participated in six more weeks of carrier qualifications, splitting our time between the sea and our loved ones in Norfolk. During this time, the ship took on ammunition, ran more medical and damage control drills and was the centerpiece during a battle group sail for two weeks in February.