Forward Deployed Aircraft Carrier News

The U.S. Navy on Wednesday said it had removed Seventh Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin after a series of collisions involving its warships in Asia as the search goes on for 10 sailors missing since the latest mishap. Aucoin's removal comes after a pre-dawn collision between a guided-missile destroyer and a merchant vessel east of Singapore and Malaysia on Monday, the fourth major incident in the U.S. Pacific Fleet this year. "Admiral Scott Swift, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, today relieved the commander of Seventh Fleet, Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin, due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command," the U.S. Navy said in a press release.

The U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), departed Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) May 7. Ronald Reagan's crew shifted colors at 11:54 a.m. and made way to conduct sea trials in the final phase of the ship's selective restricted availability (SRA) maintenance period, which began January 10. "I am extremely proud of the Reagan crew's accomplishments up to this point of our SRA period," said Capt. Buzz Donnelly, commanding officer.

Press release - Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike Stevens visited Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY), Japan, Oct. 15. CNO held an all-hands call with MCPON to address Sailors as Ronald Reagan made preparations to depart for her first patrol as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier. "Today is a historic day for Ronald Reagan, Japan and the alliance," said Richardson.

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) completed its carrier qualifications (CQ), May 23. CQ allows CVW 5 pilots and George Washington's flight deck crew to prove accuracy and proficiency in successfully landing and recovering aircraft. "We don't have the luxury of crawl-walk-run in the forward-deployed Navy," said Lt. Eric Alexander, flight deck officer aboard George Washington. According to Alexander, being a part of forward-deployed naval forces include having high expectations for the crew to always be trained and well prepared to operate at sea even during the ship's six-month maintenance period. "I am impressed with [George Washington's] rapid sortie and proficiency regeneration capability," said Capt.

In the small village of Guiuan, located in Eastern Samar province, villagers lined up outside the gate of a runway awaiting food, water and medical supplies to be delivered by helicopters from the 'George Washington Strike Group' (GWSG) in support of Operation Damayan. Guiuan was heavily affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan, which clocked winds up to 195 miles per hour (mph) with gusts up to 235 mph. Houses that were once big and colorful, are now gray and battered. Uprooted palm trees are now makeshift shelters, and water faucets are now showers.

The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) hosted Hong Kong government officials and media for a daylight embark, Nov. The 20 representatives visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier to gain a general orientation of the ship's mission in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. "We greatly value this visit and hope we can continue to work together as partners," said Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, commander, Battle Force U.S. 7th Fleet, as he welcomed the guests aboard the ship. Tom Cooney, acting consul general, U.S. Consulate General; and Maj. Gen.

The vice chief of naval operations (VCNO) met with several key leaders within the government of Japan and its Ministry of Defense Aug. 26. Adm. Mark Ferguson is at the beginning of a series of engagements in Tokyo, at several U.S. Navy installations in Region Japan, and with neighboring local government officials this week. During this first day of the trip, Ferguson met with the Japan Minister of Defense, Itsunori Onodera, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Vice Chief of Staff, Vice Adm. Eiichi Funada.

(Nov. 21, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits through the Pacific Ocean with Mt. Fuji in the background. George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam K. Thomas/Released)

Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) repair work will enable USS George Washington (CVN 73) to assume its role in Yokosuka, Japan, as our nation's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in September. Working as "One Shipyard," skilled personnel from two NAVSEA field activities -- Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) and Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) provided most of the craftsmen and skills required to complete the effort on Aug. 21, after only 91 days of repair work. The efforts of "One Shipyard" enabled a six-week reduction of USS George Washington's repair schedule from initial forecasts. "NAVSEA's One Shipyard concept provides the fleet customer with a more capable and more flexible maintenance resource," said Capt.

Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet announced June 9 the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) will replace USS George Washington (GW) (CVN 73) in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008 Exercise scheduled to take place in the Hawaiian operating area from June 29 through July 31. A fire occurred onboard GW on May 22 while the ship was at sea. The ship is currently in port at , , conducting repairs to spaces and equipment affected by the fire. The timeline for repairs to the ship has not yet been determined.

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (GW) (CVN 73) with its crew of approximately 3,200 Sailors departed , April 7, to begin its journey to , to replace USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the ' only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier. Commanded by Capt. Dave Dykhoff, the carrier will be the flagship for the George Washington Strike Group, commanded by Rear Adm. Phil Cullom and comprised of: Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17; guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59); homeported in Norfolk, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40 and the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99); homeported in Mayport, Fla. "Our Sailors, our families and the Navy have put together a tremendous effort to prepare GW for all aspects of this transition…

USS George Washington (GW) (CVN 73) left Norfolk Naval Shipyard on Aug. 27 and headed for sea trials. Sea trials, which are expected to be completed later this week, are traditionally the final hurdle for a shipyard maintenance availability and are designed to assess GW’s material readiness and ability to rejoin the fleet as a fully operational unit. Once complete, GW will return to the U.S. 2nd Fleet to commence final operational preparations to relieve USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Japan in 2008. The $300 million, 11-month Planned Incremental Availability plus Docking is expected to be completed on time and within budget. ”Sea trials are really the culmination of a lot of hard work.

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (RRCSG), pulled into Naval Station Pearl Harbor on April 9 for a scheduled port visit on the return leg of its 2007 deployment in support of operations in the Western Pacific. “The crew is excited to return to Hawaii because it means we are one step closer to home,” said Capt. Terry B. Kraft, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer. RRCSG is comprised of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 7, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7. The more than 6,000 Sailors assigned to the Ronald Reagan Strike Group deployed Jan. 27 from San Diego under the Navy’s Fleet Response Plan (FRP), which provides the U.S.

Off the port side of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), center, JS Myoko (DDG 175), right, and JS Hamagiri (DD 155) move into position to participate in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) between the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, is deployed in support of operations in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 concluded military operations as part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7, in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) on April 6. The more than 6,000 Sailors assigned to the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group deployed Jan.

Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 7, Rear Adm. Charles Martoglio, thanks a local child after receiving a lei from a local area child during a port visit to Busan, Republic of Korea. The Ronald Reagan is visiting Busan in conjunction with Exercise Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration/Foal Eagle (RSOI/FE) 2007. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is underway on a surge deployment in support of U.S. military operations in the Western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Joseph M. USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea, on March. 22 for a scheduled port visit in conjunction with Exercise Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration/Foal Eagle (RSOI/FE) 2007.

Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) guided missile destroyer JS Myoko (DDG 175) pulls alongside USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) for a refueling at sea (RAS). Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (RRCSG) took part in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the JMSDF in the Philippine Sea March 16-18. RRCSG and embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW) 14 are underway in support of operations in the western Pacific. U.S. USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (RRCSG) took part in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) in the Philippine Sea March 16-18. JMSDF ships participating in the PASSEX were the JS Myoko (DDG 175), JS Hamagiri (DD 155), JS Yuugiri (DD 153) and JS Haruna (DDH 141).

USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (RRCSG) took part in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) in the Philippine Sea March 16-18. JMSDF ships participating in the PASSEX were the JS Myoko (DDG 175), JS Hamagiri (DD 155), JS Yuugiri (DD 153) and JS Haruna (DDH 141). In addition to USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), U.S. Navy ships participating in the exercise were USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), USS Russell (DDG 59) and USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60). Additionally, Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7; Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7; and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 participated in the exercise. The goal of the exercise was for the RRCSG to work with their counterparts from the JMSDF in areas of mutual interest.

Cruising along side-by-side while pumping thousands of gallons of fuel, Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and guided missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) perform a fueling at sea (FAS). U.S. USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) earned the 2006 Commander Naval Air Force Carrier Battle Efficiency “E” award for the West Coast, the first Battle "E” ever for the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier. The announcement was made Feb. 26 as the crew enjoyed a five-day port visit to Sasebo, Japan. The highly sought-after Battle “E” is awarded annually to ships that display the maximum condition of readiness in their specific category, and for their capability to perform their wartime responsibilities.

The U.S. Navy announced that the USS George Washington will replace the USS Kitty Hawk as the forward deployed aircraft carrier in the western Pacific, according to a Stars & Stripes report. The Washington will arrive in Yokosuka, Japan in 2008. The USS George Washington was commissioned July 4, 1992. The ship returned from its sixth deployment in July 2004. It deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf in support of the Global War on Terror. Source: Stars & Stripes

As USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) enters its fourth month of a ship's restricted availability (SRA) period April 6, Sailors, Ship's Repair Facility (SRF) workers, and Japanese contractors work together to ensure the Navy's oldest active-duty warship remains in fighting shape. Maintenance and repairs being completed aboard Kitty Hawk affect almost every space and compartment on the ship. “As Kitty Hawk approaches her 45th birthday, I believe the team we have here is key to keeping Kitty Hawk battle ready. I know she’s as combat ready today as any other ship in the fleet thanks to the work done by the 2,000 Japanese contractors, SRF workers and the ship’s crew,” said Capt. Ed McNamee, Kitty Hawk’s commanding officer.

The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Carrier Strike Group (RRSG) entered the U.S. 7th Fleet’s area of responsibility (AOR) Feb. 9, as part of a surge deployment to promote peace, cooperation and stability in the region. Led by Rear Adm. Charles W. Martoglio, the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group will be filling the role of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), the Navy’s only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, which is undergoing scheduled maintenance in Yokuska, Japan. “Our friends and allies in the region can be assured of continued, robust interaction with our Navy in the form of mutual training opportunities, exchanges, and port visits,” said Martoglio, commander, Carrier Strike Group Seven (CCSG 7).