The USS George Washington (CVN 73) came back to Japan, another indication that American naval power is ubiquitous in the Indo-Pacific. Yokosuka’s forward-deployed carrier had fulfilled that role in the USS Ronald Reagan long enough. That responsibility now rests with the George Washington, rearmed, refurbished, and ready to pick up where it left off its tight engagement with Japan.
It was not a ship-to-ship swap. It was the result of years and months of talking with Japanese officials and materialized in the form of swapping whole air wings, brass hats, and a section of the crew.
Approximately 350 of its staff, approximately 13 percent of the crew of the Ronald Reagan, were shifted to the George Washington, where they implemented decades of distilled wisdom. They filled in with smooth continuity, maintaining hard-won knowledge on line and in the forefront, keeping the same old beat of operation.
Before leaving for Yokosuka, George Washington was given the most extensive refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding. The six-year, $2.8 billion regimen placed the carrier in as close to new condition as possible for the latter half of its active life. From nuclear reactors to combat systems and avionics, nearly everything was replaced or overhauled.
The refit itself was not without a fight. Pandemic delays and supply pushed the manpower to its limit, but were met and overcome by innovation and technological advancement, and the project stayed on schedule. Refurbished to the nth degree, the ship will be ready to accept the Navy’s next generation of aircraft, the F-35C Lightning II, with stealthier, longer-range, and more combat-capable features than its predecessors.
George Washington returning home is not all her equipment. Throughout the port visit, while manning the carrier decks, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III reinforced that a carrier advanced-deployed isn’t merely a vessel—it’s a message. “When America sends a message that it cares, it tends to send a United States Navy ship,” he affirmed.
And if the country must make that point forcefully, it deploys the entire carrier strike group. With Carrier Air Wing 5 and Destroyer Squadron 15, the George Washington is ready to clear important sea lanes, defend allies, and deter enemies on a moment’s notice.
Additional thanks go to the leadership with this turnover. Cmdr. Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk, commanding Carrier Strike Group 5 and Task Force 70 during turnover, complimented both crews on their commitment, referring to George Washington’s return as “a tangible and lasting reminder of our nation’s resolve to uphold peace, stability, and freedom in the region.”
Under the leadership of today’s Captain Timothy Waeds, who has led various Pacific and Indian Ocean deployments, the carrier lies safely moored and crewed to forward deployment needs.
George Washington enjoyed a good synchronization record with Japan. It was the first nuclear carrier to homeport in Japan in 2008, which marked a new chapter in US-Japan naval relations. It was the symbol of defense of the region and had been utilized for operations such as humanitarian assistance following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Its redeployment after years of upkeep and deployment overseas goes to verify the two countries’ storied history of collaboration.
And again today at Yokosuka, the USS George Washington is a rebuilt battleship and an old friend. New technology, seasoned sailors, and a new mission, she’s greater than the sum of her parts—a testament to the sailors who drive her, officers who chart her, and the centuries-long struggle to bring peace and stability to one of the world’s most important maritime regions.