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USS George Washing Welcomes you
“It follows then as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious.�
-President George Washington
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The Ship’s Seal
Designed by the crew, the ship’s insignia includes a classic profile of the nation’s first president, a band of 13 stars representing the original colonies, and the crossed flags of freedom, all encircled by an unbroken rope representing the solidarity of the crew. “The Spirit of Freedom” was adopted as the ship’s motto. George Washington used this phrase in a letter to a fellow patriot during the Revolution to describe the mood of the people.
Captain Timothy C Kuehhas, USN Commanding Officer, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON
Captain Timothy Kuehhas, a native of Sayville, New York, graduated from the University of Dallas in 1987 with a degree in Mathematics and was commissioned an Ensign in June 1988 through Aviation Officer Candidate School. After completing flight training in Pensacola, Florida, he was designated a Naval Flight Officer and transferred to the EA-6B Fleet Replacement Squadron, Electronic Attack Squadron ONE TWO NINE, at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, where he trained to become an Electronic Countermeasures Officer. Shore assignments for Captain Kuehhas include Electronic Attack Squadron ONE TWO NINE serving as NATOPS Evaluator, Carrier Qualification Instructor, and Electronic Warfare Instructor. Captain Kuehhas served on the Joint Staff in the J6 Directorate as Action Officer and in the J3 Directorate as Primary Briefer to the Joint Staff Directors. He also served on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff as EA-6B and EA-18G Requirements Officer. Operational sea assignments for Captain Kuehhas include a junior officer tour with Electronic Attack Squadron ONE THREE EIGHT, a tour as Flag Lieutenant with Cruiser-Destroyer Group EIGHT, a Department Head tour with Electronic Attack Squadron ONE FOUR TWO, and Executive Officer and Commanding Officer tours with Electronic Attack Squadron ONE THREE TWO. Captain Kuehhas served as Executive Officer of USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) and his most recent assignment was Commanding Officer of USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44). Captain Kuehhas holds a master’s degree from the Naval War College in National Security and Strategic Studies and is a graduate of the Joint and Combined Warfighting School and the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command. He is authorized to wear the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (four gold stars), the Air Medal (Fourth Strike Flight Award), the Navy Commendation Medal (two gold stars), the Joint Achievement Medal, and other organization and personal awards, including the Battle Efficiency Award while commanding Electronic Attack Squadron ONE THREE TWO. Additionally, he was the 1995 Association of Naval Aviation’s Naval Flight Officer of the Year for Tactical Aviation.
From the Commanding Officer... On behalf of the more than 5,000 Sailors serving on board USS George Washington (CVN 73) we welcome YOU aboard “The Spirit of Freedom!” A mobile airfield that is able to travel more than 500 miles (800 kilometers) a day, GEORGE WASHINGTON is also a completely self-contained city with aircraft repair centers, food services, laundry, medical and dental facilities, gyms, stores and even its own television station. The approximately 70 aircraft of Carrier Air Wing TWO provide the ship with tremendous striking power and tactical flexibility, making GEORGE WASHINGTON one of the most powerful weapons systems in the world today. What I hope you remember most, after your visit, is that it takes good people to bring this mass of steel to life. The professional, young, hardworking Sailors are the lifeblood of GEORGE WASHINGTON. Each of them play a vital role in carrying out the mission of the ship. They are our most valuable resource. I encourage you to interact with them as much as you can during your stay on board. You will be amazed, as I am every day, at their maturity, as they make this up to 100,000 ton warship come to life every second of every day. These Sailors come from all walks of life, from every state and a few foreign countries. They all volunteer, most right out of high school, for many different reasons. Collectively, they are the greatest Navy the world has ever seen. They are proud of their ship and proud of what they do for the United States Navy and their country. They are proud to show you their ship and demonstrate its unparalleled potential. They stand ready to promote peace and security around the globe, sometimes at a moment’s notice, with honor, courage and commitment. As with our name sake, the father of our great country, George Washington, they stand ready to be first in war, but pray to be first in peace.
It’s a pleasure to have you aboard. Enjoy your visit!
Commanding Officer, USS George Washington
T.C. KUEHHAS
Captain Kenneth Strong, USN Executive Officer, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON
Captain Strong is a native of Seattle, Washington and graduated from The Johns Hopkins University in 1989 with a degree in Biochemistry. He received a commission through Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1992 and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1994. Captain Strong reported to the Seahawks of HSL-41 at NAS North Island, California for initial training in the SH-60B. His first operational assignment was with the Warlords of HSL-51 at NAF Atsugi, Japan from September 1995 to October 1998. Captain Strong’s next assignment was to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center at NAS Fallon, Nevada, where he helped stand up the Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course while also serving as the Surface Warfare Subject Matter Expert, Mountain Flying Program Manager, and an instructor for the Naval Special Warfare Close Air Support Terminal Controller Course, the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapon School and Carrier Air Wing training. In March of 2002 he reported to the Seahawks of HSL-47 at NAS North Island as the squadron Weapons and Tactics Instructor. Following graduation from Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Alabama in July of 2004, Captain Strong returned to HSL-47, completing two long deployments as Combat Element Two Officer-in-Charge onboard USS SHOUP (DDG 83) and as squadron Maintenance Officer onboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72). While Maintenance Officer the Squadron earned the 2005 Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award and in 2006 Captain Strong earned the Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific, Helicopter Aviation Award. From January 2007 until December 2008, Captain Strong served as the US European Command J6 Liaison Officer to NATO Headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium. From October 2009 until January 2011 he served as the Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of HSM77. During this time, the squadron completed one full work-up cycle, a combat deployment, a sustainment training cycle, and the beginning of another combat deployment all onboard the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) and Carrier Strike Group NINE ships. HSM-77 earned the 2010 and 2011 Commander, Naval Air Force Battle “E” Efficiency Awards, the 2011 Secretary of the Navy Safety Award, the 2011 and 2012 US Navy nominations to the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards, and the Secretary of Defense Phoenix Award for 2011, the 2010 and 2011 Pacific Fleet Retention Awards, and the 2011 Arnold J. Isbell ASW Excellence Award. Following Command, he served as the OPNAV Air Warfare Directorate (N98) MH-60R Requirements Officer. In October 2012, Captain Strong was selected for Major Command and began his Naval Nuclear Power training in February 2013. In 22 years of naval service, he has flown over 3,900 flight hours in 15 different aircraft.
Command Master Chief James Tocorzic Command Master Chief, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON
Command Master Chief Tocorzic is a native of Warren, Ohio and a 1989 graduate of Lincoln High School in Shinnston, West Virginia. He entered the Navy through the Delayed Entry Program and arrived for basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL in December 1989. He is currently the Command Master Chief, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73). Following Recruit Training, Naval Aircrew Candidate School and Aviation Structural Mechanic (AMS) “A” School, He reported to VP-30 in Jacksonville, FL. During his tour with VP-30 he was designated as a Naval Aircrewman (NAC) and completed the Flight Engineer Apprentice Program. He then transferred and qualified as a P-3 Flight Engineer while assigned to the “Fighting Tigers” of VP-8, Brunswick, ME. His follow-on tours as an Instructor Flight Engineer included: VP-5, Jacksonville, FL; VP-30, Jacksonville, FL where he served as an FRS Instructor and Fleet NATOPS Evaluator and VP-47, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. After deploying in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM he transferred to Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL. While assigned to the “Quarterdeck of the Navy”, he served as a Recruit Division Commander (RDC), Ship’s (Barracks) LCPO and Recruit Division Commander “C” School LCPO. He was selected into the Command Master Chief Program in 2009 and served as the final Command Master Chief onboard USS JOHN L. HALL (FFG-32), which decomissioned in March 2012. Most recently, he served as Command Master Chief of the “Fighting BLACKLIONS” of Strike Fighter Squadron 213 (VFA-213) and Carrier Air Wing ONE (CVW-1). In July 2015, he reported to USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), to assume the duties as the Command Master Chief. He is a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 151 Gold) and Command Leadership School, Newport Rhode Island. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air/Strike Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards) and various other unit awards. Master Chief Tocorzic is authorized to wear the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Naval Air Crewman and Information Dominance Warfare Specialist breast insignias; he is also a designated Master Training Specialist.
CVN 73 Facts & Figures y Compan ’s ip h S listed 3100 En Air wing d e t s li n E 1450 g er Air win ic f f O 0 5 2 ompany C ’s ip h S er 200 Offic
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USS GEORGE WASHINGTON
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LIFE ABOARD
CVN 73
USS GEORGE WASHINGTON
FLIGHT DECK OVERVIEW
Elevators Four elevators bring aircraft from the hangar bay to the flight deck. It takes about eight seconds to travel and each can hold two aircraft at a time.
Arresting Wires Each carrier-base aircraft has a tailhook with which the pilot catches one of four steel cables stretched across the deck. These cables will bring a plane traveling at 150 mph to a complete stop in 320 feet.
The Island houses... The Bridge, the primary control position of the ship underway, and where all orders and commands affecting the ship itself originate. Pri-Fly, located above the bridge, is the ‘tower’ of George Washington. From here, all aircraft within a 5nm range of the ship are directed.
The Ball RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) Defense against enemy aircraft and anti-ship missiles.
These lights aid pilots in flying the correct glide path for a landing. When the plane is on the correct path, the ‘ball’ is lined up with the green row of lights.
Multi-Colored Uniforms Sailors working on the flight and hangar decks wear colored jerseys and helmets, which indicate the nature of their jobs. YELLOW shirts direct the movements of aircraft. WHITE shirts handle safety-related jobs, including final inspections of airplanes. GREEN shirts hook planes to catapults, handle arresting gear wires and maintain aircraft. PURPLE shirts fuel the planes. BROWN shirts are plane captains who watch over individual planes. BLUE shirts operate elevators, drive tractors that pull aircraft, check and clear planes into position. RED shirts handle all weapons and ammunition.
Jet Blast Deflectors Protects crew and other planes from exhaust.
CIWS (Close-in Weapons System) Catapults Planes hook to the catapults via a ‘shuttle’ shown below.
Sea Sparrow Missiles Defense against enemy aircraft and anti-ship missiles.
The CIWS is an anti-ship missile defense cannon. It is capable of firing 3,500 rounds per minute.
SHIPS OF THE CARRIER ST The carrier strike group is an operational formation of the United States Navy. A typical strike is comprised of an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, several destroyers and a carrier air wing. The strike group may also include an attack submarine and replenishment ship. The carrier strike group could be employed in a variety of roles , all of which would involve the gaining and maintenance of sea control. The strike group may protect economic and military shipping, protect a Marine amphibious force while enroute to, and upon arrival in, an amphibious objective area, and establish a naval presence in support of national interests.
The AIRCRAFT CARRIER The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier (CVN) is the flag ship of the carrier strike group. The carrier supports and operates aircraft that engage in attacks on airborn, afloat and ashore targets that threaten free use of the sea and engage in sustained power projection operations in support of U.S. and coalition forces. Propulsion: Two nuclear reactors, four shafts, 260,000 - 280,000 shaft horsepower Length: 1,092 feet. Speed: In excess of 30 knots. Crew: Ship’s company: 3,000 - 3,200, air wing: 1,500
The GUIDED-MISSILE CRUISER The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser (CG) is a large combat vessel with multiple target response capability. It performs primarily in a Battle Force role with Air Warfare (AW), Undersea Warfare (USW), Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) and Surface Warfare (SUW)] capabilities in support of the carrier battle group. Propulsion: Four General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines; two shafts, 80,000 shaft horsepower total. Length: 567 feet. Speed: In excess of 30 knots. Crew: 30 Officers, 300 Enlisted.
The GUIDED-MISSILE DESTROYER The mission of the Arleigh Burke-Class guided missile destroyer (DDG) in the carrier strike group is providing primary protection for the aircraft carrier and battle group. DDGs are capable of Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) battles simultaneously. The ship contains myriad offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime defense needs well into the 21st century. Propulsion: Four General Electric LM 2500-30 gas turbines; two shafts, 100,000 total shaft horsepower. Length: 509 feet Speed: In excess of 30 knots. Crew: 276
TRIKE GROUP
THE CARRIER AIR WING The carrier air wing is the operational naval aviation organization of the United States Navy. Made to conduct carrier air operations when embarked aboard aircraft carriers,the various squadrons within the airwing may have different of completmentary missions. The air wing provides strike power and electronic warfare capabilities of a carrier strike group. A typical airwing may consist of four F/A-18 squadrons, one EA-18G squadron, one E-2D squadron, one helicopter squadron, and one S-3 squadron.
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet The Super Hornet is used as an attack aircraft as well as a fighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction and close and deep air support.Compared to the F/A18C/D Hornets, the Super Hornet has longer range, an aerial refueling capability, increased survivability/lethality and improved carrier suitability.
F/A-18C/D Hornet The single-seat Hornet is the nation’s fist strike-fighter. The Hornet increased the strike mission survivability from the F-14 Tomcat in fleet air defense. It is used as an attack aircraft as well as a fighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction and close and deep air support.
EA-18G Growler The Growler is a variant of the F/A-18 family that combines the Super Hornet platform with a sophisticated electronic warfare suite. The Growler replaced the EA-6B Prowler, making it the first newly-designed electronic warfare aircraft produced in more than 35 years. The Growler integrates the latest electronic attack technology with the multi-mission capabilities and ability to perform a wide range of enemy suppression missions of the Super Hornet.
E-2C/D Hawkeye The Hawkeye is the Navy’s all-weather, carrier-based tactical battle management airborne early warning command and control aircraft. The E-2 is a twin engine, five crewmember, high-wing turboprop aircraft with a 24-foot diameter radar rotodome attached to the upper fuselage.
SH-60H/F Sea Hawk Sea Hawk (SH-60H/F) helicopters perform combat search and rescue (CSAR), naval special warfare, anti-submarine warfare, vertical replenishment, anti-ship missile defense, and passenger and cargo transfer missions.
C-2A Greyhound The Greyhound provides critical logistics support to Carrier Strike Groups. Its primary mission is the transport of high-priority cargo, mail and passengers between carriers and shore bases. The Greyhound is a derivative or the E-2D Hawkeye and replaces the piston-engine powered C-1 Trader in the Carrier Onboard Delivery role.
About
George Washington O
n April 30, 1789, George Washington, standing on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York, took his oath of office as the first President of the United States. “As the first of everything, our situation will serve to establish a precedent,” he wrote James Madison. “It is devoutly wished on my part that these precedents may be fixed on true principles.” Born in 1732 into a Virginia planter family, he learned the morals, manners, and body of knowledge requisite for an 18th century Virginia gentleman. He pursued two intertwined interests: military arts and western expansion. At 16, he helped survey Shenandoah lands for Thomas, Lord Fairfax. Commissioned a lieutenant colonel in 1754, he fought the first skirmishes of what grew into the French and Indian War. The next year, as an aide to Gen. Edward Braddock, he escaped injury although four bullets ripped his coat and two horses were shot from under him. From 1759 to the outbreak of the American Revolution, Washington managed his lands around Mount Vernon and served in the Virginia House of Burgesses. Married to a widow, Martha Dandridge Custis, he devoted himself to a busy and happy life. But like his fellow planters, Washington felt himself exploited by British merchants and hampered by British regulations. As the quarrel with the mother country grew acute, he moderately but firmly voiced his resistance to the restrictions. When the Second Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia in May 1775, Washington, one of the Virginia delegates, was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. On July 3, 1775, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, he took command of his ill-trained troops and embarked upon a war that was to last six grueling years. He realized early that the best strategy was to harass the British. He reported to Congress, “We should on all occasions avoid a general action, or put anything to the risqué, unless compelled by a necessity, into which we ought never to be drawn.” Ensuing battles saw him fall back slowly, then strike unexpectedly. Finally in 1781, with the aid of French allies, he forced the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Washington became a prime mover in the steps leading to the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia in 1787. When the new Constitution was ratified, the Electoral College unanimously elected him President. He did not infringe upon the policy making powers that he felt the Constitution gave Congress. But the determination of foreign policy became preponderantly a Presidential concern. When the French Revolution led to a major war between France and England, Washington refused to accept entirely the recommendations of either his Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, who was pro-French, or his Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, who was pro-British. Rather, he insisted upon a neutral course until the United States could grow stronger. To his disappointment, two parties were developing by the end of his first term. Wearied of politics, feeling old, he retired at the end of his second term. Washington enjoyed less than three years of retirement at Mount Vernon, for he died of a throat infection December 14, 1799. For months the Nation mourned him.
CVN 73 HISTORY George Washington. The mere mention of the name can evoke thoughts of patriotism and heroism. For USS George Washington (CVN 73) and its embarked air wing, these ideals are a way of life. When the 3,300 Sailors who comprise the GW Team set sail, they embody “The Spirit of Freedom.” The cornerstone of our nation’s national defense strategy, the aircraft carrier provides the forward-deployed flexibility required to maintain the United States’ influence overseas. With the ability to rapidly move from one geographical point to another, the carrier can play a critical role in a world crisis. Since commissioning, GEORGE WASHINGTON has made a total of five Mediterranean Sea/Arabian Gulf deployments. During GW’s maiden deployment, the ship proudly served as the backdrop for the 50th anniversary of D-Day. In 1996, during its second deployment, GEORGE WASHINGTON was host to a historic meeting of the Joint Military Commission comprised of the military leaders of the Former Warring Factions in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The ship also played a vital peacekeeping role in Operation Decisive Endeavor in Bosnia-Herzegovina and enforced the “No Fly” zone over Southern Iraq in Operation Southern Watch. On its third deployment from October 1997 to April 1998, GW spent most of its six-month deployment in the Arabian Gulf as the cornerstone of the U.S. military force, which compelled Iraq to allow United Nations weapons inspectors into their country. During its fourth deployment from June to December 2000, GEORGE WASHINGTON again was the cornerstone of America’s military might during its six-month deployment to the same region. GW and its carrier air wing supported Operation Enduring Freedom on its fifth deployment in 2002. Jets leaving from GW’s flight deck offered air support over Afghanistan for troops on the ground, proving that even landlocked nations are not beyond GW’s reach. The ship also supported Operation Southern Watch in Iraq, maintaining the “No-Fly” zones. In 2004, GW was once again in the Arabian Gulf providing air support over ground troops in Iraq as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The ship was on station in the region when that government was turned over to the Iraqi people on June 28. After participating in the Partnership of the Americas in 2006, GEORGE WASHINGTON entered a year-long dry-dock period at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, where the ship received structural repairs and numerous technological upgrades. After departure from NNSY, GW departed Norfolk, VA in April 2008 taking part in the Partnership of the Americas on its way to the Seventh Fleet Area of Operations. GW assumed duties from USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) in the summer of 2008 and became part of Battle Forces Seventh Fleet. Serving as the flagship for Commander, George Washington Carrier Strike Group, GEORGE WASHINGTON has numerous capabilities, including its primary mission to conduct sustained flight operations over opposing enemy forces, as well as fleet maintenance repair and command and control.