Military

USS George Washington's Hornets Support Vigilant Resolve

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040412-04

Release Date: 4/12/2004 12:39:00 PM

By Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet public affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- F/A-18 Hornets from Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7), flying from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in the Arabian Gulf, participated in Operation Vigilant Resolve last week.

On April 8, one of the Naval Air Station Oceana-based "Wildcats" from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131 conducted a 20-mm strafing run against an enemy position. Another VFA-131 Hornet dropped two 500-pound GBU-12 laser-guided bombs on another enemy position in Fallujah, Iraq, on April 9.

Both Hornets were recovered safely aboard the Norfolk, Va.-based carrier. An assessment of their missions is being conducted.

This was the first live ordnance dropped by CVW-7 aircraft since George Washington deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom on January 20. George Washington is currently the only U.S. aircraft carrier on station in the Arabian Gulf.