GW Passes Through Strait of Gibraltar
Navy Newsstand
Story Number: NNS040721-13
Release Date: 7/21/2004 3:52:00 PM
By Journalist 2nd (SW/AW) John Osborne, USS George Washington Public Affairs
USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- In the early morning hours of July 20, USS George Washington (CVN 73) (GW) transited the Strait of Gibraltar, the last of the choke points along the route home.
With the Mediterranean Sea in her rear view mirror, the way is now clear for GW to head west across the Atlantic Ocean for Norfolk. GW left her homeport of Norfolk, Va., Jan. 20, to rejoin the global war on terrorism.
The successful passage throught the Strait of Gibraltar was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for some Sailors and a definite morale booster for the crew, who are now allowing themselves to think more about getting home.
"Seeing Africa on one side and Spain on the other was just a confirmation to me that not only were we out of the (Persian) Gulf, but leaving the Mediterranean as well," said Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class (AW) Jon Shnnett of Electronic Attack Squadron 140. "We're on our way home, and I can't wait to see my children. Our mission is complete, but it won't be our last. We're just going to let someone else take care of it for now."
From March 1 through July 5, GW and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 were the only carrier and air wing team on station in the Persian Gulf. Their participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) was crucial to the June 28 handover of government to the Iraqi people. Flying more than 1,500 sorties in OIF, CVW-7 aircraft provided deterrence, surveillance, electronic jamming and dropped nearly 82 tons of ordnance in support of U.S. ground troops.
Upon return to Norfolk July 26, GW will remain in a surge status through the end of the year.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
