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GW Conducts Multiple Live-Fire Exercises

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080212-11
Release Date: 2/12/2008 10:53:00 AM

By Mass Communication 3rd Class (SW/AW) Najah M. Stanford, USS George Washington Public Affairs

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- USS George Washington (CVN 73) (GW) completed several live-fire exercises Feb. 7-9, in preparation of its scheduled transition to replace USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier.

The live-fire exercises included testing of the NATO Sea Sparrow, Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) and the Phalanx Close-in Weapons System (CIWS).

GW Commanding Officer, Capt. Dave Dykhoff, hailed the exercises as a success, while noting how important these tests were for ensuring future readiness.

"Exercising these systems and knocking down several targets gives us great confidence in our ability to defend ourselves against airborne threats," he said. "It's an important step in ensuring we're fully ready to replace USS Kitty Hawk this summer as the forward-deployed carrier."

One of GW's tactical action officers, Lt. Michael Greentree, lauded the teamwork involved and acknowledged his Sailors' achievement.

"An event like this has many moving parts, but everyone worked extremely well together to ensure we had several safe and successful exercises," said Greentree. "The effectiveness of these systems is matched in every way by the men and women who maintain and operate this great equipment."

The Sea Sparrow is an all-weather, all-altitude capable missile that can attack high-performance aircraft, missiles and surface combatants. RAM is an all-weather, high-firepower, low-cost, self-defense system against anti-ship cruise missiles and other airborne threats. The CIWS is a 20-millimeter Gatling gun with search and tracking radar to provide surface ships with terminal defense against anti-ship missiles.

Testing the ship's self defense system by conducting live-fire exercises develops crew proficiency and confidence. Both traits are essential aspects of readiness for maritime security operations that will be a large part of GW's tasking as the forward-deployed aircraft carrier.

"We do these exercises because we have to ensure all the weapons used for the ship's defense work properly," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Sam Fikes of Combat Systems Department.

Another important aspect of these exercises was to test the upgrades installed during GW's recent Planned Incremental Availability plus Docking at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

"This was GW's first live-fire missile exercise since we left the shipyard in August, and the outstanding success of our engagements really validated the quality of the new systems and all the hard work that got us here," said Combat Systems Officer, Cmdr. Mark Loose.

For some Sailors the greatest reward comes from just being involved in something most civilians never get to see.

"I would say the best part of my job would have to be seeing these machines in action," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Colleen Nollet of Combat Systems Department.

For more news from USS George Washington, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn73/