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GW Completes Participation in Talisman Saber

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090729-07
Release Date: 7/29/2009 4:37:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John J. Mike

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- USS George Washington (GW) (CVN 73) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 completed their participation in Talisman Saber 09 (TS09) July 25.

TS is a biennial exercise through which Australian and U.S. forces practice interoperability in a variety of mission areas, ranging from combat operations to humanitarian assistance.

Commander, CVW-5 Capt. Michael S. White said TS09 tested the GW Carrier Strike Group and Australian forces' ability to respond effectively to possible crises or small conflicts in the region.

"The Australian [forces] are very similar to us, in the tactics they use and in the way they fly," White said. "Having Australians work with us on our staff as we develop plans increased the interoperability and the partnership we share."

CVW-5 aviators flew more than 600 sorties in support of TS09. The extra missions gave the air wing a unique opportunity to make multiple strikes on simulated targets in central and northern Australia, said White.

"Typically at sea, we use small islands or rocks for ordnance practice," White said. "TS09 allowed us to use the very advanced ranges in Australia, which forced our aviators to identify the proper target and practice dropping ordnance on it."

More than 80 tons of ordnance was put on target, on time during TS09 due to the hard work of Sailors from GW's Weapons Department, according to the Lt. Cmdr. Jerry Bartee, GW's ordnance handling officer.

He explained TS09 allowed weapons department an opportunity to integrate its five divisions in order to ensure ordnance worked the first time, every time.

"My Sailors responded well to the combat-like operations," said Bartee. "The process of moving ordnance from the magazines, all the way until it reaches the aircraft, required all divisions to work as a team."

Following the successful completion of GW's participation in TS09, the embarked Australian liaison officer reflected on the underlying themes of the exercise.

Royal Australian Navy Cmdr. Neill Bell, one of seven Australian service members embarked aboard GW for TS09, said the chance to operate aboard the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier enhanced readiness by promoting teamwork and cooperation between service members of both nations.

"We were lucky to be on board GW," Bell said. "We were able to integrate with the GW/CVW-5 team and learn how they operate at sea, and we will be able to bring those capabilities to Australian ships. The biggest thing is we were able to develop friendships through visits made to each other's countries and units, and allowed us to understand our respective cultures and how we work."

GW, commanded by Capt. David A. Lausman, is the flagship of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, commanded by Rear Adm. Kevin M. Donegan. GW is currently making its inaugural summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan since relieving USS Kitty Hawk last year.

The strike group is also comprised of CVW-5, Destroyer Squadron 15, and the guided-missile cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Cowpens (CG 63).

For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn73/.