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Strike Group Departs Manila Following Historic Port Visit

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090819-04
Release Date: 8/19/2009 1:25:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dave Reynolds

MANILA, Republic of the Philippines (NNS) -- The George Washington Carrier Strike Group, centered around the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS George Washington (CVN 73) (GW), departed Manila Bay Aug. 15 after making a scheduled port visit to the capital city.

The four-day visit promoted goodwill and professional exchange between the U.S. Navy and its host country through a series of visits by Republic of the Philippines Navy personnel, government leaders and local media. It was the first port visit to Manila by a U.S. aircraft carrier in more than 13 years.

On board the aircraft carrier, Sailors and officers hosted a series of military-to-military professional exchanges with their counterparts from the Republic of the Philippines Navy. CVW-5 aviators, as well as Sailors from various shipboard departments — including aviation intermediate maintenance, combat systems, engineering, media and navigation — led tours of their spaces and equipment, spoke about the role they play in the ship's mission and even provided demonstrations.

GW Operations Officer Cmdr. Anthony Calandra said the exchanges were a good opportunity for servicemembers from both navies to share information and recognize their similarities.

"I think it's really important that we continue to establish a good rapport with our Filipino partners," said Calandra. "We are two sovereign nations working together, and we have a lot of common goals and common ground."

Rear Adm. Donegan participated in a wreath-laying ceremony Aug. 12 at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. The ceremony honored the 17,202 U.S. and Filipino service members who were laid to rest there, many of whom died while serving in World War II. A group of two dozen strike group Sailors joined Donegan on a tour of the historic memorial.

Cowpens and Fitzgerald Sailors joined GW/CVW-5 Sailors on liberty throughout the city, and also by volunteering for 12 different community service projects throughout Manila.

During a period of three days, more than 250 Sailors participated in projects including the delivery of medical supplies, hospital visits, light construction work, painting and public health education, as well as working in a number of local schools. Sites included the Florencio V. Bernabe Jr. Memorial Hospital and Veterans Memorial Medical Center, a beach clean-up of Manila Bay along Roxas Boulevard and a tree-planting at Nuvali, a mixed-use land complex south of Manila.

GW, commanded by Capt. David A. Lausman is the flagship of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, commanded by Rear Adm. Kevin M. Donegan. The strike group includes embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) and guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62).

GW is making its inaugural summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan in support of stability and security in the Western Pacific region. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier replaced USS Kitty Hawk last year as the Navy's forward-deployed carrier presence. The ship and crew departed Yokosuka June 10.