CVN-73 is named after George Washington (1732-1799), 1st President of the United States of America (1789-1797).

George Washington is known for his greatness as a general and as the nation's first President. "And it may be truly said, that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great." (Thomas Jefferson about George Washington, 1814.)

Believed to have been taken during the ship's second deployment, January 26-July 23, 1996.

With her crew manning the rails, USS George Washington (CVN-73) heads out to sea on January 26, 1996, at the commencement of a scheduled six-month deployment to the Mediterranean. USS George Washington, commanded by CAPT Malcolm P. Branch, would be operating in the Adriatic Sea in support of the NATO peace keeping Operation Joint Endeavor. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Craig McClure (# 960126-N-6442M-002).

The U.S. Navy's nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the Nimitz-class USS George Washington (CVN-73) (right), as she refuels the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG-55) while transiting the Atlantic Ocean on January 30, 1996. This marked the first time the Stout came alongside an aircraft carrier for underway replenishment.

USS George Washington (CVN-73), USS America (CV-66) and ammunition ship USS Mount Baker (AE-34) in the Mediterranean Sea, 1996. Official U.S. Navy photo.

USS George Washington (CVN-73) breaks away from USS America (CV-66) for operations in the Adriatic Sea, following turnover operations in the Mediterranean. George Washington, commanded by US Navy Captain Malcolm P. Branch, assumed duties as part of Battle Force Sixth Fleet, while America prepared her return to her homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, following a highly successful six-month deployment that included operations in the Adriatic in support of NATO peace Operation Joint Endeavor. U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Chris Vickers, 11 February 1996 [960211-N-2381V-004].

The fleet oiler USS Merrimack (AO-179) (center) provides fuel to guided missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG-56) (left) and aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) (right) during replenishment at sea operations in the Persian Gulf on April 29, 1996. The three U.S. Navy ships were deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jim Vidrine, U.S. Navy (photo # 960429-N-7340V-001).

Underway in the Persian Gulf, 1996.

In the Med, 1996.

USS George Washington (CVN-73) at Corfu, Greece during her 1996 Med Cruise. Official U.S. Navy photo.

F-14B Tomcats assigned to VF-143 "Pukin' Dogs" with USS George Washington (CVN-73) in the background. Med Cruise, 1996. Official U.S. Navy photo.

The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Scranton (SSN-756) surfaces in the North Arabian Sea while the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) cruises in the background on May 9, 1996. The George Washington and her battle group were operating in the Persian Gulf where they conducted air patrols in support of Operation Southern Watch, the U.S. and coalition enforcement of the no-fly-zone over Southern Iraq. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jim Vidrine, U.S. Navy (# 960509-N-7340V-001).

The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) cruises through the eastern Mediterranean, 13 November 1997. George Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) were proceeding to the Persian Gulf to support UN efforts to compel Iraqi compliance with UN resolutions. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Robert Catalano [971113-N-0210C-001].

November 23, 1997 — The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) (left) comes alongside USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in the Arabian Gulf. With both carriers and their embarked air wings in the Gulf, the U.S. had some 100 strike aircraft operating in the region. The George Washington had joined Nimitz in support of Operation Southern Watch, enforcing the UN "No-Fly Zone" over southern Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Robert Catalano. [971123-N-0210C-003].

March 12, 1998 — USS George Washington (CVN-73) (foreground) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) steam side-by-side in the Persian Gulf. This was the first deployment for John C. Stennis which relieved George Washington in enforcement of the "No-Fly Zone" under Operation Southern Watch. George Washington then returned to her homeport in Norfolk, Va., after spending six months deployed to the region. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Brian Fleske (# 980312-N-0507F-002).

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Oct. 8, 1999 — USS George Washington (CVN-73) enters Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The aircraft carrier was participating in Broward Navy Days Fleet Week '99. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Brian Fleske (# 991004-N-0507F-005).

The Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 2, 2000 — USS George Washington (CVN-73) tests her countermeasure washdown system during a Chemical, Biological, Radiological (CBR) drill. George Washington was conducting carrier qualifications in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Robert Catalano. [000202-N-0210C-001].

The Atlantic Ocean, Mar. 6, 2000 — The guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60) steams off after refueling from USS George Washington (CVN-73) in the Atlantic Ocean. The Norfolk, Va.-based warships were preparing to conduct a Composite Training Exercise (COMPTUEX). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Third Class (AW) Brian Fleske (# 000306-N-0506F-003).

The Mediterranean Sea, July 12, 2000 — An SH-60 Seahawk helicopter of the "Red Lions" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron One Five (HS-15) flies by USS George Washington (CVN-73). The carrier and her embarked Carrier Air Wing One Seven (CVW-17) were operating in the Mediterranean Sea on a scheduled six-month deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Lisa Marcus (# 000712-N-3962M-003).

An SH-60 Seahawk attached to the "Red Lions" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron One Five (HS-15) conducts anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training near USS George Washington (CVN-73) in the Persian Gulf, July 25, 2000 in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Lisa Marcus (# 000725-N-3962M-003).

The Persian Gulf, Aug. 1, 2000 — USS George Washington (CVN-73) is met by a tug as she pulls into Jebel Ali, part of the city of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, for a scheduled port visit. The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates or states. George Washington was operating in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Lisa Marcus (# 000801-N-3962M-001).

The Persian Gulf, Sep. 24, 2000 — USS George Washington (CVN-73) underway in the Persian Gulf while on a scheduled six-month deployment to the area in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Lisa Marcus (# 000924-N-3962M-001).

An F/A-18 Hornet from the "Blue Blasters" of Strike Fighter Squadron Three Four (VFA-34) launches from the flight deck of USS George Washington (CVN-73) as the flight deck crew works around a second Hornet (from VFA-81 "Sunliners") October 2, 2000. The aircraft carrier was operating in the Mediterranean Sea during a scheduled six-month deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Johnnie Robbins (# 001002-N-5024R-002).

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