The USS George Washington (CVN 73), a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, has been deployed to Philippine waters, highlighting strengthened defense ties between the US and the Philippines amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.
“We share the values of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. That’s why we’re out here, we know the importance of this region — it’s a vast region, many nations, most of them are coastline. The importance of the open and free sea lane, just from a commercial aspect alone, is important to them, it’s important to us,” said Capt. Timothy Waits, commanding officer.
“There are other ships that are working with us, that are coming in as well,” Waits told reporters.
The 1,092-foot, 116,700-ton carrier quietly departed its homeport in Yokosuka Naval Base last month, embarking on its first patrol since returning to Japan last year. Its deployment coincides with increased Chinese naval activity across the Pacific region.
“This is a typical patrol for us. We’re out here to do what we do and express those shared ideals with our partners and allies in the region — and that is the free and independent Indo-Pacific ideal that we have,” he said.
Named after the first U.S. president, the USS George Washington serves as the U.S. Navy 7th Fleet’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier. At 1,092 feet long—longer than the Metrobank Center, the tallest building in the Philippines—it is one of the world’s most powerful warships, capable of supporting a broad spectrum of military and humanitarian missions.
The carrier was last deployed to the Philippines in 2013 to assist in search and rescue operations and disaster relief following Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Commissioned on 4 July 1992, the USS George Washington is the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name. It remains a key asset of America’s forward-deployed presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier currently serves as the flagship of the US carrier strike group deployed to the Western Pacific.
During its previous port visit to Manila on 23 October 2014, the USS George Washington engaged in a series of joint naval exercises with the Philippine Navy. These drills focused on ship maneuvering, communication protocols, and gunnery operations.
The exercises aimed to boost interoperability and reinforce the defense partnership between the two allied nations.
“The open and free sea lanes, from a commercial aspect alone, are important to the region. It’s important to us. And in that way, we share those values so that our being out here and the patrols we go on show that commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” Waits added.
