Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 15, 2025.

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 15, 2025. The USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWA CSG) is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest number

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751459300633USS-George-Washington.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 15, 2025. The USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWA CSG) is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Released
LCDR Mark Langford </div>ABOARD USS GEORGE WASHINGTON — The US Navy’s Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) has been deployed in Philippine waters, underscoring the deepening defense cooperation between Manila and Washington amid continued tensions in the South China Sea.The ABS-CBN News team was among the select members of Philippine media who boarded the USS George Washington on Wednesday while it navigated the disputed waters and conducted flight drills. “We share the values of 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, it’s important to them, it’s important to us,” said Capt. Timothy Waits, commanding officer.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/6/30/landing-craft-vessel-sinks-off-romblon-sibuyan-islands-all-crew-safe-2141">Landing craft vessel sinks between Romblon and Sibuyan Islands; all crew safe</a></div>The US has been deploying several major naval units in the western Pacific, where China recently flexed its military power with a dual aircraft carrier deployment — a move seen by observers as challenging America&#x27;s naval dominance.“There are other ships that are working with us, that are coming in as well,” Waits told reporters.USS George Washington quietly departed its homeport, Yokosuka Naval Base, last month and embarked on its first patrol since returning to Japan last year, coinciding with increased Chinese naval activity in the Pacific region.Asked if the deployment is in response to China’s moves, Waits noted that the carrier’s sail is part of a routine patrol to demonstrate commitment to regional stability.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/world/2024/5/16/us-navy-flagship-carrier-uss-ronald-reagan-leaves-its-japan-home-port-after-nearly-9-years-647">US Navy flagship carrier USS Ronald Reagan leaves its Japan home port after nearly 9 years</a></div>“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 United States’ first president, the USS George Washington is the US Navy 7th Fleet’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier.It is one of the most powerful warships in the world, with capabilities that support a wide range of military and humanitarian missions.It was last deployed in the Philippines in 2013 to support search and rescue operations and disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).At 1,092 feet long — longer than the Metrobank Center, the tallest building in the Philippines — USS George Washington’s capabilities include high speed, long-range operations, and the ability to deploy and support a wide array of advanced aircraft. It remains to be seen whether the US will be able to maintain its presence in the western Pacific while simultaneously conducting missions in the Middle East, where the Israel-Iran conflict has raised tensions.

The United States Navy’s Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) has been deployed in Philippine waters, underscoring the deepening defense cooperation between Manila and Washington amid continued tensions in the South China Sea region.

The United States Navy’s Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) has been deployed in Philippine waters, underscoring the deepening defense cooperation between Manila and Washington amid continued tensions in the South China Sea region.

US flexes naval power in West PH Sea with USS George Washington patrol

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US flexes naval power in West PH Sea with USS George Washington patrol

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 02, 2025 08:34 PM PHT

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USS George Washington

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West Philippine Sea

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