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US carrier George Washington in Manila for 1st port visit

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.

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751523954938US.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="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"/>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 United States Navy’s USS George Washington, one of the world’s most powerful aircraft carriers, arrived in Manila Bay on Thursday for its first port visit since quietly departing Tokyo last month and embarking on its patrol mission.The ABS-CBN News team was among a select group of Philippine media invited aboard the nuclear-powered supercarrier as it sailed through the West Philippine Sea and conducted flight operations.“We&#x27;re always willing and look forward to meeting with allies and partners and engaging in good conversation, making friends, and building relationships,” Capt. Timothy Waits, commanding officer of the USS George Washington, told reporters.As part of the port call, the crew is also scheduled to take part in tours and recreational activities in the Philippines.&quot;The crew&#x27;s been working hard. We went through many certifications and qualifications, and a lot of hard training, and a lot of logistics exercises,&quot; Waits added.&quot;So, it&#x27;s good to be able to pull in here and afford the crew some time for some rest and relaxation, a little bit of liberty, recharge your batteries.&quot;Named after the first U.S. president, the USS George Washington is the U.S. Navy 7th Fleet’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier. It last visited the Philippines in 2013 when it supported search and rescue operations and humanitarian assistance following the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).At 1,092 feet long — longer than the Metrobank Center, the tallest building in the Philippines — the George Washington boasts high-speed, long-range operational capabilities and can deploy and support a wide range of advanced aircraft.Roughly five to six percent of its crew are of Filipino descent.“Most importantly, for some, it is coming home to see friends and family as some of our best and brightest in the US Navy come from the Philippines,” said Rear Admiral Eric Anduze, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5/Task Force 70.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/2/us-flexes-naval-power-in-west-ph-sea-with-george-washington-patrol-2034"> READ: US flexes naval power in West PH Sea with USS George Washington patrol</a></div>

The United States Navy’s USS George Washington, one of the world’s most powerful aircraft carriers, arrived in Manila Bay on Thursday for its first port visit since quietly departing Tokyo last month and embarked on its patrol mission.

The United States Navy’s USS George Washington, one of the world’s most powerful aircraft carriers, arrived in Manila Bay on Thursday for its first port visit since quietly departing Tokyo last month and embarked on its patrol mission.