After completing the final preparations and personnel mobilization, the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) of the United States Navy sailed from Naval Station Norfolk on April 25th to be deployed in the operational area of the Southern Command. Over the next few weeks, as part of the U.S. Fourth Fleet’s Southern Seas 2024, the Nimitz-class vessel is expected to participate in exercises and joint activities with military and naval forces from South America, including the navies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay, as well as visiting ports in Brazil, Chile, and Peru.
According to the official release by the United States Navy, the aircraft carrier departed from Naval Station Norfolk on April 25th after completing various scheduled readiness and maintenance processes. These included a scheduled upgrade program conducted at Newport News Shipbuilding facilities in May 2023, along with the refueling of its nuclear reactors. Since then, the ship’s crew has been preparing for what will be a long deployment with the final destination being the Asia-Pacific region.
In response to the latter, it is confirmed that the USS George Washington (CVN 73) will relieve the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as one of the primary forward-deployed forces in Japan for the United States Navy, with Naval Base Yokosuka as its homeport for the duration of its presence in the region.
During its journey to the Far East, the USS George Washington will navigate the waters of the South Atlantic, where it will conduct a series of port visits on the continent, as well as participate in combined activities and exercises with the navies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay, as part of the Southern Seas 2024 deployment.
During its voyage, the aircraft carrier will be escorted and supported by other vessels. Specifically, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) and a Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler will accompany it. Specifically, the USNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189).
As for Argentina, the official schedule of activities is yet to be officially disclosed, while the Navy is preparing its main assets to participate in the activities alongside the aircraft carrier and its escort group when they sail in the South Atlantic waters.
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