As a demonstration of military support from the United States to Guyana amid tension with Venezuela over the territorial dispute of the Esequibo, two F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter-bombers belonging to the nuclear aircraft carrier USS George Washington of the U.S. Navy flew over Georgetown with the approval of the Guyanese government.
According to reports from the U.S. Embassy in Guyana, the two aircraft made their passage at 2:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, May 9th. It is worth noting that both aircraft were catapulted from the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier navigating the waters of the Atlantic Ocean as part of the International Southern Seas Exercise.
At the time of the deployment of the two F/A-18Fs, the U.S. Naval Institute reported that the aircraft carrier was east of Puerto Rico on May 6th, about 780 miles (1,440 km) from Georgetown, on the east coast of South America. This aerial deployment gains relevance in light of the sovereignty claim made by the Government of Venezuela over the Esequibo region, which comprises approximately two-thirds of Guyana’s territory.
Continuing its journey, the Nimitz-class ship is scheduled to participate in exercises and combined activities with military and naval forces from South America, including the navies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay, as well as visits to ports in Brazil, Chile, and Peru.
The USS George Washington, which set sail on April 25th from Naval Base Norfolk, in addition to its air group, will be escorted by the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) and a Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler. Specifically, the USNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189).
*Cover image used for illustrative purposes only.
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