On Tuesday, Darrell, Megan, and Anna had the rare opportunity to tour the USS George Washington aircraft carrier while it was docked in Singapore. (Unfortunately, the tour was limited to 2 or 3 persons per family, so I didn't make the cut.)The GW is the navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier. The ship is currently deployed in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. Here is the navy's official statement regarding it's duties in this part of the world:
"The security environment in the Western Pacific region requires the United States to station the most capable ships forward for deterrence and the best possible response times for maritime and joint force operations. The forward deployment of GW ensures the ability of Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, to fulfill the U.S. Government's commitment to the defense of Japan, and the maintenance of international peace and security in the Far East in support of mutual cooperation and security. This posture also brings our most capable ships with the greatest amount of striking power and operational capability in the timeliest manner."
Here are some amazing facts about the ship:
Commissioned: July 4, 1992
Propulsion: Two nuclear reactors that permit the ship to steam for almost 18 years before refueling.
Speed: More than 30 knots
Length of Flight Deck: 1,092 feet
Width of Flight Deck: 275 feet
Height (keel to mast): 244 feet
Flight Deck Area: 4.5 acres
Combat Load Displacement: 97,000 tons
Number of aircraft with embarked Airwing: About 75
Aircraft Elevators: Four, each 3,880 square feet
Number of Catapults: Four
Number of Propellers: Four, each 22 ft. in diameter, brass, five-bladed and weighing 66,200 pounds each.
Number of Anchors: Two, each weighing about 30 tons
Crew accommodations: 6,250
Length of Flight Deck: 1,092 feet
Meals served daily: 18,000
Number of Compartments and Spaces: 3,360
Daily capacity of Fresh Water Distilling Plants: 400,000 gal., enough to supply 2,000 homes
Length of Wiring and Cable: More than 1,400 miles
Tons of Structural Steel: 60,000
On the flight deck.
Standing next to one of the 30 ton anchors.
2 comments:
What a cool experience!!
Hey Spitzers! This is Berkley Coon. What a cool ship. Funny, Beckett, Paxton, mommy, daddy and I just went on the USS North Carolina ship and had lots of fun too. I was just talking to my mom about the lizard and ball you gave us. And, as I was putting my states puzzle together I asked where you lived. When my dad said, "Signapore," I said, "wow, that sounds far away, that would be a loooonnnnggg drive." Happy New Year.
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