11/29/2013:A key element of the flexibility of the large deck carrier is ability to work through the spectrum of operations.
This has been demonstrated recently in Pacific operations.
The ship came to work in support of the Philippines as a seabase featuring its helo and Osprey support capabilities.
And then transitioned seamlessly to working with the Japanese in a military exercise.
With the backdrop of the PRC declaring an expanded air defense zone, one does not when an exercise becomes something else.
[slidepress gallery=’the-george-washington-moving-from-disaster-relief-to-preparing-for-combat-operations’]
http://www.sldforum.com/2013/11/china-expands-air-defense-zone-disputed-islands-area/
In the first photo, a helicopter with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force lifts off from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during Annual Exercise (AE) 13.
AE13 is designed to increase the defensive readiness and interoperability of Japanese and U.S. naval forces through training in air and sea operations.
In the second photo, Aviation Machinist Mate Airman Iwalani Yamaguchi, from Kaneohe, Hawaii, cleans the canopy of an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Diamondbacks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 during pre-flight maintenance aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during Annual Exercise (AE) 13.
In the third photo, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Tyler Stives, from Spring, Texas, inspects a catapult after an aircraft launch aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during Annual Exercise (AE) 13.
In the final photo, Lt. Cmdr. Ronald Drake gives the signal to launch an E/A-18G Growler from the Shadowhawks of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during Annual Exercise (AE) 13.