NORFOLK, Va. — The USS George Washington will be departing Hampton Roads on Thursday morning.
According to Navy officials, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier will be departing Naval Station Norfolk with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10. The aircraft carrier will not return to Naval Station Norfolk. Navy officials said it will transit South America and then head to Yokosuka, Japan.
That's where the George Washington will relieve USS Ronald Reagan as the forward-deployed naval forces aircraft carrier during a "historic carrier swap at Naval Air Station North Island this summer."
Navy officials say the George Washington has undergone pre-deployment certification and inspections including flight deck certification and the Board of Inspection and Survey, among others.
“Team Warfighter is ready to go,” said Capt. Tim Waits, commanding officer of George Washington. “Not only for the adventure that awaits in South America but ready to serve as the nation’s forward-deployed naval forces carrier in Yokosuka.”