Nuclear carrier GW on voyage of diplomacy to Japan

The Virginian-Pilot ^ | 4 Apr 08 | Matthew Jones

[GATOR NAVY]

NORFOLK

When the George Washington ties up in Yokosuka, Japan, in August, it will become the first nuclear-powered carrier based in the only nation ever to be attacked by nuclear weapons.

While its departure Monday from the East Coast brings both a sentimental and financial loss, its relocation to the Far East means the ship’s crew must bring along as much diplomacy as weaponry.

“What people don’t understand they sometimes fear,” said Rear Adm. Philip Cullom, commander of the George Washington Strike Group. “Sometimes it’s a matter of articulating the story so that people understand it.”

The carrier’s arrival in Japan comes as the Navy looks to improve its reach in the western Pacific and “brings a considerable increase in capability,” said Capt. Dave Dykhoff, the ship’s commanding officer. It will replace the Kitty Hawk, the Navy’s last conventionally powered carrier, which is due to be decommissioned.

[GATOR NAVY]

First nuclear-powered ship to be homeported in Japan. Should be interesting to see the Japanese response (besides the small vocal minority who still protest at nuclear-powered ship visits). I hope the George Washington crew can conduct themselves better than the crews of Independence and Kitty Hawk did when they first arrived in Japan.

[samadams2000]

God Bless Carriers. God Bless the George Washington and her crew. Build 10 more.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

I would imagine that 127.4 million Japanese are doing a mud check about now.

[magslinger]

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[A.A. Cunningham]

When they finish protesting the arrival of the George Washington they can make the rounds protesting the 53 nuclear power plants in Japan.

[Non-Sequitur]

Build 10 more.

Why not 100?

[reg45]

Why not 100?

Where would we find enough crew? That would increase the size of the navy by 500,000 sailors.

[NCC-1701]

Imagine what this guy could do to all those nuke plants.

[Bean Counter]

GW Plankowner *ping*...

[richardtavor]

It is kind of interesting—one of the jobs of our carriers is to resist foreign governments beliefs that they can win. Two weeks ago, we positioned 3 carrier groups (probably the GW was one of them), near Taiwan. Taiwan had an election to declare their independence from China (or not.) They chose not by a margin of 38% for independence. In the meantime, China had stored up fuel reserves for a 3 month engagement. According to one Chinese friend (whom I believe is knowledgable) The Chinese were prepared to attack if the Taiwanese voted for independence. Our carriers no doubt, gave them a pause to think...And we sit in our living rooms oblivious to how close we came to another war.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Two weeks ago the GW was in the Atlantic completing carrier quals and TSTA/FEP. The Kitty Hawk and Nimitz were sailing near Taiwan during the election.

080329-N-6106R-179 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 29, 2008) The aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), front, and the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) steam in formation during combined training exercises in the western Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Stephen W. Rowe (Released)

[mad_as_he$$]

The CXN’s will have much smaller crews. More like 3,000 for the crew and the airwing will be smaller also.

[richardtavor]

Thanks, my source did not know which carrier groups were present near Taiwan, but I believe his information was correct...China was not going to let Taiwan declare independence..

[grey_whiskers]

Oh, George Washington...

I was going to say, Grey_Whiskers is doing fine staying right here!

Cheers!

[Tainan]

"Taiwan had an election to declare their independence from China (or not.) They chose not by a margin of 38% for independence."

Beg pardon but this is a rather simplistic and 'single issue focused' statement. The Taiwanese election was not agenda driven by 'independence' of the island from mainland China. It already is a separate and independent country. The KMT{Kuomintang) vs DPP{Mingintang) election was a signal by the island populace that they were finally tired of the lies, cronyism, corruption and failed world diplomacy of CSB - Chen Shui Bian. The election of Ma and the current KMT party is a hope for a return to actual professional people who can restore the island's infra-structure as well as gain/regain the islands presence on the world diplomatic stage.
Taiwan has seen its economy undermined by out-sourcing to the mainland of extensive amounts of manufacturing and technology under the DPP/CSB regime. It has seen competent experienced diplomatic professionals replaced by DPP cronies who could barely read & write but were skilled in vote buying and construction contract selling...to the highest bidder where they happened to get a 'hong bao'(red envelope - kickback) amounting to millions of dollars US).
Now I'm not saying that things are suddenly going to become a land of legality and courteous behavior, this is Taiwan; but the people sent a clear message that they wanted a better gov't representing their interests.
Will Ma Ying Jou and his crew do this? We'll see. But they are clearly a better group than what they replaced.
Like I said, the "Independence from the mainland" issue was not the big dog in the election. But it certainly has been given heavy lip-service by those who want it to look that way.

Oh, and the US Fleet hardly raised a ripple of attention in the local press while they were off shore. And those who did know about it were glad to know the Fleet was there.
And the 'Chinese attack rumor' is floated with regularity. Look at things with common sense - If the PRC wanted to take - over Taiwan, they would want the technological and logistical assets in place. Why blow all of them up?

[richardtavor]

My Tawainese friend told me that the general population was not ready to go to war with China, at this time...that is a fact. You may conclude that that is it simplistic, but that is the fact on the ground as my friend reports. According to my friend, there was a lot more going on than what was reported—but you sound like that you know better. You stated that this is a rather simplistic and sing issue focused statement, but I merely report what a national has told me. By the way, if war breaks out, take cover - I am not sure what the Chinese have.

[Tainan]

Re: Taiwan and war - that is correct. Taiwan is certainly in no position to fight much of a war. Current estimates are that roughly 25% of the military would be available after 3 hours. Desertions topping the list of reasons. Sad to say...but those willing to fight for the island in a military manner are in the definite minority. There are some highly motivated and trained groups, ones who have access to the 'high-speed, low drag' equipment needed for such activities - but they are small in number and kept very separate.
My 'simplistic' remark was in the weight given to the "Independence' interpretation of the Taiwan presidential elections. The majority were voting for and with their pocketbooks. They want economic stability and progress. THEY WANT TO MAKE MONEY.
Yes, there most certainly was a lot more going on. There always is here.
Yes, I have gicen much thought to what action to follow if the balloon goes up. After making sure my wife & boy are safe, I plan to unfurl a large USA flag and watch the scene while having a beer. Maybe set up a bar-b-que. I don't expect it to last all that long.

[Non-Sequitur]

Where would we find enough crew? That would increase the size of the navy by 500,000 sailors.

I forgot the sarcasm tag. But calling for 10 carriers or 100 is ridiculous when you don't first consider operational needs and budgetary restrictions. Ten carriers would take about 40 years to build, cost well over $200 billion for the ships alone, a similar amount for 10 new airwings (never mind the additional escorts), and would add tens of billions more to the annual budget.

[thewitz2]

Let’s hope so... I’m Stationed at NCTS-FE and my wife is a CTF-70 Sailor, we are currently under a lot of pressure from the Japanese left to maintain our bearings. However, it seems as though the Hawk’s problems have cooled down (thankfully) for the moment. Most of the recent liberty incedents have been commited by sailors of the support ships. As a Seabee, I only hear rumors of the nonsense that happens in the general fleet from my wife. The GW has a good rep as being a terrific ship, but the crew is generally regarded as having more than their fair share of troubles. Luckly for us, a large portion of the crews are “cross-decking”, my wife included.

[Octar]

Thank you for the illumination and the facts you provide. Most of us hear only the surface ripples, which tell us nothing.