George Washington Carrier Strike Group Arrives in the Philippines

PHILIPPINE SEA (NNS) -- George Washington Strike Group (GWSG) arrived in the vicinity of the Leyte Gulf today to support the Third Marine Expeditionary Brigade in assisting the Philippine government in 'Operation Damayan' in response to the aftermath of the Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in the Republic of the Philippines.

"We've completed our high-speed transit and linked up with our U.S. Navy logistical assets from Commander, Task Force 73, which brings 7th Fleet naval forces to participate in 'Operation Damayan' in the Republic of the Philippines," said Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, commander, GWSG. "Specifically, the aircraft carrier, USS George Washington and the cruisers USS Antietam and USS Cowpens will go to a position just off the eastern coast of Samar island in order to begin to assess the damage and provide logistical and emergency support to include medical and water supplies."

In preparation to provide relief support, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 flew a number of fixed winged aircraft to Naval Air Facility Atsugi this morning creating more room on the carrier's flight deck for helicopter operations.

"One of the best capabilities the Strike Group brings is our 21 helicopters. These helicopters represent a good deal of lift to move emergency supplies around."

Also, today the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10) transported 11 pallets ashore - 8 pallets containing 1920 gallons of water and 3 pallets of food stores to Tacloban airfield. The Charles Drew is also moving several pallets of water to Guiuan airfield today.

"We have ships conducting a variety of missions. The USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62) is surveying water conditions in the Leyte Gulf. USNS Charles Drew and USS Lassen have helicopters and supplies that are bringing emergency supplies into Tacloban, one of the hard hit areas. Emory S. Land also provides a good ship-to-shore hotel services to Tacloban. The George Washington, Cowpens and Antietam are off the east coast of Samar. A third area of focus is Ormoc, where we're sending USS Mustin right now," said Montgomery.

Currently, the George Washington Strike Group consists of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Cowpens (CG 63) and USS Antietam (CG 54), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Lassen (DDG 82) and USS Mustin (DDG 89), and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10), Pathfinder class oceanographic survey ship USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62), and submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS-39).

This Week in Naval History

This Week in Naval History


25 Apr 1957: US Navy supported Jordan during failed coup

On 25 April 1957, when King Hussein of Jordan reported a conspiracy to overthrow his government, USS Forrestal (CVA 59) and USS Lake Champlain (CVS 39), with accompanying destroyers, entered the Eastern Mediterranean to support his government. The planned coup failed.

26 Apr 1960: US Navy & USSR action off Long Island Sound

On 26 April 1960, USS George Washington (SSN 598 ) conducted a Polaris missile test firing in Long Island Sound. The Soviet trawler Vega attempted to retrieve the missile but was prevented from doing so by USS Nipmuc (ATF 157), which maneuvered constantly between the Russian and the missile until recovery was made.

27 April 1805 – “To the Shores of Tripoli”

On 27 April 1805, with Naval bombardment from USS Nautilus, USS Hornet, and USS Argus, Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon led his Marines to attack Derne, Tripoli, and raised the first U.S. Flag over foreign soil. The Battle of Derna was the Marines' first battle on foreign soil, and is notably recalled in the first verse of the Marines’ Hymn: "From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, we fight our country’s battles in the air, on land and sea."

28 Apr 1944: Operation Tiger

On 28 April 1944, while an LST convoy trained in Lyme Bay (a part of the English Channel south west of England) for the Normandy Invasion, German motor torpedo boats out of Cherbourg, which had evaded Allied patrols, attacked the convoy. USS LST 507 and USS LST 531 were sunk of Portland Bill, England, and USS LST 289 was damaged.
Note, this brief action resulted in 198 Navy sailors dead or missing and 551 Army dead or missing, from later reports.

29 Apr 1945: USS Bream sank German minesweeper depot ship Quito

On 29 April 1945, USS Bream (SS 243) sank the German minesweeper depot ship Quito off Tanjong Putting, Borneo, N.E.I.
30 Apr 1798: Congress est. DON as a separate cabinet department
On 30 April 1798, Congress established the Department of the Navy as a separate cabinet department. Previously, naval matters were under the cognizance of the War Department. Note, the first Secretary of the
Navy was Benjamin Stoddert, 1 May 1798-31 March 1801.

1 May 1898: Battle of Manila Bay

On 1 May 1898, at the Battle of Manila Bay, the American squadron, commanded by Commodore George Dewey defeated the Spanish squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Montojo at Manila Bay, Philippines. During the battle, the Spaniards opened fire at long range but Dewey held fire until his squadron was in position, then said to his flagship captain, “You may fire when ready, Gridley.” The victory gave Dewey control of the bay and access to the city of Manila.