![]() Lisa Franchetti, commander, Carrier Strike Group NINE. force to participate in UNITAS in the more than 50-year history of the exercise," said Rear Adm. "This was the largest and most capable U.S. Washington departed the Southern California operating area after conducting underway training and deployed in 4th Fleet as part of Southern Seas 2015 which enhanced interoperability, increased regional stability and built and maintained relationships with countries throughout the region through joint, multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation with 15 partner nations. ![]() ![]() The crew of George Washington will now focus attention on local operations in 2016 as the ship will serve as the training platform for the qualification of student naval aviators heading to fleet squadrons." "It was well planned by the staff of Commander, Naval Air Forces and well executed by the deckplate leaders of the three ships. "A three-carrier crew swap is certainly a complex evolution," said Kuehhas. Following Washington's arrival in Norfolk, nearly two-thirds of the crew will return to San Diego and embark USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Key personnel, including the commanding officer, executive officer, and those related to unique systems, remained with their ships. This crew swap with Reagan was the first part of an unprecedented three-carrier crew swap intended to keep the majority of the carrier and strike group personnel in the same geographic areas to support geographic stability and reduce permanent change of station (PCS) costs. Washington then proceeded to San Diego for a 10-day crew swap turnover with USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in August 2015. In May 2015, Washington departed Japan to participate in Talisman Sabre 2015 with Australia and New Zealand. "Our homecoming is significant for both our crew members who have been on deployment for many months, and for our ship which is returning home after being forward deployed to Japan since 2008." Kuehhas, Washington's commanding officer. "Our crew is excited to return home to their families," said Capt.
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