During the maiden deployment USS George Washington proudly served as the backdrop for the 50th anniversary of D-Day. In 1996, during its second underway period, the GW was host to a historic meeting of the Joint Military Commission comprised of the military leaders of the Former Warring Factions in Bosnia/Herzegovina. The ship also played a vital peacekeeping role in Operation Decisive Endeavor in and enforced the "NoFly" zone over southern Iraq in Operation Southern Watch.

On its third deployment from October 97 - April 98, the aircraft carrier spent most of its six-month deployment in the Arabian Gulf as the cornerstone of the U.S. military force, which compelled Iraq to allow United Nations weapons inspectors in their country.

February 7, 1998 Two F/A-18's from VMFA-251, collided in the Persian Gulf while returning to the ship after a routine patrol over the no-fly zone. Both aviators were recovered by SAR and flown back to the George Washington. Lt. Col. Henry G. VanWinkle was killed.

The George Washington CVBG departed June 21, 2000. Their deployment included operations in the Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf. While in the Gulf, the battle group supported Operation Southern Watch by flying more than 800 sorties over Iraq. Surface forces supported UN sanctions against Iraq by conducting Maritime Interception Operations and diverting more than 20,000 metric tons of oil smuggled out of Iraq in violation of UN sanctions. In the Adriatic, the battle group was a stabilizing presence when tensions rose in the region after presidential elections in Yugoslavia. Throughout the underway period, battle group units participated in numerous international exercises, including Exercise Destined Glory, the largest NATO exercise of the year. Battle group units worked with military forces from Oman in the Arabian Gulf, and from Hungary, Croatia, Turkey, Greece, Spain, France and the UK in the Mediterranean region, improving interoperability and strengthening relationships with those countries.

During the deployment, BG ships steamed more than 400,000 miles and spent a combined 1800 days underway. The aircraft of CVW 17 flew more than 9,000 sorties and made 9,000 arrested landings aboard USS George Washington.

December 19, USS George Washington returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a six-month underway period.

On April 1, 2002, ships and aircraft of the CVN 73 Carrier Battle Group commenced use of the Vieques Island inner range in conjunction with their Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX). The exercise also utilized the northern and southern Puerto Rican Operating Areas and will involve complex battle group training events, naval surface fire support training and air-to-ground bombing.

February 6, At North Carolina coast, a two-day search for a missing crewmember was called-off. The missing sailor, Seaman Apprentice David Wilse Parkhurst, 19, of Rogersville, Mo., was reported missing late Feb. 4, and an extensive search involving George Washington's H-60 helicopters and units from the Coast Guard in Elizabeth City, N.C., began but failed to turn up anything.

Ships and squadrons of the USS George Washington Battle Group successfully completed JTFEX 02-2 on May 5, paving the way for its certification to deploy. The exercise took place in the waters off the U.S. East Coast, as well as on training ranges in North Carolina and Florida.

Following a stand down period, the GW Battle Group deployed on June 20, and headed for the North Arabian Sea where it relieved the John F. Kennedy Battle Group on July 19.

On September 11, USS George Washington was relieved by the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group in the Perisan Gulf, where the GW had been supporting Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom. Following September 11, the battle group transited to the North Arabian Sea and headed west and then north, transiting the Suez by mid-September. On Sept. 23 the Washington had arrived in the eastern Atlantic, and participated in Mediterranean Shark '02, a bilateral exercise with Morocco.

November 3, Lt. Cmdr. Robert Clukey III, from VFA-134 "Blue Blasterts", was lost during a training mision after his aircraft crashed into the Aegean Sea near Bari, Italy.

USS George Washington Battle Group returned to Norfolk on December 20, completing a six-month combat deployment in the Arabian Gulf, in addition to operations in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. During their six-month underway period, the aircraft carrier launched approximately 10,000 sorties. These sorties included offensive strike missions, designed to dislodge both Taliban and Al-Qaida operatives. In August, GW and USS Normandy, steamed into the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, enforcing the southern no-fly zone over Iraq. CVW 17 sorties marked the first time in a year that aircraft launched from a U.S. carrier would patrol the skies over Iraq in conjunction with other coalition aircraft. While deployed overseas, Battle Group ships visited 16 different countries, including Scotland, England, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Malta, Greece, Slovenia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

In January 2003 USS George Washington conducted a carrier qualifications off the East Coast.

February 25, CVN 73 pulled to NNS in Portsmouth, Virginia, for a six-month PIA period.

August 13, The GW headed out of Norfolk Naval Shipyard for sea trials in preparation for the upcoming deployment.

October 2003, The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is currently conducting TSTA in the Atlantic Ocean.

November 21, Airman David M. Wilson is killed in an accident aboard the George Washington, at approximately 4 a.m. EST, when the aircraft tow tractor he was operating was involved in an accident in the ship's hangar bay, during which he sustained severe head injuries.

December 19, USS George Washington returned to Norfolk after a 40 days at sea, completing the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

The Navy announced on January 13, that the GW Carrier Strike Group would depart for a routine deployment January 20 in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

USS George Washington made a port visit at Souda Bay, Crete, February 6-10. By February 12, the aircraft carrier was at sea and transited the Suez Canal on or about February 16. She was operating in the Red Sea on February 17.

On February 20 CVN 73 entered the Gulf of Aden and on 23rd it was operating in North Arabian Sea. On 27th the carrier was passing through the Gulf of Oman, and by early March she and other elements of the Carrier Strike Group were conducting operations in the Persian Gulf.

On April 8, F/A-18 Hornets from Carrier Air Wing Seven participated in Operation Vigilant Resolve. One of the Naval Air Station Oceana-based "Wildcats" from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131 conducted a 20-mm strafing run against an enemy position. Another VFA-131 Hornet dropped two 500-pound GBU-12 laser-guided bombs on another enemy position in Fallujah, Iraq, on April 9. This was the first live ordnance dropped by CVW 7 aircraft since USS George Washington deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom on January 20.

July 26, 2004 USS George Washington returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a six-month deployment in Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf.

September 30, Capt. Gary R. White relieved Capt. Martin J. Erdossy as commanding officer of the GW. The aircraft carrier is currently off the East Coast conducting trainings and CQ.

November 2, CVN 73 began a third underway period for the surge carrier since returning from deployment in July. With one underway remaining this year, the objectives will be obtaining carrier qualifications (CQs) and training carrier qualifications (TCQs), a substantial ammunition offload and an annual reactor inspection, all of which will help this underway signify the closing of GW’s surge status. On 3rd the ship welcomed Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122 "Flying Eagles", the Fleet Replacement Squadron for the Navy’s newest fighter, the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet. It was the first time the Super Hornets had been launched and recovered on the GW. CVN 73 will remain the Navy’s surge carrier until some time in December.

July 25, 2005 USS George Washington reached a major milestone during its Docked Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) as Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard workers reinstalled the last of the ship's four propellers. This event marked the last significant work to be completed before flooding the dry dock and floating GW once again. The aircraft carrier entered the shipyard Jan. 28 and plans to remain in Newport News through the end of the year. It is scheduled to come out of dry dock in September and move to another pier on NNGN to complete other scheduled maintenance.

September 1, USS George Washington completed an undocking and berthing shift at the NGNN shipyard August 30. The move was four days earlier than originally scheduled and was executed almost seven months after the ship arrived in the dry dock. The carrier moved out of the dry dock early in the morning and relocated to Pier 2. Scheduled maintenance, outfitting and testing will continue as part of the planned incremental availability.

November 19, USS George Washington achieved another shipyard availability milestone Nov. 15, meeting the Topside Production Completion Date (TPCD), which was originally scheduled for Nov. 22. The GW replaced one Close In Weapons System and one Sea Sparrow missile launcher with new Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launchers. In addition to upgrades to Washington's weapons systems, improvements were made to the ship's communications, radar and computer systems. The aircraft carrier installed 1,000 new computers, 16 new servers and a new operating system on the ship's network.

December 2, The U.S. Navy announced today that the USS George Washington will replace the USS Kitty Hawk as the forward deployed aircraft carrier in the western Pacific and will arrive in Yokosuka, Japan, in 2008. The forward deployment of the CVN 73 will not necessitate a change in the assigned air wing in Japan, nor in the composition of the air wing. Carrier Air Wing Five will remain the forward-deployed air wing. This rotation is part of the Navy’s long-range effort to routinely replace older ships assigned to the Navy’s forward deployed naval forces with newer or more capable platforms.

December 17, USS George Washington returned to Naval Station Norfolk following a scheduled 10-and-a-half month Docked Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) period at Northop Grumman Newport News Shipyard.

January 25, 2006 The George Washington hosted a Family Fair Day in Hanger Bay 2 for Sailors and family members to prepare for its upcoming underway obligations.

February 16, The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier returned to homeport following a two-and-a-half week flight deck certifications and carrier qualifications (CQ) for pilots from the embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing Seventeen and Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106. CVW 17 successfully completed flight deck certification on 3rd, after the ship has not launched or recovered aircraft in more than a year.

March 1, USS George Washington is currently underway conducting carrier qualifications and shipboard training.

March 6, CVN 73 took another step forward in combat readiness as the ship conducted an at-sea ammunition onload in more than a year. Sailors in GW’s weapons and deck departments moved more than 250 pallets from USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) to the flight deck and hangar deck during simultaneous connected replenishment (CONREP) and vertical replenishment (VERTREP), taking a little more than three hours to complete the transfer.

GW lent a helping hand to 45 naval aviation students March 6-10 during the training carrier qualifications (TCQ) process, which would lead them toward their final goal of becoming naval aviators. Joining the GW flight deck are Training Squadron (VT) 7 "Eagles" and the VT-8 "Tigers" from Meridian, Miss., and the VT-21 "Golden Eagles" and VT-22 "Redhawks" from Kingsville, Texas.

March 17, The aircraft carrier returned to Norfolk after successfully completed the first phase of its Tailored Ship's Training Availability. TSTA is a three-part training and testing evolution designed to increase a ship's readiness and effectiveness.

April 4, USS George Washington and embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) departed Naval Station Norfolk as part of U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) "Partnership of the Americas" deployment, for approximately two months.

April 14, CVW 17 completed three days of training and exercises at the Navy's Pinecastle Bombing Range in Florida April 10. The air wing utilized the Pinecastle Range to conduct unit-level training, air wing strikes, and combat search and rescue training. The purpose of the training was to give the air crews an opportunity to practice dropping live ordnance at the range. The Navy has used nearly 6,000 acres of the 382,000-acre forest for target practice for 50 years under a special use permit from the U.S. Forestry Service.

April 14, USS George Washington arrived in St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles, for a four-day port visit.

May 1, Capt. Mike Shoemaker relieved Capt. William Massey as Commander of Carrier Air Wing One Seven during a change-of-command ceremony held aboard the GW.

May 15, The Norfolk-based aircraft carrier arrived in Antigua for a goodwill port visit.

May 24, USS George Washington returned to homeport after a seven-week deployment to the Caribbean in support of Partnership of the Americas. Throughout the deployment, the ship hosted dignitaries, military leaders and media representatives from various countries in the region including Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, and Antigua. It also conducted operations and exercises with foreign navies in the region. The biggest of these, CARTAGENEX, was a bilateral exercise with the Colombian navy and air force.

July 16, CVN 73 is currently conducting carrier qualifications off the coast of Virginia. The George Washington returned to Naval Station Norfolk on 24th.

August 14, USS George Washington departed Norfolk to conduct training and offload all remaining ammunition during the ship's last scheduled underway period before heading to Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a Docked Planned Incremental Availability. GW’s remaining ordnance will be offloaded via helicopter during a vertical replenishment.

September 1, CVN 73 returned to homeport following a two-and-a-half week underway period in preparation of the upcoming DPIA.

September 14, USS George Washington pulled to Norfolk Naval Shipyard after recently completed deperming, a process in which the ship is demagnetized. The aircraft carrier will spend the next year in the yards being refitted and upgraded during a scheduled yard period. The ship was placed into drydock on Sept. 28.

November 16, USS George Washington successfully marked its first milestone of the, $300 million worth, PIA Nov. 10 as the ship's main mast was removed nearly three weeks ahead of schedule for the installation of the new capstone suite. In addition to replacing the main mast, the ship's radar and weapons systems will be replaced or upgraded. One of the upgrades in progress includes upgrading the close-in weapons system (CIWS) mounts to Block 1 Bravo. Additionally, the MK 23 Target Acquisition System (TAS), the fire control radar for the NATO Sea Sparrow missile system, will be seeing its own upgrade as the SPQ 9 replaces it.

December 14, Capt. David C. Dykhoff relieved Rear. Adm. Garry R. White, as commanding officer of USS George Washington during a change-of-command ceremony held in Norfolk.

January 13, 2007 CVN 73 moved one step closer to the completion of the installation of the main mast. Although normally completed in three separate lifts, the GW completed it in just one, a move which put the progress of the availability work ahead of schedule.

April 25, The George Washington successfully completed its move from the dry dock at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) to a pierside berth, one week earlier than previously scheduled.

August 27, USS George Washington departed NNSY for sea trials. The ship returned to Norfolk Naval Station Aug. 31.

September 19, The aircraft carrier is currently conducting CQ and flight deck certification in preparation for a homeport change to Yokosuka, Japan.

November 2, CVN 73 conducted training squadron carrier qualifications from Oct. 22 through Nov. 1.

February 12, 2008 USS George Washington completed several live-fire exercises Feb. 7-9, in preparation of its scheduled transition to replace USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier. GW is currently conducting carrier qualifications and flight deck certification off the East Coast.

March 14, The George Washington returned to homeport after completing Tailored Ships Training Availability and Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP) in the Atlantic Ocean. During the several weeks of training and evaluation, the GW CSG also participated in Canada's Task Group Exercise 02-08 (TGEX 02-08) with four Canadian ships and a submarine.

April 7, USS George Washington departed Norfolk Naval Station to the U.S. Southern Command to participate in Partnership of the Americas 2008. After approximately two months, the carrier will continue the transit to its new homeport of Yokosuka, Japan.

April 21, CVN 73 arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for a four-day port visit and to participate in UNITAS 49-08, an annual operation which began April 22 designed to enhance cooperation, understanding and interoperability between the U.S. Navy and partner navies in Central and South America. Brazil is the host nation for this year's exercise.

May 10, After trainings with Brazil and Argentine navy, the Washington Strike Group transited the Strait of Magellan to participate in bilateral task group exercises with Chilean air and surface units.

May 14, USS George Washington anchored off the coast of Valparaiso, Chile, for a four-day port call.

May 22, At approximately 7:50 a.m. local time a fire was detected in the vicinity of the aft air conditioning and refrigeration space and auxiliary boiler room aboard the GW. The fire spread to several spaces via a cableway and caused extreme heat in some of the ship spaces, but it was contained and extinguished by the crew without any serious injuries to personnel. It took several hours to completely contain and extinguish the fire.

May 27, CVN 73 pulled to Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego for repairs. The GW is en route to Hawaii for a turnover with the Kitty Hawk.

June 10, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet announced June 9 the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) will replace USS George Washington in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008 Exercise scheduled to take place in the Hawaiian operating area from June 29 through July 31. The timeline for repairs to the GW has not yet been determined.

June 19, The turnover ceremony originally planned for early June in Pearl Harbor will now take place in San Diego in August as a result of the fire that occurred aboard the Washington.

July 30, As directed by Adm. Robert F. Willard, Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific, Vice Adm. Thomas J. Kilcline, Jr., relieved of command CO Capt. David C. Dykhoff and XO Capt. David M. Dober after investigators concluded that a $70 million fire that damaged the ship in May probably was triggered by crew members sneaking a smoke. The fire was the worst of 13 reported aboard Navy ships this year. Capt. John R. Haley is new commanding officer of the GW.

September 25, USS George Washington arrived at her new homeport of Yokosuka, Japan, as the United States' only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier. The GW departed San Diego Aug. 21.

October 1, CVN 73 departed Yokosuka to conduct training and to participate in exercises with regional naval partners.

October 10, The George Washington departed Busan, Republic of Korea, after a three-day port visit due to 60th anniversay of the Korean government and its armed forces.

November 4, The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier departed Apra Harbor, Guam, after a four-day port call.

November 17, The GW CSG is currently participating in Annual Exercise 2008 (ANNUALEX 20G), between the U.S. and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

November 21, USS George Washington returned to its forward-deployed base of operations after completing the fall underway period.

April 10, 2009 Capt. David A. Lausman relieved Capt. John R. Haley as CO of the GW, during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

May 6, CVN 73 departed for sea trials and carrier qualifications after completing the Selected Restricted Availability. The aircraft carrier returned to homeport May 15.

May 20, USS George Washington departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a combat operations efficiency (COE) evaluation in the western Pacific.

May 23, Capt. Michael S. White, Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, achieved his 1,000th carrier-arrested landing while flying an F/A-18F Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102.

June 10, USS George Washington departed Yokosuka for its first annual summer deployment.

July 2, The Washington anchored off the coast of Fremantle, Australia, for a five-day port visit. CVN 73 will participate in Talisman Saber 2009, a biennial, combined training activity designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting combined operations.

August 6, The GW departed Changi Naval Base after a four-day port visit, its first ever to Singapore.

August 11, The aircraft carrier pulled to Manila Bay, Republic of the Philippines, for a four-day port call, the first by a U.S. aircraft carrier in more than 13 years.

August 18, USS George Washington CSG recently arrived off the coast of Manado, Indonesia, to participate in the Sail Bunaken 2009 regatta, an international event to share experiences and explore the marine beauty around North Sulawesi.

August 30, CVN 73 Carrier Strike Group began its participation in joint aircraft carrier operations, with USS Nimitz (CVN 68) CSG, in the western Pacific Ocean.

September 3, USS George Washington returned to homeport after a three-month underway period.

September 5, The GW departed Yokosuka for a Friends and Family Day Cruise.

October 6, The George Washington departed home after a one-month maintenance and repair period for its second annual fall deployment in support of maritime security and to participate in ANNUALEX 2009 exercise.

October 13, USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group is currently in western Korean waters participating in a joint drill with Korea's Second Fleet. North Korea ratcheted up tensions by test-firing five KN-02 short-range missiles into the East Sea on Monday.

October 29, USS George Washington pulled to Hong Kong for its first port call ever, to this city.

November 12, CVN 73 CSG is currently participating in Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 21G, off the coast of Japan, Nov. 10-17.

November 23, USS George Washington returned to Yokosuka after completing the Fall Patrol.

December 5, More than 27,000 guests toured the GW during the open house event at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka. The aircraft carrier is scheduled to begin a selective restricted availability this winter.

May 11, 2010 USS George Washington departed for sea trials after completing the four-month SRA, performed by the ship's 3,000 Sailors, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard workers, and Japanese shipyard workers from Sumitomo Heavy Industries and the Ship's Repair Facility at FAY.

May 18, CVN 73 departed homeport for carrier qualifications with the CVW-5.

May 29, Rear Adm. Dan Cloyd relieved Rear Adm. Kevin M. Donegan as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70 during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the GW. USS George Washington is currently conducting Combat Operations Efficiency (COE) evaluation in the western Pacific Ocean.

June 14, The GW departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a routine Summer Patrol, just four days after completing the three-week underway period.

June 27, USS George Washington participated in Undersea Warfare Exercise (USWEX) with U.S. and Japanese naval forces in the western Pacific Ocean June 21 to 25.

July 3, The aircraft carrier returned to port to celebrate the 18th anniversary of its commissioning on Independence Day. The GW departed again July 9.

July 21, USS George Washington arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea, for a four-day port visit before taking part in Exercise Invincible Spirit in the East Sea.