CVN-73 is named after George Washington (1732-1799), 1st President of the United States of America (1789-1797).

George Washington is known for his greatness as a general and as the nation's first President. "And it may be truly said, that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great." (Thomas Jefferson about George Washington, 1814.)

Ten American warhips had previously borne the name:

1. A brigantine, named Washington.
2. A row galley , named Washington.
3. A galley in Benedict Arnold's Lake Champlain flotilla, named Washington.
4. A 32-gun frigate named Washington, one of the 13 authorized by the Continental Congress on 13 December 1775, but never completed.
5. The first George Washington was built as a merchant vessel at Providence, R.I., in 1793; purchased by the Congress at Providence 12 October 1798 from John Brown and John Francis for use in the developing undeclared war with France; and converted to a warship under the supervision of Captain Silas Talbot, Captain Patrick Fletcher in command.
6. A 74-gun ship of the line, named Washington.
7. A revenue cutter named Washington, that served with the Army and Navy in 1836–37, during the Second Seminole War.
8. A revenue cutter named Washington, that operated under the aegis of the Navy (1840–52) on surveying and sounding duties, and with Commodore Matthew C. Perry's forces during the Mexican War.
9. A World War I transport, a German passenger liner taken over by the U.S. in 1917, whose civilian name was retained by the Navy.
10. A Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine.

A section of the keel is lowered onto blocks at the Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard during the keel laying of the future nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), Monday, 25 August 1986.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, Local Identifier 330-CFD-DN-SN-87-03119.

A section of the keel is lowered onto blocks at the Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard during the keel laying of the future nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), Monday, 25 August 1986.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, Local Identifier 330-CFD-DN-SN-87-03120.

A section of the keel is lowered onto blocks at the Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard during the keel laying of the future nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), Monday, 25 August 1986.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, Local Identifier 330-CFD-DN-SN-87-03121.

A section of the keel is lowered onto blocks at the Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard during the keel laying of the future nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), Monday, 25 August 1986.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, Local Identifier 330-CFD-DN-SN-87-03122.

A section of the keel is lowered onto blocks at the Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard during the keel laying of the future nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), Monday, 25 August 1986.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, Local Identifier 330-CFD-DN-SN-87-03123.

A section of the keel is lowered onto blocks at the Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard during the keel laying of the future nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), Monday, 25 August 1986.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, Local Identifier 330-CFD-DN-SN-87-03124.

A section of the keel is lowered onto blocks at the Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard during the keel laying of the future nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), Monday, 25 August 1986.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, Local Identifier 330-CFD-DN-SN-87-03125.

George Washington was christened by First Lady Barbara Bush on Saturday, 21 July 1990.

Official US Navy photograph of three Nimitz-class nuclear-powered carriers underway in the VACAPES OPAREA in (20–22) July 1992. Foreground to background: USS George Washington (CVN-73), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69).

CDR C.M. Hunt, Jr., Medical Corps, USN (Ret.), first anesthesiologist assigned to USS George Washington, recalls: "I was on the CVN-73 flight deck during this 'photo op' from one of GW's helicopters. The test & evaluation aircraft used for GW's first-ever, just-completed flight deck certification period had just launched, to return to NAS Patuxent River. Abruptly, the Theodore Roosevelt and the Dwight D. Eisenhower appeared, such was their speed, having raced out from NAVSTA NORF to meet us in the Virginia Capes Operating Area. Don't believe the published speeds for these Nimitz-class vessels; they're understated! The wind strength across the deck was such that I had difficulty in standing, even with a 45-degree lean into the wind! The three 'Presidents' remained in this high-speed formation for almost an hour, before TR & Ike returned to NORF."

Official US Navy photograph of USS George Washington (CVN-73) pulling into Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 2 September 1993.

Photo by PH3(AC) John Sokolowski.

Undated (possibly mid-1990s) picture of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) at anchor, location unknown. Note Liberty boats at her stern and starboard side. Photo Jane's Information Group.

Photo from Twenty-First Century Warships, by Steve Crawford.

USS Santa Barbara (AE-28) underway alongside USS George Washington (CVN-73), circa 20 May–17 November 1994, the carrier's maiden deployment.

Aircraft on deck are, left to right: F/A-18C(N) Hornet, BuNo 164204 (AG404), VFA-131 "Wildcats;" F-14B TARPS Tomcat, BuNo 161599 (AG103), VF-143 "Dogs;" and F/A-18C(N) Hornet, BuNo 164217 (AG302), VFA-136 "Knight Hawks."

Aerial view of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard on the Elizabeth River, 25 March 1995. Ships in the yard, (L to R), the decommissioned submarine tender Orion (AS-18), a destroyer under overhaul, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), decommissioned submarine tender Hunley (AS-31), the stripped-down hull of the decommissioned nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser Virginia (CGN-38) and a medium auxiliary repair dock inside the large graving dock at lower right. Photo by Robert J. Sitar.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 330-CFD-DN-SC-95-01523.

USS George Washington (CVN-73), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, location unknown. Judging from the identifiable aircraft, photos NS0273ao and NS0273aoa were almost certainly taken circa 1996. Photo NS0273aob was possibly taken circa 1996 as well.

NS0273ao: EA-6B Prowlers, Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 140 "Patriots." Left to right, BuNos 163395 (modex AG623), 158039 (AG620), 163522 (AG622).

NS0273aoa: Again, EA-6B Prowlers BuNos 158039 (with its tail specially ornamented) and 163522, and ES-3A Viking from Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 6 "Black Ravens" Det. B, BuNo 159391 (modex AG767) (the latter plane was manufactured as an S-3A and later modified to ES-3A).

NS0273aob: Three F-14B Tomcats from Fighter Squadron (VF) 143 "Pukin' Dogs" parked aft on the flight deck.

With her crew manning the rails, USS George Washington (CVN-73) heads out to sea on January 26, 1996, at the commencement of a scheduled six-month deployment to the Mediterranean. USS George Washington, commanded by CAPT Malcolm P. Branch, would be operating in the Adriatic Sea in support of the NATO peace keeping Operation Joint Endeavor. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Craig McClure (# 960126-N-6442M-002).

Believed to have been taken during the ship's second deployment, January 26-July 23, 1996.

The U.S. Navy's nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the Nimitz-class USS George Washington (CVN-73) (right), as she refuels the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG-55) while transiting the Atlantic Ocean on January 30, 1996. This marked the first time the Stout came alongside an aircraft carrier for underway replenishment.

USS George Washington (CVN-73) refuels the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55), while transiting the Atlantic Ocean during Operation Joint Endeavor, 30 January 1996. U.S. Navy photo by: PH1 Chris Vickers (DVIC id.: DD-SD-99-03460).

USS George Washington (CVN-73) breaks away from USS America (CV-66) for operations in the Adriatic Sea, following turnover operations in the Mediterranean. George Washington, commanded by US Navy Captain Malcolm P. Branch, assumed duties as part of Battle Force Sixth Fleet, while America prepared her return to her homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, following a highly successful six-month deployment that included operations in the Adriatic in support of NATO peace Operation Joint Endeavor. U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Chris Vickers, 11 February 1996 [960211-N-2381V-004].

A Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler (BuNo 158039, modex AG-620) from the "Patriots" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 140 patrolling the skies over Bosnia and Herzegovina, 21 February 1996. VAQ-140 was part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, embarked aboard USS George Washington (CVN-73). The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was on a scheduled six-month deployment to the Mediterranean, and had been operating in the Adriatic Sea in support of the NATO-led Operation Joint Endeavor.

U.S. Navy photo by LT Craig Wevle, # 960221-N-3907W-001.

USS George Washington (CVN-73), USS America (CV-66) and ammunition ship USS Mount Baker (AE-34) in the Mediterranean Sea, 1996. Official U.S. Navy photo.

A port side view of USS George Washington (CVN-73) as she transits north through the Strait of Messina, 5 March 1996. Commanded by CAPT Malcolm P. Branch, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was on a scheduled six-month Mediterranean deployment which included operations in the Adriatic Sea in support of the NATO-led Operation Decisive Endeavor. USN photo by Photo Mate 2nd Class Jim Vidrine.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 330-CFD-DD-SD-99-06192.

The fleet oiler USS Merrimack (AO-179) (center) provides fuel to guided missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG-56) (left) and aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) (right) during replenishment at sea operations in the Persian Gulf on April 29, 1996. The three U.S. Navy ships were deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jim Vidrine, U.S. Navy (photo # 960429-N-7340V-001).

In the Med, 1996.

USS George Washington (CVN-73) at Corfu, Greece during her 1996 Med Cruise. Official U.S. Navy photo.

F-14B Tomcats assigned to VF-143 "Pukin' Dogs" with USS George Washington (CVN-73) in the background. Med Cruise, 1996. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Underway in the Persian Gulf, 1996.

The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Scranton (SSN-756) surfaces in the North Arabian Sea while the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) cruises in the background on May 9, 1996. The George Washington and her battle group were operating in the Persian Gulf where they conducted air patrols in support of Operation Southern Watch, the U.S. and coalition enforcement of the no-fly-zone over Southern Iraq. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jim Vidrine, U.S. Navy (# 960509-N-7340V-001).

The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) cruises through the eastern Mediterranean, 13 November 1997. George Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) were proceeding to the Persian Gulf to support UN efforts to compel Iraqi compliance with UN resolutions. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Robert Catalano [971113-N-0210C-001].

Crew members walk the 4½-acre (1.82 hectares) flight deck of USS George Washington (CVN-73) watching the view as the ship transits the Suez Canal, 16 November 1997. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, along with USS Normandy (CG-60), USS Annapolis (SSN-760), and USS Seattle (AOE-3) transited the canal enroute to the Persian Gulf in response to rising tensions between the United Nations and Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Third Class Joseph Hendricks (#971116-N-2302H-004).

November 23, 1997 — The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) (left) comes alongside USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in the Arabian Gulf. With both carriers and their embarked air wings in the Gulf, the U.S. had some 100 strike aircraft operating in the region. The George Washington had joined Nimitz in support of Operation Southern Watch, enforcing the UN "No-Fly Zone" over southern Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Robert Catalano. [971123-N-0210C-003].

A Royal Navy Westland Sea King AEW Mk.2A helicopter from No.849 Squadron, FAA, as it prepares to lift from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) on 24 February 1998. The Nimitz-class carrier was deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. US Navy photo taken by PHAN Joseph Strevel, USN. Defense Media Activity photo (# DN-SD-00-03284).

March 12, 1998 — USS George Washington (CVN-73) (foreground) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) steam side-by-side in the Persian Gulf. This was the first deployment for John C. Stennis which relieved George Washington in enforcement of the "No-Fly Zone" under Operation Southern Watch. George Washington then returned to her homeport in Norfolk, Va., after spending six months deployed to the region. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Brian Fleske (# 980312-N-0507F-002).

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Oct. 8, 1999 — USS George Washington (CVN-73) enters Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The aircraft carrier was participating in Broward Navy Days Fleet Week '99. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Brian Fleske (# 991004-N-0507F-005).

The Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 2, 2000 — USS George Washington (CVN-73) tests her countermeasure washdown system during a Chemical, Biological, Radiological (CBR) drill. George Washington was conducting carrier qualifications in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Robert Catalano. [000202-N-0210C-001].

The Atlantic Ocean, Mar. 6, 2000 — The guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60) steams off after refueling from USS George Washington (CVN-73) in the Atlantic Ocean. The Norfolk, Va.-based warships were preparing to conduct a Composite Training Exercise (COMPTUEX). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Third Class (AW) Brian Fleske (# 000306-N-0506F-003).

The Mediterranean Sea, July 12, 2000 — An SH-60 Seahawk helicopter of the "Red Lions" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron One Five (HS-15) flies by USS George Washington (CVN-73). The carrier and her embarked Carrier Air Wing One Seven (CVW-17) were operating in the Mediterranean Sea on a scheduled six-month deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Lisa Marcus (# 000712-N-3962M-003).

An E-2C Hawkeye, from the Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW) 125 "Tiger Tails," launches from the flight deck of USS George Washington (CVN-73), 19 July 2000, during Operation Southern Watch. Photo by PH2 Shane McCoy, USN (# 000719-N-6967M-501).

An SH-60 Seahawk attached to the "Red Lions" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron One Five (HS-15) conducts anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training near USS George Washington (CVN-73) in the Persian Gulf, July 25, 2000 in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Lisa Marcus (# 000725-N-3962M-003).

The Persian Gulf, Aug. 1, 2000 — USS George Washington (CVN-73) is met by a tug as she pulls into Jebel Ali, part of the city of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, for a scheduled port visit. The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates or states. George Washington was operating in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Lisa Marcus (# 000801-N-3962M-001).

An U.S. Navy (USN) F-14D Tomcat assigned to Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) "Jolly Rogers" launches from the flight deck of USS George Washington (CVN-73), while the ship was underway in the Persian Gulf, conducting operations in support of Operation Southern Watch, 3 September 2000. Photo by PH2 Shane McCoy, USN (# 000903-N-6967M-501).

The Persian Gulf, Sep. 24, 2000 — USS George Washington (CVN-73) underway in the Persian Gulf while on a scheduled six-month deployment to the area in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Lisa Marcus (# 000924-N-3962M-001).

The sun rises over the flight deck of USS George Washington (CVN-73) as she begins a northern transit through the Suez Canal, 30 September 2000.

Photo by PH3 Lawrence Braxton, USN. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 30-CFD-DN-SD-03-12008.

An F/A-18 Hornet from the "Blue Blasters" of Strike Fighter Squadron Three Four (VFA-34) launches from the flight deck of USS George Washington (CVN-73) as the flight deck crew works around a second Hornet (from VFA-81 "Sunliners") October 2, 2000. The aircraft carrier was operating in the Mediterranean Sea during a scheduled six-month deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Johnnie Robbins (# 001002-N-5024R-002).

USS George Washington (CVN-73), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Shakedown Cruise, 1992.

USS George Washington, Shakedown Cruise, 1992.

Weapons Department, G-4 Division, Weapons Elevators

USS George Washington (CVN-73), "The First Med Cruise 1994" (20 May–18 November), "The Adventure Begins"

USS George Washington (CVN-73), 1996 Med. Cruise (26 January–23 July 1996).

USS George Washington (CVN-73) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, "RedAss, Anti-Energy Cruise 2000" (21 June–19 December 2000).

USS George Washington (CVN-73) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, "Deliberate Forge/Joint Guardian, Med, Persian Gulf, Adriatic, Operation Southern Watch" (21 June–19 December 2000).

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November: National U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Month.