NORFOLK
The George Washington got under way from Pier 14 at Norfolk Naval Station late Monday morning, bound for its new home in Yokosuka, Japan, as a small, dedicated group of well-wishers waved to it through the whirling drizzle and a fog right out of central casting.
The aircraft carrier's move comes as the Navy looks to improve its reach in the western Pacific.
Its final stop will place the nuclear-
powered ship in the only country ever to be attacked by nuclear weapons. It also will arrive at a time when arrests of American service members have cooled the Japanese view of the U.S. military.
The diplomacy required to address these issues began on the pier Monday, as Navy brass fielded questions from journalists, many from Japan.
Rear Adm. Philip Cullom, commander of the George Washington strike group, spoke of the key role the carrier will play once it joins the Seventh Fleet.
The newer, faster ship replaces the conventionally powered Kitty Hawk and is expected to provide better regional security. As for any nuclear dangers, Capt. Dave Dykhoff, the ship's commanding officer, was reassuring.
"I think the concerns about nuclear power are unfounded," he said. "We have the tightest nuclear program in the world."
Since 2005, when the Japanese government accepted the Navy's request to replace the Kitty Hawk, the U.S. government has had to carefully consider its successor.
All of the other carriers - except the Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan - held a negative association for the Japanese, most related to World War II.
The choice of the George Washington hasn't completely defused the controversy. A group in Yokosuka is trying to keep the ship from docking there.
The George Washington has always been homeported in Norfolk, and its loss brings the region to four carriers. This means a loss of roughly 3,200 local jobs, which, according to local economists, means about $430 million annually.
En route to Japan, the ship heads to Rio de Janeiro, where it will participate in an exercise with forces from Brazil and Argentina. From there, it continues to Valparaiso, Chile, then San Diego, Honolulu and Guam before reaching Yokosuka.
While the ship is under way, sailors will receive cultural and language training to ready them for life in Japan.
"We will endeavor to show them what good citizens we are," Dykhoff said.
Some 200 to 300 families will be relocating to Japan as part of the carrier move.
Stacy Powell plans to move herself and two children from Atlanta to Yokosuka in May, to be with husband and father Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Powell.
The family will be there at least three years.
The couple's 11-year-old daughter, Justice, is ready to go. "I'm not sad about leaving," she said.
Powell shares her daughter's anticipation and has no concerns "other than finding some clothes that fit on these long legs," she said, laughing.
The biggest cheering section was for Seaman Brian Gartee of Chesapeake, whose departure brought out his wife, Eugenia, her parents, sisters, friends and the couple's 13-month-old daughter, Mya. All waved neon farewell signs.
Eugenia Gartee played the good spouse to the end, talking to her husband on her cell phone as she waved at the small white-capped head far above. And as the ship's departure drew nigh and the sailors emerged to man the rails, she was able to tell him to go get in line.
The ship's lines were freed just before 11 a.m., and two tugs slid into place behind it. A Navy band struck up a tune to push back the rain, and the carrier got under way.
Within five minutes, the George Washington was out of the pier and turning toward the Chesapeake Bay. In another five, it had slipped into the fog.
Gray on gray, it disappeared.
Matthew Jones, (757) 446-2949, matthew.jones@pilotonline.com
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Politics Aside...
All politics aside, I want to wish my sailor son a farewell and smooth sailing. All of us who would have given the world to be in Norfolk to wish our sailors goodbye, want everyone to know that we will miss them and how very proud we are of them. I had to tell my sailor goodbye from the midwest. I'm praying for them everyday and I am trusting God to care for my son. I dont understand the politics of it all, what I do know is that my son is sacrificing his family, friends and a lovely girlfriend to "man" this vessel. Please join me in supporting these wonderful men and women!
Welcome George!
Even though US service men's misconducts occur from time to time, we know they are isolated cases. Silent majority of Japanese, especially who see the world seriously, can't thank more for US forces' contribution in this region. You can't imargine what's it like living next door to cultic communist countries who toy with nukes. As Japan still wish and try to be a responsible member of the world society without becoming a military power (call us naive), US-Japan military alliance is fundamental base of peace and prosperity here, so crucial and invisible like air we breathe. I bet most of Geroge Washington's crew will enjoy staying in Yokosuka where a hour train ride bring you to dazzling city of Tokyo, beautiful forest & hot spa of Hakone, or 800-year old temple city of Kamakura. From Chesapeake Bay to Tokyo Bay, welcome to Japan. A lot of friendly & nice people await you, USS George Washington.
Support
I am glad so many of you have such undying support for our sailors at sea. I was born and raised here but the attitudes of you folks make me pray for a transfer. Support at home... what a crock of BS.
As if that matters. Japan
As if that matters. Japan has nuclear power plants. In fact, they have the largest nuclear power plant in the world. A little ironic, isn't it?
Basically -
If you were attacked by nuclear weapons by the United States and you were the only country to be attacked by such weapons, would you want a nuclear ship in your backyard? Probably not. So, it's pretty monumental that the United States and Japan have worked out a deal and are trying to be at peace.
There you have it. The simple version. Hope this helps.
As the wife of a sailor on
As the wife of a sailor on the GW, it makes me sad that this should be an article about our carrier leaving it's home to work with other countries and improve diplomacy- and it's turning into something else. Let's wish them a safe trip and good luck instead.
The problem is with the name
If we didn't let politics choose the names of our carriers, we could send just about any one of them to Japan. Instead of naming them as was done in the past after Revolutionary War battles or famous ships from that era, we had to play politics and start naming them after people. It's the Japanese that are protesting having a nuclear powered carrier there: not any American. It's also the Japanese that have dictated which ship is sent there by the name of it, and again, not any American. This isn't a 'liberal' or 'conservative' issue, but one of diplomacy. Apparently, keeping Japan happy must be pretty important if we are allowing them to pick which ship replaces the Kitty Hawk.
re: Ignorance
You're right. It doesn't and it's not. Nuclear power and nuclear weapons are two different things but I guess it serves to stir the pot.
Who gives a damn
about a nuclear ship in Japan? What is the relevance? More liberal attempts to stir things up.
Goodbye
Goodbye GW. So glad I got to see you one last time on Saturday and see where you will keep my husband safe & sound.
And to my sweet husband, he knows who he is, see you soon.
Forgive the ignorance
Perhaps I will learn more by asking the question: "The ship is making history as the first nuclear-powered carrier based in the only nation ever to be attacked by nuclear weapons." What does that matter? How is that really important?
Loss of local jobs?
If you mean the sailors onboard GW then no they did not loose their jobs. I love the media’s twist on the economy. No we are not in a recession either but the media will try to run with this because the war issue has no more traction for there friends on the left.
BYE DIZZY
Bye Dizzy!! Reggie, the kids, and I and everybody else will miss you! We are never going to loose touch, we love you!!!