USA/South Korea — USS George Washington to Visit Republic of Korea

BUSAN, Repub­lic of Korea, July 18, 2010 — USS George Wash­ing­ton, the U.S. Navy’s only per­ma­nent­ly, for­ward-deployed air­craft car­ri­er, will vis­it the Kore­an port of Busan July 21–25, 2010, offi­cials at U.S. Forces Korea announced today.

In addi­tion to USS George Wash­ing­ton, three destroy­ers from its strike group will also visit 

Kore­an ports. USS McCamp­bell and USS John S. McCain will vis­it Busan, and USS Lassen will vis­it Chinhae. 

“The U.S. Navy main­tains a robust for­ward pres­ence in the Asia-Pacif­ic region and the peo­ple of the Repub­lic of Korea are our good friends and allies,” said George Wash­ing­ton com­mand­ing offi­cer Capt. David Laus­man. “Our pres­ence here is a tes­ta­ment to the strength of our alliance and our con­stant readi­ness to defend the Repub­lic of Korea.” 

While in Busan, the George Wash­ing­ton will host a recep­tion for dis­tin­guished mem­bers of the com­mu­ni­ty, and will con­duct a num­ber of guid­ed tours of the 97,000-ton air­craft carrier. 

“For more than 60 years, we have main­tained a strong alliance with the Repub­lic of Korea,” said Laus­man. “My crew is thrilled with the oppor­tu­ni­ty to inter­act with the Kore­an peo­ple and show them their incred­i­ble lev­el of pride and professionalism.” 

While in port about 300 George Wash­ing­ton sailors will vol­un­teer their time to land­scape a home for the elder­ly, vis­it an orphan­age and help make repairs at a local school. 

“These deeds are a small token of good­will on our part towards Korea and lets them know we care,” said George Wash­ing­ton Chap­lain Cmdr. Bri­an Haley. “This is also char­ac­ter build­ing for our sailors, so I think this is real­ly a win-win oppor­tu­ni­ty for them and us.” 

The George Wash­ing­ton depart­ed its for­ward oper­at­ing base of Yoko­su­ka, Japan, on July 9. The ship last vis­it­ed Busan in Octo­ber 2008. 

Source:
U.S. Depart­ment of Defense
Office of the Assis­tant Sec­re­tary of Defense (Pub­lic Affairs)